What are the long term effects of taking mood stabilizers?!
Question: What are the long term effects of taking mood stabilizers!?
I have bipolar disorder, mixed with depression!. I have taken Lamictal for almost 1 year now, and have been on Seroquel for a few days!. My psychiatrist said that I will definitely have to be on Lamictal for the rest of my life!. What are the long term effects of taking this medicine my entire life!?
I am 19 by the way, and I take 200mgs of Lamictal and 50mgs of Seroquel a day!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I am 19 by the way, and I take 200mgs of Lamictal and 50mgs of Seroquel a day!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Lamictal has gone generic in the US, so I think this means it has been on the market for 17 years or more (I forget the exact number of years, but it is a long time)!. So docs have a pretty good idea of its safety profile, but do not have any data about someone taking it for a lifetime, like they do for lithium, a far older treatment!. This lack of data is a problem for any of the newer drugs, but if you have a very serious illness, you have no choice but to take meds for it, long-term risks unknown!. Statin drugs for cholesterol have been around about the same length of time as lamictal, and millions take them for years and years, so this problem isn't limited to mental health!.
If you have bipolar, you really don't have a choice but to treat it or you have too high a risk of trashing your life or killing yourself, all amid great despair!. The risk of the bipolar is known, and it is very serious!. AFter being on the market so many years, it is not likely some horrible new thing will be found out about lamictal - most such discoveries are made within the first 7 years a drug is on the market, I have read numerous times!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
If you have bipolar, you really don't have a choice but to treat it or you have too high a risk of trashing your life or killing yourself, all amid great despair!. The risk of the bipolar is known, and it is very serious!. AFter being on the market so many years, it is not likely some horrible new thing will be found out about lamictal - most such discoveries are made within the first 7 years a drug is on the market, I have read numerous times!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Your seroquel dosage is pretty low and I would guess that will be changed in a lenght of time!.Many of the old mood stabilizers and some of the newer ones such as seroquel can cause Tardive Dyskinesia!.It is unknown how long you can take Seroqel before that becomes a danger!. Sometimes it is irreversible !. Other thing if you plan to become pregnant being on those meds may be a no-no so ask your doctor!.I know for a fact that Tardive Dyskinisia can be a problem long after stopping the meds!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Technically, Lamictal is an anti-seizure drug (so quick withdrawal could lead to seizures), and seroquel is an anti-psychotic!.
Long term effects for both though would be dependence, withdrawal if stopped and possible tolerance!.
They will certainly help you out if you really need it but I would suggest looking into natural ways!. (Vitamins and essential oils can do just as much as stabalizers and they won't give you that horrible addiction to it!.)
I really do hope you find something that works for you!. I watched my mom cold-turkey withdrawal from seroquel, lamictal, effixer XR, Zoloft and wellbutrin!. It was one of the scariest things I've ever seen so I can't suggust getting involved in them if you have other alternatives!. A thousand times good luck!. I hope everything works out!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Long term effects for both though would be dependence, withdrawal if stopped and possible tolerance!.
They will certainly help you out if you really need it but I would suggest looking into natural ways!. (Vitamins and essential oils can do just as much as stabalizers and they won't give you that horrible addiction to it!.)
I really do hope you find something that works for you!. I watched my mom cold-turkey withdrawal from seroquel, lamictal, effixer XR, Zoloft and wellbutrin!. It was one of the scariest things I've ever seen so I can't suggust getting involved in them if you have other alternatives!. A thousand times good luck!. I hope everything works out!.Www@Answer-Health@Com