Was it just me that noticed or did anyone else see that in last night’s Eastenders (Monday) that Sean handed Jean, who suffers from Bipolar Disorder, a packet of 37.5mg Venlafaxine?
Possibly the worst ever antidepressant for Bipolar, but so distinctive in it’s beautiful yellow packaging (she says quite sarcastically).
The referral is through for the CMHT (with a little pushing from my Mum, and a weeny wobble over the weekend, involving too many zopiclone, temazepam, tramadol and co-codamol at my parent’s and a lovely night in hospital). Waiting for a joint appointment with a CPN, community psych, my GP and me (and possibly my Mum – although I feel a bit stupid dragging her along at 22 for moral support but I know I can’t fight my own battles for 9 times out of 10).
Ruth
November 8, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Not that distinctive, is it? Just a yellow line across a white backing (Wyeths packaging) – I think a fair few meds have that. It’s like all TEVAs meds look the same Green and white with retro circles).
Quite a few (’specially BPII) paitents don’t have manic flip-outs have in response to ADs. Plus, quite a few ADs (all?) can appear in a BPs pillsorter inconjunction with the right meds.
Take your mum if you feel you’ll need her. It’s not stupid at all. People have their parents sorting out their financial affairs well into there 20’s why is this any different?
And a smart person knows when they need back up.
November 10, 2007 at 1:08 am
Better to have back up than to not seek help.
Take Care
November 10, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Chaos – I know that people with BP2 take anti-depressants and don’t go manic on them, but it was my impression that Jean in EastEnders suffers from BP1, in which case venlafaxine is one of the worst anti-depressants to cause mania.
I am going to take my Mum along, I definitely need someone to help me get through this and to help me put my point of view across so I don’t just turn into a jumbling wreck.
Exactscience – I agree so much. I am taking my Mum along, I need back up and I need help and she seems to be able to span both!
November 19, 2007 at 11:04 am
Horses for courses.
I am spending a week on venlafaxine 37.5mg tabs then another on 75mg xl caps. Though I am prolly BP2.
Fun fact though the ICD doesnt specify types of bipolarity only the DSM