Lapband and Bi-polar

 How difficult is it for you to take your medications after you have gotten the lapband? I am weeks out from the lapband and I take relitively small pills but there are 12 of them. Did you have to get off of them or do you just take them spread out over the day?

 I don't have any trouble with my meds.  I ask for everything in the smallest form available, even if it means taking more of them.  (For example 4 pills of  125 MG Depakote instead of 1  pill at 500 MG which is much larger.)  I ask for liquid when available and try to stay away from gel caps which seem to give me a ton of trouble even if they are uber tiny.  That said I do have a LOT more trouble managing my symptoms now than I have in the past.  My moods are harder to keep level, medications that usually worked well no longer do or give me odd side effects, and I'm INCREDIBLY hormonal.  I should mention also that I'm not new to bi-polar, diagnosed almost 20 years ago and I've been banded coming up on three years!  I can't stress enough how important it is going to be to have a great relationship with the doc that does your med management!!  

Kari

 I am on abillify, lamictal, topamax, cogenten, adderall, lunesta and ocassionally kolonopen. their all the size of a bb, but i take 2 or 3 at a time. they are itty bitty and im new on them, used to be on depakote. since i got on these i lost 11lbs in 30 days. but im scared that if i come off them i will be back at square -20. I have been bi-polar for almost 19 months. two hospitalizations and i am trying my hardest to loose the weight and stay healthy. right now the dosages are 25mgs and 50mgs and in two weeks go up on all of them 25mgs and 50mgs again but they are still itty bitty like tictacs.

 I wouldn't be overly concerned about the two or three at a time as long as they are small.  I'm familiar with most of those meds and I've not had issues at all with others in those size ranges.  I actually just switched off of Lamactil about 2 months ago.  I'm having some trouble with the Depakote and weight gain (11 pounds in 60 days, Grrrrr.) but I'm hoping that some dietary change and a little extra excersize will curb it.  The Depakote seems to be working really well for me other than not sleeping well.  I wish you a ton of luck on your journey!  I'm not a regular poster here any more but if you'd like to keep in touch feel free to find me on face book or leave a private message here.  I pick them up about once a week :)

Kari

Facebook ID: Pantspeople

 with depakote i gained 60lbs in the past year... I am happy that the new meds are working better than anything i have taken so far. but yet very worried to come off them thats all.

Can I just saw WOW, they have you taking A LOT. Has your doctor ever given just lithium a try with you? My husband is Bipolar type 1 with major manic episodes, he has has two hospitalizations over 10 years but the first one came prior to his diagnosis, hence not medicated, and the second came when his primary care physician had prescribed a blood pressure med without checking to see that the two should not mix leading his levels to go through the roof, forcing him to stop the lithihium for 2 weeks. (so the second hospitilization also came while he was off his meds)

Needless to say he has been very balanced on just lithium for a long time but when he came out of his second hospitilization on about 4-5 scripts like you, he was a zombie. Obviously only you and your doctor can decide what is the best fit for you, but for us, lithium allows for the most normal existence. Good Luck!

 yeah i have alot of problems to deal with, the psychiatrist is one, i had two hospitalizations in the past two months and then they changed all the meds and im fine. but this crazy doctor is using my meds to make my loose weight and denied me surgery. i needed her to write my letter to get surgery.

Hi ,
I'm on abilify, lamictal and klonapin pluse a few others.  My doctor worked with me through my lap band experience.  My surgen said all my meds were okay to take.   I hope this helps.  You should check with your lap bad surgen.  I also take other medications.

 that was very helpful, I am very greatful that you came to share. The doctor I have is a nut case (psychiatrist) she is against weight loss surgeries and thinks upping the topamax will cause the same weight loss as surgery, but i still want to see the surgeon about my options because two of my other doctors want me to have the surgery.

Mariekh, I want to thank you for posting your question. I am bipolar as well and was wondering about taking medications and if they would cause problems. The biggest pill i take is 100 of lamictal. the rest are kind of tiny. Congrats on your surgery and hope everything goes well.