Hi,
Hope you’re ok today.
You know how much I talk about medications and your loved one, and how you need to make sure they stay on their medications, right?
Well, I’ve had so many supporters write me to tell me their loved ones struggle with side effects from their medications that I decided to offer some suggestions on what you can do to help them with some of these side effects.
In my courses/systems below:
SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11
SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarparenting.com
HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.survivebipolar.net
I have a whole section on all the side effects of bipolar medications and what to do about them, but here I’ll just go over the most common ones.
DRY MOUTH
This is one of the biggest side effects of bipolar medication. One of the things your loved one can do is to chew gum or suck on hard candy (make sure, if they have diabetes, that it’s sugarless candy, though).
Another thing is that your loved one can do to help with dry mouth is that they can suck or chew on ice chips.
NAUSEA
Another common side effect is nausea, and what they can do about this is to take their medication with food, or to eat a few crackers or a dry piece of toast.
If your loved one takes their medication in the morning or during the day, some doctors even tell their patients to take their medication at night instead if nausea is a bad problem for them.
WEIGHT GAIN
Unfortunately, this is a common problem with bipolar medication. The best way to combat this problem is with a proper diet and a good exercise program.
Other people have changed medications to other types of medications that do not make you gain weight, or at least as much weight as other medications.
However, I am NOT a doctor, and cannot advise you in this regard. All I can tell you is to contact your loved one’s doctor if they are having a problem with their weight because of their medication.
FATIGUE
If this is a problem for your loved one, have them talk to their doctor about it, so that the doctor can have your loved one take their medication at night instead of in the morning or during the day.
In most cases, you will find the doctor to be very cooperative, and this will solve the problem.
CONSTIPATION/DIARRHEA
If your loved one experiences either of these problems, over-the-counter medications are probably best.
If constipation or diarrhea continue to be a problem, however, it is best to contact their doctor for advice.
NOTE: These are just common side effects to bipolar medications.
If your loved one experiences any serious side effects like heart problems or problems breathing, contact their doctor right away, as they may be having a reaction to the medication.
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David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.
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Just wanted to add that a lot of the meds used also have the side effect of causing Diabetes so anyone on one of these drugs needs to have routine blood work done to be sure they have not acquired Diabetes. Diabetes is not curable, but like Bipo, it can be managed. Thanks for all the info you provide for us.
For tried them all: I hope you read this as I have pneumonia and won’t be online very long today but my Psych said that your cousin’s boyfriend in New York is giving you poor advice and to not do the “thing” you know what I mean!!! that he suggested for you to do. I will try to get an email to you today but I am pretty sick and may not have the energy. Your friend as always, Helen
i can certainly understand not liking the side effects from the meds, but when the right combination is found for an individual, that is what stabilizes them. the right doctor(s) is key in finding the right combination of meds. the wrong meds can be dangerous as well. that is why the doctor(s) need to be very involved in this process.
otherwise, individuals either do not take their meds at all or self medicate with street drugs and alcohol. the side effects from street drugs and alcohol are very very dangerous and addictive. if you can take street drugs and drink alcohol, then you can take your medication. these are just temporary bandaids that do not work. i know by watching a loved on try this…
it is very frustrating watching a loved one self destruct. but the reality is, there is nothing you can do unless they want to change their approach to the situation.
i know it is a struggle to find the right doctor and meds, but i would rather go thru that struggle (with my bp loved one) rather then dealing with the alcohol and street drugs. it is a much much healthier struggle. see, the supporter can help/assist in finding the right doctors, research etc. when the bp loved one does not help themselves, we as supporters are utterly useless to them.
we feel the pain too. not the bp pain, but a different type of pain. i do not know what else to say. i do not blame anyone else for my situation, or get mad at anyone. it is just sad and painful…
todd
of course the weight gain is a factor…but how do you get them to exercise and watch what they eat? My wife refuses to do any of that. i have asked her countless times, can we go for a little walk, it’s nice out now? NO! is the answer. She is finally slowing down on how much and how often she eats but is very unhappy about the weight she has gained but doesn’t want to do anything about it. She stays in her room in bed all day and nothing I can do or say will change her mind. I have talked to her Dr. and he has said little.
I am SO tired and frustrated with this thing.
and all you get from them is that they want to stop taking their medication. maybe that isn;t a bad idea, but first let me secure ALL the assets this time and distance myself from you and may God have mercy on those who you will unfortunately come in contact with mentally, physically, and sexually.
I would like to hear if other’s have any knowledge or experience with weather patterns and bipolar episodes. I experienced something this weekend that just has me amazed.
This was a useful email. I liked that it wasn’t about you.
to rahnalan@yahoo.com:
i have a question:
why didn’t you just tell us the name of the secret acient remedy in the blog?
instead you wanted to be emailed.
todd
god bless you and bless your mother too. i would like to know if lithium is a good drug to take for bp.
i appreciate all that you have done for the sufferers and their supporters (if they are fotunate to have any).
Thank you for the side effect information but do have any suggestion for hair loss
Hi Dave, this is my first time to react by mail. Just read your considerations about side effects. I would like to mention one side-effect that has not been mentionned in your list. Incidence on sexuality … please don’t think that this is just a bipolar obsession, but I have shared with many bipolar friends, and this was mentionned quite often. Mostly it seems to come from anti-depressents (Effexor for instance), others like Prozac are probably having the same effect: for men, an incidence on erection (from what I heard), and for women, anorgasmy. It is quite dreadful to be with you husband or friend, badly wanting to make love, and desiring him, and not being able to enjoy it! Of course, of course … some bipolar people with (hypo)mania are very busy with sexuality during that episode of their sickness … but it is very frustrating to become stable, to be very motivated to go on with treatment … and having to put up with this kind of side-effect. You add to it dry mouth (not great for a teacher hey?) and constipation …. makes me feel great … for a stable bipolar person …. who cares for sex anyway? ;-)))
Dear David, I have no other words but thank you for the kindness for sharing all these tips to us. More power to you!
