HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Suggest Treatment For Bipolar Disorder

My husband has been diagnosed with bipolar. He was prescribed lithium 300 mg twice a day and 40 mg Paxil. Life seemed to be going well until he had a back injury at work two years ago. He had to have a 360 degree fusion in September 2013. They removed hardware September 2014. He has had to go to pain management and is currently taking 60 mg extended release morphine twice a day, zanaflex 4mg four times a day, gabapentin 800 mg four times a day, and amitriptyline hcl 150 mg once at bedtime. He has nerve pain some days in his leg that puts him in bed. Lately he is super anxious, itching so much he has sores that seem to take forever to heal, he is super emotional and gets agitated easily. When he lays down to sleep he twitches and jerks so bad that I have to go to couch. We have had a few problems with pain management doctor so we are going to ask neurologist to change doctors for us. I am here watching his life basically fall apart and I need to know what I can do to help. I feel he is over medicated. He often sweats profusely too.
Fri, 24 Apr 2015
Report Abuse
Psychiatrist 's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. He is suffering from Bipolar disorder and is on lithium 300 and 40 mg Paroxetine. He is also on Gabapentin, Zenaflex, Morphine and Amitriptyline for severe pain he have due to back injury.

As per my opinion as he has bipolar disorder so in such case use of Paroxetine should be in low doses only. The drug can cause manic switch in individuals with bipolar disorder so in my opinion the drug should be stopped or doses should be reduced. He is already taking Amitriptyline and this drug would take care of his anxiety and depression. High doses of medicines are probably causing his symptoms like increased twitches, jerks, agitation etc. Please discuss with his psychiatrist and ask for dose adjustments I have mentioned.

Thanks, I hope this helps you. Take care
I find this answer helpful

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
Suggest Treatment For Bipolar Disorder

Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. He is suffering from Bipolar disorder and is on lithium 300 and 40 mg Paroxetine. He is also on Gabapentin, Zenaflex, Morphine and Amitriptyline for severe pain he have due to back injury. As per my opinion as he has bipolar disorder so in such case use of Paroxetine should be in low doses only. The drug can cause manic switch in individuals with bipolar disorder so in my opinion the drug should be stopped or doses should be reduced. He is already taking Amitriptyline and this drug would take care of his anxiety and depression. High doses of medicines are probably causing his symptoms like increased twitches, jerks, agitation etc. Please discuss with his psychiatrist and ask for dose adjustments I have mentioned. Thanks, I hope this helps you. Take care