Bipolar Depression

Hi everyone... I'm new to this and thought it would be a really good part of my health maintainence.

I am very lucky; my bipolar is largely under control at the moment and I am working and living a very happy life. There are, however, a few bed bugs, and fatigue is one of them.

I am on lithium, efexor (venlafaxine) and endep (amitryptaline). I tire very easily and will almost always have a nap through the day if I can. I can push through and work when I have to.

I have always been a sleepy person, but have gotten alot worse with all the meds. I've been on different ones over the years and know that most have fatigue as a side effect. I guess I just want to know if this is normal for a bipolar person on medication and if so, what strategies you out there have in place.

Thanks for your time - any tips greatly appreciated.

Chrissy.

How long have you been on the medication? When I first went on Depakote, I was a zombie - I would be dizzy all day I'd be so tired. I'm talking like almost nodding off standing up. This went on for a couple of months, but, at my doc's insistence, I stuck with it and the fatigue eventually wore off.

Also, I find that taking my meds at night before I go to bed is helpful - I mostly do this because my meds burn my stomach...an unfortunate side effect I haven't figured out a way around yet.

Which one is Depakote??? I am in Australia, and I've heard of this drug and think it is a trade name in the US. Anyway, I've been on the lithium and venlafaxine (effexor) for over a year now. The amitryptaline (endep) has been a newish addition to help with my sleep and I take it at night. I was told to take the venlafaxine at day time; apparently it can cause insomnia. The lithium unfortunately is in a split dose, twice a day. Thank you so much for your reply, it is great to know I'm not alone!

definetely some meds have their side effects. I'm on lamictal and buspirone and i had lexapro just added last week. I can barely function. I am so exhausted through the day. Then at night, I fall right to sleep but then am awake for most of the night. Talk about a roller coaster So i may change my lexapro to nights but i worry that it wont last long enough through the next day ... i'm going to try it starting tonight. Talk with your doctor. There are so many medication options these days

I am betting your Lithium is the culprit. When I was taking it I was drowsy and fatigued all throughout the day.

Are you on the extended release or the regular? There is a difference, I found.

Also, you said you take it twice a day. What if you were to split it into 3 doses per day rather than 2. I eventually had to do that.

If you decide to alter when you take any of your meds, you are best advised to run it by your psychiatrist. Because meds do tend to interact with each other and some meds can not be safely taken with another at the same time OR so close in consuming another.

Thanks for your responses, I do appreciate your responses very much. I have a bit to think about and consult with my GP, too. Hope you are all feeling well and in control.

Hi Crissy, i need to talk also. I am in the begining stages of bipolar disorder. I take lithium now and seem to be doing well. They put me on venlafaxine at one point which made me tired all the time. I ask my doctor to change meds and he said just let them work. I am very stubborn and ask to change he said no so i said i will not take them anymore he was mad. With not taking them i knew i had to supplament so i started jogging it helps more than you know. I believe exersize is key to help with my depression. Hope this helps tom.

Hey Tom, sorry for the late reply, haven't been on here for ages. Yes, I find that exercise helps too. I have started having vitamin b injections which are also helping. Hope you are well! Chrissy.