Which one of your medications has changed your life?

Hi, I'm MEANT to be taking Aripiprozole for my bipolar disorder. The first 3 times I took it last year I felt no side effects but thought I was better so stopped. I'm not very well at the moment & should be taking it, but this time it has given me SEVERE agitation/anxiety so I stopped taking it. Seeing my psychiatrist today. Please can other people share their experiences of using this medication with me. Did you suffer from agitation when first taking it? If so, for how long until it wore off. How long did you find it took to kick in? I have been told 2-4 weeks approx. I am feeling very paranoid & concerned I am becoming more manic. Any info greatly appreciated cos I don't want to take it but my CPN & hubby getting very concerned about me now. Thanks in advance, Jude71

I have been taking venlafaxine for about 13 years, mostly 225 mg XL although I am now taking only 150 mg. I have bipolar disorder and this medication is apparently not the best thing for this condition. I have tried to come off it very gradually but the withdrawal was so awful that I went back on it and am not intending to try withdrawal any time soon (if ever)

I find venlafaxine makes my mood a bit hypo, not outright mania but hypo enough to make me unable to focus and my cognitive skills are not as good as they should be.

Hi my name is sue .l have just joined this group I found the survey not helpful because it only ask about one problem iv got. Anyway I have got spondyloathropee. Osteoarthritis. Conaranery artery disease. Hypothyroidism. Acid reflux. And central nerve pain witch I get pain anywhere in my body where there is nothing wrong. I'm on a lot of meds. I go to see rheumatology once a year. My mane concerns is spondyloathropee and central nerve pain. Because I get a lot of pain in my feet aspecially my heels and tops of feet.when I am at rest thay are fine put when I get up to stand on them. the pain is so bad it brings tears in my eyes. Has any one got any answers. Thank you 

Ok I accept I am type 2 diabetic those tablets I can cope with I understand the benefits of taking them. I was diagnosed with depression 3 years ago. I was put on Fluoxetine but after a few weeks this drug gave me a head ache. The Doctor put me on citalopram 20mg. The reason I write is I am concerned about being on these for ever more. I feel Doctors don't really get to root of the cause. Surely the more you use a drug the less effective it becomes. But not once was I asked why I was feeling depressed. The underlying cause was an end to a abusive marriage. But its easy for doctors to describe the tablets and allow you to go away and keep taking them.

I would like to come off them after being treated for the reason not by tablet. I have run out recently and waiting to pick some more up so have had a head ache for a few days which I can only assume is caused by the drug now being totally out the system. If money was  no issue I would move to Devon by a dog and go walking because I am sure that's a lot more effective  way of dealing with this awful sickness.

when I am down I am told to pull my socks up get over it smile and snap out of it and I bet if I asked any one of you on here some time in your struggle that's been said to you. I am not sad right now far from it. From my point of view its a struggle and anxiety of issues I can no longer control and out of my hands. I am not asking for a cure.

I am asking medical staff to be a little less stand offish with people when they come to you. Step away from your computer and engage with your patience once more and talk to them,

My aim one day is stop taking the citalopram for good with out side effects. 

if you do come off citalopram you should do it slowly not just stop. reduce the dosage slowly

Hi, I am on 150mg of Pregabalin at night to help me sleep. I am supposed to take 150mg in the morning too but it turns me in to a zombie! I had a serious back injury(compression fracture of my L1 vertebrae) and my anxiety and depression seem to have gotten worse since then. I have suffered from depression since my teens and have been on various medications over the years. The Anxiety is a "new" symptom for me and I am finding that is the worst thing to cope with. I need to seemt GP again to review my anxiety as the Pregabalin is just too strong for daytime use. I also take 600mg Ibuprofen 3 times a day and occasionally have to use cocodamol too. I also take Omeprazole to help protect my stomach, it doesn't seem to help much, as I still suffer from "a dodgy tummy" every day. I do feel the Pregabalin helps with sleep, infact I don't sleep if I don't take it, which I know is not good. I think a review is defo on the cards.

I am taking lots  of meds at the moment. But my question is about gabapentin I am on 1200 mg a day. The doctor has put them up over the last year because of the pain. Thay seem to help for a few months. The question is how much of these I can take.i have osteoarthritis as well and it worries me that I won't feel the pain for that.its like I was in bed the other night and I started to to get very hot but I could feel a pausing in my back with no pain and it has happened before in some other joints. Thank you in the would be nice to hear from someone with the same problem. 

Blue Badge for over 65's on Attendance Allowance ..

I have just submitted an application for a Blue Badge at our local council office. I receive Attendance Allowance - Have physio on a regular basis, (Hydrotherapy) see a specialist for Osteo-Arthritis (Hips & knees) (ankles) Advanced Spondylitis. Raynaud's Syndrome. I have trouble walking and getting dressed, getting in or out of the car (need car door wide open) getting in or out of the bath etc.. Anyhow, took all the relevant evidence to the receptionist and she photocopied all appointment dates with physio, appointments with Rheumatologist (Specialist) Attendance Allowance award letter etc... The receptionist checked the form; and all was filled in correctly. She then exclaimed " you probably will not be awarded a Blue Badge" I asked why? She said because you do not have enough evidence to support your application! I cannot think of any more evidence I could have submitted. My GP is supportive and assumed that the local authority would contact her? Receptionist said it's up to you to supply a letter from your GP or specialist. I exclaimed that there was no guideline anywhere on the form for walking difficulties, that required such evidence; the form only asks for permission to contact GP's or specialists; and that AA should qualify one for a Blue Badge! I'm quite annoyed at the response of the Receptionist; I'll be even more annoyed if I'm refused a badge.

I'm 68, years young next birthday, and believe that if we are not allowed to claim mobility; then AA should qualify one for A Blue Badge.
I await their decision >> in hope

Ibuprofen 400mg,  Paracetamol 500mg  Omeprazole 20mg; and just been prescribed Pregabalin 25mg.  Not too sure about taking the Pregabalin?    I also have Hydroxocabalamin B12 Injections every 10, weeks,  i also take a number of health beneficial supplements  >

Magnesium - Glucosamine Chondroitin - Turmeric Capsules - Omega 3, Fish oil's - Occasional Vit D3 + Vit K 

My treatment seems to be working well. It helps my Diabetes Daily.  I do have some side effects but I am feeling fine.

Ms Daisy