mood stabilizers

[Rudderow 2]

a friend of mine has a situation:

her doctor feels she may be bipolar and wants to put her on mood stabilizers, specifically lithium. however, she is concerned that it may not be a good idea with her skydiving. one of the side effects is possible dizziness. if she had about 3 weeks of no jumping, the doctor will prescribe the lithium to test the effects, but my friend won't give up skydiving for meds. does anyone have any experience jumping while on any kind of mood stabilizer?

PMS #165 Swooo #613 CSA #687

[jtval 0]

well, I don't take any but I know some people who do. they aren't skydivers,though.

If you're friend wants to take that chance of jumping while those meds are settling into her system I would do everything I could to have her take a few extra days.


the side effects MAY be living a normal life. Or they may be mood swings,drowziness etc.....

that isn't something any one should be jumping with.


wouldl you let anyone jump drunk?

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[masterrig 1]

Just speaking for myself, I take Buspar. Been taking it for years. One of it's side-effects is dizziness but, I've only noticed a slight, momentary dizziness. It goes away and I go on. I've 'learned' the med and know how to deal with it. The med has never kept me from doing anything. For me, it has been a great help. I'm not really familiar with Lithium.


Chuck

[virgin-burner 1]

damn, i've been having meds for all kind of shit.. and suffering sideeffects..

i've never had lithium, there are other stabilizers that work just as good, but with much less side effects..

you may want to talk to your friend about tremor (shaky hands) that you can aqquire when taking lithium. the only downside to this, it can become a steady state. meaning, the shakiness wouldnt go away even after not taking lithium anymore..

i've refused lithium a number of times, for exact same reasons.. ah well, in the end i gave up on all meds, doctors, psychiatrists and what not.. i felt miserable for a long time, but then i picked up skydiving. ever since, i cant get that smile off of my face.. its the best drug, AND very addictive!

“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.”
-Hunter S. Thompson
"No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try."
-Yoda

[Beerlight 0]

Ask your DZO and pilot........they may know what most take.

[Rudderow 2]

have you ever been disoriented under canopy to the point where you felt unsafe?

PMS #165 Swooo #613 CSA #687

[masterrig 1]

Never! If anything, I felt much less anxiety and felt more aware and in control.


Chuck

[steve1 5]

Quote

Ask your DZO and pilot........they may know what most take.

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I'd discuss this carefully with a Psychiatrist. Lithium is often the medication given for bi-polar illness. I'm not familiar with all it's side affects. Some medications may not allow you to skydive safely. Your Drop Zone may not allow you to jump if that is the case.

Bi-polar illness is nothing to sneeze at. It often results in dramatic mood swings that can result in some truly bizarre behaviors. The depression can be life threatening. People often ruin their life while in the manic phase. I wouldn't recommend anyone stopping needed medication, just to skydive.

Anti-psychotic medication is sometimes prescribed along with Lithium for treatment. You need to be thoroughly informed on all the side affects of your medication to skydive safely. Skydiving and your medication may not be compatable. Hopefully the right doctor can set you straight on this...I doubt if any DZO or pilot would be a reliable source of information....Steve1

[Beerlight 0]

Quote

I doubt if any DZO or pilot would be a reliable source of information....Steve1

I was being a little tongue in cheek with that response amigo......