Treating Bipolar With Tachybradycardia - Anyone? Med Complications

[NaomiSpellman]

Any experience treating Bipolar with Dysauto heart problems? Help! I have not been on meds for my Bipolar for awhile, due to major past med fails. But as I am rapid cycling and getting mixed bipolar more and more, I need to try to get help. However, I notice over and over that arrhythmias and most neuro-psycho meds DO NOT MIX! "Do not use if you have arrhythmia" or "Use extreme caution when taking this drug if you have arrhythmia". My uncle died of heart failure while having heart complications from such meds, so I am afraid to go back to them.

I am wondering how much of the mental distress is related to late-life dysauto symptoms, as people here speak of mental hyperactivity, confusion, and distress as they get older.

Thank you.

[Katybug]

Do you have an autonomic specialist? I would think that would be the doc to start with as far as what psych meds would be safe with your particular set of heart related symptoms. I hope you find answers soon.

[NaomiSpellman]

Thank you. What is an autonomic specialist? I am seeing a Cardiologist who has many POTS patients. Though in my experience doctors generally don't ask what you are already on, and don't bother to see if there are counter indications. I have pretty much figured out the drug side effects are just too dangerous for me.

[k&ajsmom]

Hi Naomi,

I am not bi-polar, however my doctor has prescribed me Lamictil (sp) which is used for the treating bi-polar episodes. ( I do have massive anxiety and some depressive episodes thanks to my health) He has prescribed it to me for my Pots and explained it will help ans system calm down.and regulate some "probable overactive nuerotransmitters in my brain". My biggest fear is my heart! so thats the first question I asked. "will this effect arthymias in anyway??!!" he stated "no" ...now, Ive been too chicken to start it yet but I am going to soon. Have u ever tryed this med?

-Sarah =)

[Racer]

I experience anxiety, bouts of depression, sensory issues, motor tics... I dont take any medication for those problems and had always refused to take psych meds.

A couple weeks ago I started taking magnesium oxide, prescribed to me for heart arrhythmia. It has not been that effective for palpitations, but it has been sooo awesome for my tics, sensory issues, and mood. I feel so much more calm and relaxed when it is in my system, it is so great. Amazing there are so many extremely harsh pysch meds out there given as the first line of treatment, and yet a $4 OTC supplement from walmart makes me feel so good

[Katybug]

An autonomic specialist is usually a neurologist or cardiologist that has a subspeciality in autonomic nervous system dysfunction such as POTS. All of my doctors refer to my current list of medications before adding something new. I would expect this from any doctor I was seeing.

[NaomiSpellman]

Racer and k&ajsmom: Thanks for your observations. I will discuss these with my Cardio and I hope to start seeing a real psych soon ( in addition to my current CBT student counselor who is great) and I want to discuss medication options and non-chemical treatments. I am hoping to get in with a Psych doctor who is accustomed to dual diagnosis/comorbity issues, because I have run up against complications before and it is scarey! I appreciate your thoughts.