Saphris/bipolar

[olkittylo]

So earlier this year I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. My doctor put me on Wellbutrin and Saphris. I've been compliant with the Wellbutrin but I've only taken Saphris once, maybe twice. My doctor never told me about the side effects so I took it right after I left her office and was driving home. That was stupid. Needless to say, I hauled ass. I could hardly stand but I ran up the stairs into my apartment cause I knew I just needed to lay down. I slept for 12 hours and still felt like groggy the next day. I think that was the first and last time took it.

I have an appointment to see my doctor again in 2 days and the last time I saw her, I lied and told her that Saphris was working for me. I really don't know why I did that to be honest because I don't even want it. I really don't think I'm bipolar cause I can control my mood swings with certain people. My boyfriend is bipolar and I'm nothing like him when he has his moments. I don't want to be on Saphris, I guess I just want something I can take when I need it. The whole weight gain and dyskinesias scares me, and I need to be able to get up in the mornings and not feel like shit the next day.

I had asked my psychiatrist before if there was such thing as a pill that clears your head. She said there was. Anyone know what that might be? I'm just the type of person that worries a lot, and if something is bothering me, I can't stop thinking about it. I'm still able to function at work but somehow those thoughts come crawling right back into my head. I guess I just want something that would clear my head and make me "not care." I can't help but worry and it leads to anxiety which I'm already prescribed Xanax by my PCP. It calms me down and helps with the shortness of breath but it doesn't clear my head so eventually it all starts back up again.

[blueandgray]

This might be really bad advice - I am so sorry if it is - please, those who know more than I do, speak up...

I am also one of those "might-be bipolar" folks. Most of the time you hear that people who have BD should not take stimulants, but I have racing thoughts all the time that make it impossible to function. I took a gamble last month and brought up Adderall to my doc. He hesitantly agreed to let me try it. It has really helped.

I am not taking it every day. I am too scared that it might cause mania. But I am in grad school, and I have some serious paper writing to do. It has actually helped me focus. I am on the tiniest dose available, and I am going to keep it that way if I can. But for those times when I really, really need a clear head, it has helped.

It's worth discussing, at least.

[olkittylo]

I've actually been on Adderall for 2 years now. Since its been hard to find them lately my doctor prescribed me the 30 mg extended release capsules. I'm so dependent on it now though. I work for a doctor as a transcriptionist which requires me to sit in front of a computer alllll day just typing. I can't go a day without it, I'd never get anything done. Since I started seeing this doctor I've been careful with what I say cause I don't want her to try and wean me off the Adds. It helps keep me focused on my work but doesn't help with my thoughts. I don't have any crazy thoughts or voices in my head. I'm just constantly thinking about everything that's stressing me out at the moment. For example, I'm over whelmed with work and a month behind on one of the doctors, I can't catch up cause the work keeps stacking up. I'm so frustrated I could cry. But I can sit at my desk and type exactly what I'm suppose but my mind is thinking of something else. I was suicidal when I was younger but after going in the psych ward, that will never happen again. I just did it for attention. I know I've always been depressed though, and when everything is going wrong I feel like I hit rock bottom. I know things could be worse but I worry like there's no tomorrow. I guess I just want something I can take at that moment like Xanax cause I worry about things that aren't that big of a deal. I feel like my thoughts are going to drive me crazy. It jumps from once scene to the next, to another and another. Or if something is bothering me its like on repeat all day.

[smurf2050]

I took Saphris last spring until I got really crazy. The feel so drunk right now gotta ---zzzzzz----feeling never went away. I kept thinking I'd acclimate, but I never did. Of the meds I take, I think the mood stabilizers help most with clarity of mind. When I eat clean (rarely) that brings on clarity too. By clean I mostly mean no white floor, sugar, processed foods.

[crtclms]

You really need to give Saphris more of a chance. Yes, it can be extremely sedating, but for a lot of people that wears off after a few weeks, the way many side effects do. You have to allow side effects to run their course, unless you have a life-threatening reaction. If the side effects don't clear up for you in a few weeks, *then* is when it is time to discuss trying something new with your pdoc.

And really, taking a new medication right before you drive? I don't think it is fair to blame the Saphris for that.

Please tell your pdoc what happened, as in, when you *truly* stopped taking it, and why, even though it may be embarrassing. You are not the first, and will not be the last patient who has quit a medication without consulting their pdoc, it is a common feature of psychiatric illnesses. But s/he needs to know, or you will not receive proper treatment.