Question:
Are there any other bi-polar post-ops out there?

I am 15 days post-op and I am Bi-polar. My psychiatrist took me off all of my meds (Lithobid, Nuerontin, Prozac, Topamax, and Propranolol), because they were causing vomiting. Now I feel like I'm really losing it. I wondered if anyone out there was bi-polar and how they are handling all of the emotional stuff that goes along with this surgery.    — Natalie W. (posted on July 10, 2002)

July 9, 2002
I'm a pre-op bi-polar, but I can give you this piece of advice: YOU NEED THOSE MEDS MORE THAN EVER NOW!!! Please talk to your psychiatrist immediately, try to work out a better cocktail, if it is the size of the pills that is making you throw up, get him to proscribe tiny pills, even if you have to take them many many times over the day. One thing that might be causing you to puke is if you're cutting or crushing any time-release meds, if you are, ask him for the old fashioned versions. Also, see if there are any that can be dissolved before ingestion. I take depakote, topamax, celexa and wellbutrin, and I'm going to have to get a different prescription for the depakote because mine are time release. You cannot go without your meds yet, this is not a good time to go unmedicated for you! Goodluck -- Heather
   — Heather K.

July 10, 2002
I am bi-polar and 2 months post-op. I could not take the meds either (even the liquid). I was very emotional at first(really sliding down), but as soon as I went to solid food I was able to take the meds. A lot of times you can take 2 or 3 of a smaller dose (a smaller pill) and achieve the same effects. I just had to have my husband and family keep a close watch on me during those few weeks. I am pretty good at watching myself too. If you need to talk e-mail me! Good luck! Tara
   — tara W.

July 11, 2002
hello...i too am bipolar...and docs were worried about the meds situation for me prozac lasts 6 weeks in your system so you can stay off that for another 4 weeks or so as far as the others, it sounds like an awful lots of meds..i take prozac (for the depression/only 20mgs now); depakote (for the manics) after surgery docs tried depakene (liquid depakote) but it gave me dumping so we tried depakene in capsule form but for the amount of depakote i'd been taking (5000 mg/day) i had to take like 20 pills 2x day by opening the pills and emptying out the little ball things (sorry don't know the technical term) into like applesauce but then you can't chew them or else it would destroy the potency and well, i couldn't get them down by 2 weeks post op i was feeling a bit desperate too so my doc put me on 250mgs of depakote (2 small pills 2x day) and i was able to tolerate that and that is what i am still on... i am wondering, is the propranolol the same as inderol? (heart med/blood pressure med) because i was on that prior to surgery due to high blood pressure but after two doses in hospital i've been off it ever since i am 13 months out and like i said, am only on 20mgs prozac and 250mgs of depakote it is worth a shot to ask doc about these meds or reducing the current meds you take to the smallest dose/smallest pill or see if there is a liquid equivalent write me if you have any other questions or just wanna talk bipolar in general... [email protected] good luck!
   — jkb