Tremor, memory loss and psych meds

[yerfren7]

I have been on a variety of meds for a form of bi-polar. In the last few weeks, my symptoms of tremors and memory loss (things like SS#, phone #) and feeling like I'm in a fog. Friends that hadn't seen me in months, came over and were shocked. Told me that I seemed like a zombie and that's how I feel. I have gotten off the psych meds but am still experiencing symptoms but it's only been a few days. The neurologist said I don't have Parkinsons but could tell me nothing else. These symptoms make me "vacant" in social  situations and I just can't "keep up" so it makes me just want to isolate. I got a letter from a friend who saw me recently and she is VERY concerned at the change. Any help?

[HVAC]

I am Bipolar, but am mostly depressive. I take Depakote and several other drugs. I can no longer tolerate lithium, which is fine for most people. I finally have a great Psychiatrist, I went through at least 50 not my own choosing and trusted few until this one. I have been on just about every psychiatric medication there is starting in 1978 with Stelazine talk about Zhombie. At one point they had me on so many meds the pharmacist had to talk to the Doctor with each refill because it was a legal overdose. I have had new thinking and memory problems for two years. My regular Doctor, Psychiatrist, and several Neurologists have concluded  the new problem is neurological. Recently with my Psychiatrist's guidance we reduced different medications and it turned out I still had trouble thinking and became really depressed. When he told me I should go back up I did what he said. Stopping these drugs quickly can make a person sick. Last time I lost my insurance and went off my meds for a year I got really nuts, I don't hear voices or behave strangely but you did not want to be in my head. A Doctor treating me for pnemonia got me back on Depakote.  If you really feel you must go off the medication do it with a Doctor of some sort. The Psychiatrist and I work together to find the right mixture for me and it is an ongoing process. No two people react to these drugs the same way. Having a Doctor you trust is so important. I pay this guy cash and don't go through my insurance because he is not in network. If I have too many side effects we try something else. The key to my Bipolar is it tells me I can handle it on my own, I don't need meds or Doctors, that is when I need them the most.

You gave me hope. I realize it whas been an over thirty year struggle and over fifty psychiatrists to deal with my Bipolar and I did not give up.  I have only been dealing with four Neurologists over two years and have not found an answer to whether I have MS or not thats nothing. Perspective!

Hang in there.

[PastorDan]

Ask your doc, but I think that Depakote is only for the "up" side of bipolar.  I don't know how one is supposed to transition off of it when returning to a stable phase, but I do know that it is strongly recommended that the drug not be discontinued suddenly.  Were you aware that you are not supposed to take more than one aspirin a day with it?  Taking more than that can cause Depakote to accumulate in the bloodstream to much higher levels than intended.  I don't know if that would cause the symptoms you've experienced.

I've been on it for about 3.5 weeks for migraine, prescribed by the neurologist I've written about here since who knows when, but whose last chance to redeem himself was Thursday.  One of the things about which I plan to inform my PCP is that I'd like to get off Depakote as soon as possible, and I'll take my chances with the possibility of another migraine, since I hadn't had had one in 12 years.

[yerfren7]

I had been on depakote for months and my husband described me as "vacant" for a long time, then I seemed to stabilize and then these symptoms became more and more intense. I talked with my psych and told her that I wanted to get off all the meds. I felt like **** and was shaking. My friends that hadn't seen me in months were SHOCKED at how I was. Zombie-like and shaking uncontrollably.

[PastorDan]

I agree with Wobbly.  One of the worst problems in trying to treat bipolar, depression, and related conditions is that patients often stop the medication designed to help them without discussing their concerns with their doctor.  I know as well as anyone that the "drug of choice" for any given condition won't work with all patients all the time.  Your doctor surely knows this, too, and should be concerned enough to research alternatives that will still provide the treatment you likely still need, but will avoid the side effects you are experiencing with this drug.  That brings me to another question: are you certain that the most recent drug is the culprit, and not some other medical condition?

[Wobbly]

were you like this before you took the meds?  How long were you on these meds and how long have you been off them.  

need more information on this.. what does your Dr think...

let us know how things go...

wobbly
undx