JoBlog

My mood is up and down at the moment like the proverbial yo-yo, and as a result my consultant has asked me to increase my olanzepine dose to 5mg daily. We’re trying to prove that it won’t help so we can abandon it for good. Of course, it might help, so we’ll have to see.

On a more positive note, I attended Elly and Meri’s Wedding a couple of weeks ago. It was a lovely day, but the highlight for me has to be breakfast the next morning at Belle and Herbs. I had Blueberry Pancakes, and they were wonderful. I have had strong cravings for Blueberry pancakes ever since, so if anyone has a recipe for them, or knows where I can get some in London, Bishop’s Stortford or Cambridge, I would greatly appreciate it!

So the happiness lasted about 4 weeks, and now I’m back to the old familiar feeling of hating life, and struggling to cope. The current drug changes are to increase the dose of clomipramine, as much as my body will tollerate. I’m currently on 40 mg daily, and the main side effects are a hand tremor and dizziness on standing.
I’m now back at uni, starting my final year. Things seem to be going fine so far.

For the first time in forever, I am happy. Something in my drug combination has kicked in (Lithium, Clomipramine and olanzepine) and I’m happy. I have energy, I have concentration, although it’s still a bit below normal, and I have motivation.
So things are currently rosy in the Jo camp at the moment. Lets all pray it stays that way.

I am currently taking 1g Lithium, 25mg clomipramine and 2.5mg olanzepine. Olanzepine is an atypical anti-psychotic, which has antidepressant properties at low doses. So far, it’s given me a very dry mouth. The clomipramine has been increased from 20mg, and the headrushes are worse, and it’s making me more tired (the olanzepine can also do this). The aim is to get to 30mg, and then see what happens.
One a happier note I passed all the exams I took this year. Just one to take in September, which I defered from earlier in the year.

Flupenthixol has been discontinued, as any intial effect has not continued. I am starting 10mg daily of Clomipramine in addition to the Lithium and Edronax I currently take. 10mg is a very low dose, which is necessary due to drug interactions. Also, I reacted badly to Imipramine, which made me feel terrible for the few weeks I took it (they have a very similar chemical structure). It could take 4 weeks to have an effect, which I’m dreading, but at least we’re doing something.

I’ve been on the lower dose (0.5mg) of flupenthixol for about a week now, and thankfully the blurred vision has all but cleared up. I would certainly be able to drive, which is nice. We’re not sure how much good it’s doing me though - I’ve had a hellish few days. It’ll be partly to do with PMT, but could be related to the reduced dose, as the times correspond. The other option is that it wasn’t doing anything at either dose, and I’m just nose diving on my own.
On the plus side, only 3 weeks of lectures left, and only 5 weeks until I’ve finished for the year.

Blurred vision seems to be the major side effect for flupenthixol, at least for me. My consultant assures me that it’s normal, and is caused by the drug affecting the muscles which control the lens. Hopefully it will improve as I get used to the drug. If not, we’re going to try a reduced dose, as it should be possible to achieve full action with few side effects.
On the plus side, it’s actually working. I’d lost all hope of ever feeling better, but it’s kicked in quickly like it claims, and I’m feeling ok, even if not “normal” yet. Not sure if that’ll ever happen, but flupenthixol is my friend, at least for the moment.