I am hoping someone can help me with this. I take care of an 81 year old with bipolar, rapid cycler. I have to take her to her Doctor appt’s, dentist, hairdresser, shopping, etc. When we are at her house she is so nasty to me and down right health sick before we go out, pretty much the whole day. When we get to where we have to go, say the Doctor, she is the sweetest lady, sits there so demure and meek, smiles and even laughs. Answer’s questions, where an hour ago she could not put two and two together. Then when we get back to her house, she rips me apart again. Can someone please explain this to me? I was so totally frustrated today. I know this doesn’t have any reference to the topic today, but it bothers me as to why this constantly happens. I am her main supporter. Thanks all.
To JEANNIE: To answer your question as to why/how the woman you’re taking care of, acts one way with her doctor and another way with you – some, if not most, bipolars are teriffic actors!!
I performed in high school plays, and a couple of professional plays as well. I found that the characters I played, made it VERY easy to fool those around me, as I was quite convincing when I was manic. Of course, the old lady might just be giving you a hard time BECAUSE she CAN, and she KNOWS she can get away with it with you because you ALLOW her to.
I suggest you talk to her doctor, and explain all the bizarre behavior the woman “acts” with you, and see if he can come to a conclusion as to whether she’s “faking” her disorder, or is really having “fun” with you and your reaction to her outbursts.
I KNOW it’s not EASY dealing with the aged, as their minds have a tendency to wander and they live in the past. She probably doesn’t want to be reminded that she’s “losing it,” and takes it out on YOU.
What you need to do is set boundaries with her as far as her behavior is concerned. Let her know you won’t accept her belligerance toward you, and that you WANT her to “behave” around you. After all, it’s YOU who have to deal with her on a daily basis, and you SHOULDN’T have to be acting as a locus parentis with her. She’s an ADULT, and should act like it. Just make sure she’s on the right meds and can understand what you’re trying to do with her.
Other than that, I’m not a doctor OR a therapist – but I have been there 😉
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good.
Thankyou Suzanne. I am getting some great advice. It makes sense. I am thinking I am handling it right, but then she throws me a curve. I tell her her behavior is not acceptable but I don’t think she takes me serious. I can be somewhat of a mush when it comes to the elderly. It’s funny but sometimes when she does this I am thinking to myself, you are playing me. She was very spoiled as a child. An only child. I think someone else hit it on the head, she is acting like a child. I will have to change my tactic’s. I am after all still learning. That’s why I am on Dave’s site. Thankyou. Much appreciated.
Hi, Dave… I beleive my friend Dave Ledesma leddave@comcast.net has told you about me…I have a 13 y.o. daughter who keeps ending up in juvi in San Joaquin C., CA. We have no mental heath care for kids or teenagers to speak of, unless you have LOTS of money! I am disabled and live on Soc. Sec., so my daughter has mediCal…There is one psychiatrist for thousands of kids. Her meds are wrong, and he couldn’t care less. As of tomorrow morning, the judge is handing temp (hopefully0 CUSTODY TO MY BROTHER! As if bp goes away if you move in with people who don’t beleive in her disease! Of course, they don’t think I’m disabled, just lazy. They look at my exhaustion and think they are seeing drug use! I’m not, other than light pain meds required for a severe neural disease. The judge refused me a lawyyer, knowing I have no money (saying he would talk S-L-O-W-L-Y, as if that could replace legal knowledge! Anybody have any ideas how to get my daughter back? Her other choice was to go to a treatment home for a year, which would be great, but my family insisted on butting in…judge demanded thier phone #. I miss her so much…what is WRONG with these people?!!!!! I can’t afford a lawyer…
To alleviate nausea associated with bi-polar medications, especially in the morning,after years if dealing with this problem, I find drinking an ice cold can of coca cola is the best and quickest remedy.
The most important consideration is at all costs to continue your drug maintenance programme and if taking lithium to have regular blood tests to assess at an earlystage problems with your kidneys.This is essential and the relevant indicator in your blood test is creatanine. Always ask your doctor if creatanine is within normal limits. If your creatanine level is elevated it means imediately that your kidney function is compromised. Lithium therapy can be replaced easily with carbamazine ( tegretol) with the same success.
What about memory loss? the person I support has a lot of short term memory loss, we think, due to Zyprexa. Any alternatives or suggestions?
regarding CONSTIPATION, i have bi-polar and have found using Psyllium seed husks to be very helpful in regards to constipation, I drink it with cordial or juice every morning & its Great, i recommend it to everyone! You can buy it at a health food store
i would just like to add that my fiance’ has also had to get kidney function tests done due to the topamax that he’s taking. also i don’t know which medication caused it but when he takes his medicine he also experiences erectile dysfunction.
Hello!
My sister is having problems currently, with her health, and the symptoms that you have described she has experienced plus having to do dialasys three days a week too. She says that her meds. that she needs to take don’t give the help that they are suppose to give, and the drs. want her to take it. So we have a problem with the meds, that she is suppose to take, and she is currently struggling as it is not easy for her where she is . Our mom is in the convelesent center
recovering from her broken hip . She is also recovering from a schematic stroke that has affected her speech, and her memory . So she is going through a lot emotionally speaking, has support during the day, but not during the evening when she is alone. She does have a neighbor who is not a young woman, but one in her 80’s . She is the only one who is close. The others live much farther apart. So that is her situation right now. Meds are being taken it’s the night time that is the hard part.