Any Input On Lithium And Benztropine? Thanks!

[AmyO]

I am trying to find out any input I can on what everyone thinks of these two. I had taken the benztropine for a while when they put my kids on it I had to stop and think though. They don't really help me much, and they have been causing some more headaches. but my main worry is that they had my middle child on lithium for about a year (1200 mg a day) and then they just stopped.

Someone told me that was a BIG no-no. I am taking him to the doctor as it has been a couple of weeks and he has gone from happy (somewhat) to reserved and always depressed.

My main worry is that now they are adjusting all of my meds and giving my children some of the same. But the biggest concerns are the mind altering. It is frustrating when you go and they just seem to roll the dice and pick out some mix or the other.

Right now they have me on Lithium, Benztropine, Trazadone, Adderall (narcolepsy from abuse), Metformin, abilify, Lexapro, and Strattera (don't know why as I am not ADHD). Plus a few other meds I take for other things (hormones and high blood pressure). I feel wasted half the time and with 3 boys with PTSD that is not a good thing. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[nursenurse]

Wow. I can't make too many comments as I don't know your conditions, neither do I really want to get into the realm of giving medical advice, but this seems like quite the Easter basket of meds. Talk to your doctor, obviously. Another ally would be your pharmacist, they are the true experts on the medications and can tell you about side effects and what precautions are necessary in terms that you can understand. As for Lithium, most docs that I know would taper the med, unless the user was experiencing severe side effects. I hope there is some counselling going on and not just the giving of meds. One should not be exclusive of the other.

The other problem with any psych meds is that it is unfortunately a crap shoot. What works for one person does not necessarily work for another person with the same condition. I imagine you end up feeling like a guinea pig when all is said and done. And some meds stop working well with time, hence the need to shop around for something else.

Good luck, I don't know if this has been helpful. Bless you for what you are going through.

 

[AmyO]

Thank you. Actually very helpful. I thought it was just me. And there is actually lots of therapy...almost too much (state mandated). I wouldn't mind a weekly session, but they have anywhere from 3-5 people a day three days a week. It has been causing major chaos.

Actually started having more problems with kids PTSD being triggered and I become the target for lack of their father. Had my youngest fly into a rage today because of some silly argument and I got the crud kicked out of me. I guess that's why I was wondering because it is so hard to stay calm and focused on helping them sometimes when all the things they gave me just don't cover the pain of trying to break the circle of abuse when my sweet little boys become what he trained them to be.

I did get a little giggle out of the easter basket terminology though because I just recycled something like 32 different medications they had switched us from for the past couple of months.

I hope you had a great holiday and thank you again.