Expert: Ivan Goldberg, M.D. - 10/24/2009

Question
She has been treated with various different medications over the 20+ years since she was diagnosed. The latest med she was on is Seroquel as well as an anti-depressant (don't know the name of it). She was prescribed Vicodin by someone that wasn't her regular Dr. I think she had only been taking it for a week at the most and went back to her Dr. who told her to stop taking it right away, which she did. Unfortunately she was not aware (she was in a "blackout" like state) of the violent side affects and dangerous drug interaction that it has and a horrible tragedy occurred. She has struggled with this illness for half of her life. I'm not sure why she can be "ok" for a while on certain medication and then they seem to not work anymore. She has had suicide attempts on other meds and even seizures from another (I think that was depakote) I just want to get some answers as to what type of help there is in Calif for victims of bipolar and the violent reactions that some medications can have.

Answer
Hi . . .

I am not sure I understand what you are asking. There is no way I can understand your sister's reaction to medications without knowing all the details of her illness, and this is not the place where such questions may be answered.

If you are asking where you can go to understand your sister's illness, the best you could do is go with her to see her psychiatrist and see if the psychiatrist can answer your questions.

I'm sorry I cannot be more useful to you here.

Best regards . . .

Ivan
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