Bipolar Support Group

I feel like crap. About 2 months ago I fell and hurt my lower back and thought it was better but everytime I spend 12-14 hours manic and cleaning it goes to killing me again. I have taken so many motrin, tylenol and aleve, then last weekend went camping and took some vicodin for 3-4 days and didn't hurt at all but I have been very addicted to drugs and don't plan on going there again. I have been to 2 different doctors and tell them I'm hurting all over like arthritis pain but my back is really hurting the most. They think because I'm bi-polar it's depression or in my head or something but I know when I can't stand or sit for long at all it's not depression.

To add to the pain I have been cycling every 3-4 days with really big highs and lows. I have been trying to get on the right med combo for 2 years now and I have a hard time with a lot of the meds and side effects. Right now I am on depakote 1500mg a day and zyprexa for the mania. I take 4 benadryl at night to sleep after stopping ambien for amnesia reasons. I should call the pdoc but I go see her in 2 weeks and I see the therapist thursday so she may be able to help.

I wish I had enough sense to slow down when I'm manic and not over do things and when I'm depressed I wish I would get up and exercise and do more. I really wish I did'nt hurt all over and especially in my back. I also wish I would not cycle as much but you know what they say about wishing - wish in one hand and s*** in the other and see which one fills up faster.

rkc,

You are on 2 meds designed to treat mania. Have you ever considered taking an anti-depressant like Wellbutrin or Prozac? I've been taking the latter since January and although it took 8 weeks to start working, I'm doing much, much better in terms of my depression. My episodes aren't as frequent in number nor as severe.

rkc,

You may also want to consider Klonopin for your rapid cycling. I take it to help control mine and instead of cycling every hour and sometimes every minute, I don't even cycle once/day.

rkc,

I just wanted to add that when I refer to your depression, I'm referring to your bipolar depression -- not your other health conditions. By the way, I'm sorry to hear about your back pain. My brother in law has severe back pain, has been through multiple surgeries and is now waiting to have yet another surgery which is quite extensive in nature, but one his doctors believe will help give him some relief.

Thanks neondreams for your response - I do take prozac during the winter for severe winter depression but come the spring my pdoc stops it due to going way manic. I'm going to ask about the klonopin when I go back in 2 weeks.

My freaking back hurts so bad that it's radiating around the front and feels like menstual cramps. I've taken motrin and not wanting to go to the doc or er because I just don't think they can do anything to make the pain go away right now.

There are some mild stretching exercises you can do for back pain. Also muscle relaxers are not as addicting as pain killers. I messed my back up a while back and doing stretching exercises along with muscle relaxers and using hot and cold pads helped it go away. You could call your dr and ask about the stretching exercises. I found mine online by googling my particular area of back pain.

rkc,

You brought up a really interesting concern about Prozac and mania during the spring. I have difficulty with mania and hypomania during the spring and summer months. As a result, I've been debating whether or not to stop my Prozac as well. When I asked people here on MDJ for their opinion, the majority said I should keep it in my regimen. In other words, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I think I'm going to discuss this further with my pdoc. He gave me permission to take Klonopin 4x/day for mania on a PRN basis, but I'm going to ask what his thought are on this just for curiosity's sake.

As for your back pain...ouch! It sounds quite painful. I had severe back pain for several months after I slept the wrong way. I needed PT for quite awhile and I can still remember how much pain I was in. Many times I hurt so much that I was in tears. I feel for you. I really do. I hope you're able to find a med or treatment to give you some relief. Lord knows you deserve it.

rkc,

I take back what I said about talking to my pdoc about Prozac. It just occurred to me that if I stop taking Prozac, I could start rapid cycling again. I'd better leave well enough alone.

Let us know what your pdoc says about Klonopin. I know it has been a real godsend for me when it comes to controlling my rapid cycling.

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Post edited by: flux, at: 06/28/2010 05:22 PM