Procholraperazine and Bipolar Disorder

[HarryB]

Actually, I'm not entirely sure how the name is spelt because I've lost the outer packaging, however, you should know what medication I'm refering to if you have taken it.

...have you ever taken it?

I was perscribed it last week by my doctor and (at the moment) I think it's rather useless! All it has done is make me sleep a LOT and given me palpitations when I've awakened.

I'm still feeling pretty hypomanic. It's a real problem because I'm a recovering cocaine addict and people can't tell the difference. Also, any mood swing either side even slightly puts me in the frame of mind to start using again.

My doctor says I should continue with my medication but I was wondering if anyone had any personal experience?

[mle-sober]

Sorry, never heard of that one. I googled the name and didn't find anything either (other than your post LOL).

In terms of drugs for my bipolar, Lithium, Seroquel and Depokote have been the ones that really make a difference.

If I get hypomanic, my doctor doesn't let it go for even a second. She immediately ups one of the drugs or adds another for a little while until I'm stable for a substantial amount of time. It doesn't seem right that your doctor would be so casual about your continued hypomania. It's not safe. At least for me, it can and will quickly get aggressive and turn into a serious mania or a serious depression. There is no sense in waiting for it to happen.

[Eleison]

What you're looking for would be Prochlorperazine.

I was given it short term in a very low dose when I presented at a and e with a severe panic attack that made me very dizzy, so dizzy I couldn't walk. It's used in low doses for vertigo and travel sickness. [also known as Stemetil in that context]

At higher doses it is an older anti-psychotic, which can also be used for severe anxiety.

[historyteach]

Hi, Harry,
and welcome to the MH forum of SR!

The doc may be waiting a bit because you've only had it for a week. It typically takes 4-8 weeks for a drug to enter into your system and become effective. Therefore, to change it after a week is not giving it time to see if it's working or not.

I've looked, and can find no reference for this med for bipolar disorder. i found it ued for other conditions, including anxiety, nausea/Vomiting, Schizophrenia, Migraine, and Psychosis though. So, it's an interesting choice. Though, I'm the first to admit, I am *not* a doctor.

Certainly ask your doc if you continue to feel unwell. But, please be patient too. It does take time for the med to work their way into your system.

Shalom!

[HarryB]

Originally Posted by Eleison

What you're looking for would be Prochlorperazine.

I was given it short term in a very low dose when I presented at a and e with a severe panic attack that made me very dizzy, so dizzy I couldn't walk. It's used in low doses for vertigo and travel sickness. [also known as Stemetil in that context]

At higher doses it is an older anti-psychotic, which can also be used for severe anxiety.

Yes, that's the one!

When I read the leaflet in the box it seemed like a weird medication. It said all that about sickness and antipsychosis and only one small paragraph about bipolar disorder.

Why do you think the doctor perscribed it for me? I'm not 'psychotic' but I had two psychotic episodes when I was using a huge amount of cocaine.
I also have a stomach ulcer and anxiety attacks so I'm thinking it might be some 'catch all' medication for me, perhaps?

I've had a lot of problems with every medication I've tried for my bipolar. One made me gain an incredible amount of weight and sleep 16 hours a day and others have done all kinds of weird things like giving me random arm spasms and making me talk like I'm drunk.

[HarryB]

Originally Posted by historyteach

Hi, Harry,
and welcome to the MH forum of SR!

The doc may be waiting a bit because you've only had it for a week. It typically takes 4-8 weeks for a drug to enter into your system and become effective. Therefore, to change it after a week is not giving it time to see if it's working or not.

I've looked, and can find no reference for this med for bipolar disorder. i found it ued for other conditions, including anxiety, nausea/Vomiting, Schizophrenia, Migraine, and Psychosis though. So, it's an interesting choice. Though, I'm the first to admit, I am *not* a doctor.

Certainly ask your doc if you continue to feel unwell. But, please be patient too. It does take time for the med to work their way into your system.

Shalom!

This medication seems to be causing me the least side effects but that seems to be mainly because it's not doing a single thing to dampen my hypomania. The only thing it does to combat it is allow me to get some sleep although, in my dreams, I'm hypomanic!

It was a duty doctor who perscribed me these pills as my doctor is away on holiday until the 19th. It's always useful to be a bit hypo over the holiday season but it quickly escalates so I'm considering seeing another doctor before then.

[mle-sober]

At the very least, your doctor should be able to address your concerns about this medicine.

I can't imagine why it would be acceptable to be hypomanic, from a doctors perspective. (Meaning, I understand why it might felt useful or good from your perspective but the doctor doesn't have that experience and I think would want to clamp down on it right away.)

Have you phoned your doctor to discuss the issues?