Dear Pam,

when did you start the lithium again?

lithium prevents cycling but acts primarily above baseline, i.e. it treats and prevents mania. if one does get manic or hypo, depression often follows. if you were already in an upswing the lithium may have treated it but at that point depression could still follow, and lithium would not do much for that. you may find that it is transient, or you may need a little extra medical help with it, if it persists. take it one day at a time for now, and do call your doc next week if you still feel bad.

i recommend you keep a mood chart and write your meds in it too, since things are changing on both fronts. it will help you get a better longitudinal picture, and it will help your doc help you. in the long run, it will help you keep tabs on your response to different meds, difficult to remember when there are many meds and changing needs.



~ waves ~

Hi

I see my doctor next Tuesday. I think I am going to ask to go back on Zyprexa again. My pain level is through the roof and I was able to walk 6 miles a day on Zyprexa. There is a lot I don't like about Zyprexa but it sure made a difference in my pain. So sick of it all!

Pam

Hi Pam,

well Zyprexa will DEFINITELY help with the cycling!

i am glad the Zyprexa helps you with pain. learned something new here... i didn't know it could do that!

maybe if the side effects are a problem or if you are at a risk for metabolic disturbances, you can work out a plan with your doc to can take it part of the time but suspend it periodically. especially if you have other meds that work for a while but poop tend to poop out or require dose increases - you could alternate those with Zyprexa maybe.

just an idea.

~ waves ~

Hi

Zyprexa taking hold so my pain is letting up. A little up and down mood wise. Yesterday I was depressed. I cycle many times a day. ugh! Thanks so much for your support!

Pam

i am surprised it is not helping with the cycling! how much do you take?

i am glad that it is helping with the pain so you feel better though! thanks for checking in!

~ waves ~

I am glad that you checked in thanks!
bizi

Hi

I take 5mg of Zyprexa a day. Pam

oh ok. that is a pretty low dose. if you continue to cycle ask your pdoc about increasing it even just to 10, just for a short term...

i am familiar with its side effects (first-hand ) so i don't know if that would be acceptable (or safe) for you. i'd read that the side-effects are not dose related but... it kinda seemed to me that the more i took the hungrier i got... for starters.

wishing you well!

~ waves ~

Dear Pam,
I don't have any med help with this one, but I do want to wish you well.
M.

Hi

I'll ask about the dosage. I think it would help me to get a little job of some sort.
I know what you mean by appetite problems on Zyprexa. I have food fantasies all the time.

Pam