Skip to main content
search
Tag

Mental Health

Aripiprazole Shortage in the UK

By HealthNo Comments
Aripiprazole 5mg Box

Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic medication that prevents visual, auditory and tactile hallucinations.

It is a medication I use to prevent auditory hallucinations, that is to say that it prevents me from hearing things that are not there – including bleeping sounds of the Microwave, Washer and my cats meowing.

I went to pick up my prescription from the Chemist this week to discover that there is a national (in the UK) shortage of Aripiprazole in the 10mg and 5mg strengths.

It started several months ago with a shortage of the 10mg strength, so I was switched to the 5mg strength. Now they are also in short supply. My Chemist wasn’t able to tell me the reason why or when this shortage is likely to be resolved.

My daily dose is 20mg of Aripiprazole so my GP has ordered me the 15mg strength and advised me to use the last of my 5mg strength to make up the dose. This will last me a couple of weeks, whilst he awaits for further information.

If this goes on for several months, then there will be no option but to switch me to a different antipsychotic medication. The thought is anxiety provoking. Aripiprazole is a 2nd Generation antipsychotic. Others in the category include Quetiapine and Olanzapine, both of which have side effects including being highly sedative and weight gain. Plus I’ve been on large dosages of Quetiapine without good effect.

For now I will have to wait and see what happens. My mental stability depends on me being on the right medication to balance my neurotransmitters.

Write soon,

Antony

Share on Social Media:
Monday 29 August 2022

World Mental Health Day 2020: The Benefits of Investing in Mental Health

By HealthNo Comments

Today is World Mental Health Day. This year’s theme is investment in mental health, so with this in mind, here are some benefits of investing in mental health :

  • A healthier populous. 1 in 4 people experience mental illness at any one time . That’s a quarter of the population. Just imagine if we could reduce this statistic.
  • It would reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and mental illness.
  • A better quality of life for people with mental illnesses and their families/friends.
  • Improved mood, self-awareness, coping strategies, self-esteem and relationships, for any individual with a mental illness.
  • Less people presenting in crisis due to earlier intervention.
  • A reduced suicide rate. Suicide is the biggest killer in men under the age of 45 here in the UK according to CALM.
  • Less working days missed due to mental illness. This would lead to a productivity boost.
  • More research into what interventions and medicines are effective in the treatment of mental illnesses.
  • It is cost effective, according to the World Health Organization (pages 18 & 19 ). Meaning that money invested would be returned back into society through cost savings.
  • Increase equality . Access to Healthcare is a Human Right, see my post The Human Rights Act (1998) Explained. The Human Rights Act (1998) was designed to increase equality.

I’m a strong advocate of increasing investment in mental health education and treatment.

Want to know more about mental health and mental illness? Then check out my book Mental Health Wisdom:

mental-health-wisdom-banner

Write soon,

Antony

Share on Social Media:
Saturday 10 October 2020

A General Life Update – June 2020

By Health, Life2 Comments

Hello Dear Readers,

How endless does this lockdown feel? It feels like it has gone on forever. It feels like the rules of lockdown have permeated every aspect of our lives. In some cases the rules feel like they have taken our old lives hostage. No longer can we take anything for granted. Not even the simplest of things like exchanging a hug with a loved one.

With experts are expecting a 2nd wave, it looks like the relaxation of lockdown maybe reversed. Possibly made even stricter.

With all this going on, it’s not surprising that for some, this has had a tole on their mental health. So I would like to remind you that you can purchase my book Mental Health Wisdom from Amazon for just £7.49 paperback (or £1.99 Kindle) here. It’s full of strategies to help people to deal with adversity and improve their mental health.

mental-health-wisdom-banner

Now let’s talk about me. It been a bit of a difficult time. First there was an international shortage of Depakote, one of the medications I take. So I had to switch to Epilim, basically the same thing but a different brand. However nobody at the Pharmacy or GP knew there was a shortage of Depakote, so it took nearly two weeks without any Depakote to get the Epilim prescribed and started. This led to manic and mixed moods.

But before this and underlying I had been struggling with depressive symptoms, that even the maximum dose of Venlafaxine wasn’t helping with. So my Consultant Psychiatrist has taken me off Quetiapine and started me on Mirtazapine.

I’ve never had this mix of medications before, so it is uncharted territory. We just have to keep trying until we get the right balance in my brain. Even though I know this, it is sometimes frustrating.

In other news my iMac (photo below) has died and gone to Apple heaven.

February Photo Challenge 10th
My iMac finally died.

It had been really slow for a while and since getting a laptop I haven’t used it that much; but it is still disappointing.

This week I’m off on annual leave. I’ve taken a few days to rest and recharge. Next I’ve got a few days seeing family and friends – social distancing. Then at the end of the week Steve and I are going to South Lakes Safari Zoo.

I’ll be sure to do a blog post about my visit to the Zoo. Blog soon,

Antony

Share on Social Media:
Wednesday 1 July 2020

Monitor Your Mood with this FREE Daily Mood Diary

By HealthNo Comments

Social distancing and in some cases for those whom live alone social isolation can have an negative impact on mental health. We’re social animals you see. We need contact with others to remain mentally healthy.

But the key to spotting any deterioration in one’s mental health is to be aware of it. A good way to be aware of your mood is to keep a Daily Mood Diary like this:

You can download a FREE printer friendly version of this Daily Mood Diary here.

Blog soon,

Antony

Share on Social Media:
Tuesday 7 April 2020