Anyone have an answer???

[Tapies27]

Hi all. I am certain that my husband has a bi-polar disorder. A couple of years ago he went to a "income based" psychiatrist who diagnosed him as depressed and put him on lexapro. He took the medication and it seemed to level him out. the only side effect was general apathy toward everything. When he talked with the Doctor ( who gave him all of 5 minutes ) he told my husband " just keep taking the anti- depressants...you will feel better". So after about 2 months my husband quit taking it becasue we couldn't afford the visits nor the prescription. I just want to know if it is normal to get anti depressants for a bi polar disorder. Is there anytother way to control his "anger" problem without meds. We have both prayed about it and it seems to level out for a while but then it comes back just as bad if not worse. Any suggestions?

 

[Zita123]

Your husband does need to be diagnosed correctly. Severe depression and bi-polar are hard to diferentiate. When you said your husband went off the meds and started yelling agian. Did he always yell and the meds stopped it? The reason I ask is because, my husband had an addiction problem, He stopped it and the yelling got worse. When he started to let JESUS into his life a little, then he started to talk to me and he saw a doctor and they gave him something similar to lexapro. Now, that was the best 2 months ever in the 20 yrs we have been together!!! Even my kids loved those 2 months the best!! When he took himself off, That's when the yelling and screaming really took off, it was worse than it ever was. My husband said that "The meds made him not feel anything"??? I argued that he was seeing everything whole for the first time in all those years but he insisted that the meds took his feelings away!!
Anyway, we could talk more if you would like to pm me.
I don't think it is bi-polar but depression only. ( only based on what you wrote )Hang in there and NEVER loose sight of GOD!!! He is there for you always May he bless you and I will also keep you in my prayers!
GOOD LUCK!
Zita123

 

[Alive again]

Hi! You've come to a good place for advice/opinions and info. It is hard to give much feedback with the info you provided. There are online screening tools for both depression and bipolar. But it does sound like yur husband needs more help than he is getting. Does he have the option of seeing another pyshiatrist???

I myself was diagnosed with depression for 11 years and only recently diagnosed as bipolar and am on the right meds and starting to feel better already!!! My husband has had a great deal of anger issues and been on two different meds for that. So I would be happy to visit with you more about any of this, either here in the forum or by pm.

I have seen anger related to depression or bipolar or just as a seperate issue, even related to add or adhd or even some other things.

I am going to try to respond to your question about meds and bipolar, although based on what you shared I am not sure what you are thinking that makes you feel certain that your husband is bipolar.

So meds and bipolar. Most bipolars (there are several types of bp and we all respond individually) do best if they are on a mood stabilizer. That may be alone or in combo with other types of meds based on thier symptoms. I see lots of bps on both a mood stabilizer and an antidepressant. Current research tends to be focusing on not using antidepressants unless really necessary. In my case it was until I finally broke thru the depression and then the antidepressants started triggering manias for me. So I have been antidepressant free for about 2 weeks now-not long enough yet to call it success, but that has been my doc and my's goal.

So I can only share my story and hope it helps you. I would also hope no one would drop their antidepressant without talking to their doc. Just because it works for me right now, doesn't mean it will be the same for you.

So on that note, I will repeat that I am happy to talk here or by PM. Have a blessed day.

 

[Tapies27]

I guess I can best describe his behavior like a rollercoaster. One our he will be the most wonderful man to be with, happy, smiling, and enjoying life. the next hour he is in a rage, everything makes him angry, and all I can do is stay quiet and hope it passes without having whatever bothers him taken out on me or my son. It seems to go in spurts. Some days there are no problems and other days there is just one continueous problem. I feel like I'm walking through a mine field sometimes. When he was on the meds he seemed to be fine, other than feeling like he was neither sad nor happy...like he didn't feel anything. There is no other psychiatrist available with this program, which is a shame bc it brought the cost down to 70 for the office visit. We really can't afford more than that.
It has probably been 2 years since he's been on the meds, and yes...he had a bad withdrawl when he got off. Then about 6 months ago he got saved again and things got a little better.
Granted, I am not perfect either. When he goes into these "fits" his biggest gripe is the house not being as clean as it should be and a few others I don;t want to air here on this forum. Let's just say I am aware of my downfalls, I get told about them often.
I know I want him to get help.

 

[Alive again]

Thank you for the info. Now I can see why you say bp! He most likely needs a mood stabilizer and may or may not need additional meds. Antidepressant can actually make bp worse or better depending on the individual. don't hesitate to ask us questions here. Ther are other resource such as NAMI-- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill--They have a class called family 2 family that is design for family members and can be a great info and problem solving resource!!!

Yes, anti depressants can blunt the feelings of someone. I hope your husband would be willing to consider another visit with the doc (or a different doc) where he could ask directly about bp and a mood stabilizer. Although mental illness is a physical disease, the diagnosis is all symptom based and rests on a combo of the patient's honesty and the doc's interpretation. It is typical for it to take around 8 years for the diagnosis of bp.

Perhaps your husband would be willing to take an online screening (available at the website for nami and many other places via a google search) and that would help a doc see his symptoms better. Or if you husband is willing maybe you coulad go with him for all or part of the visit.

I was incorrectly diagnosised for 10 years because I did not know that rages/anger is a symptom of bp and most screening tools are designed to pick up bp1 and I am bp2.

It can take time to find the right med and to stabilize on the med. It is often common for the person with bp not to recognize the difference the meds make, but the loved ones around them do!!! It take slearning about your disease and learning who yu can trust for honest feedback to help you begin to cope and move along the road torecovery. Feel free to pm me anytime. My Dad was bp, I am, and my son is, so I have many differant points of view. I also worked as a nurse for many years, so i will be happy to share my story with you in any way it might help, btw, my hubby has anger issues, but is not bp and an antidepressant was the key for him. So the initial treatment of an antidepressant is reasonable for someone who present to a doc with anger issues and depression. But it may be taht your hubby is truly bp and then the mood stabilizer is a cornerstone of treatment for bp. Hope this helps begin to sort out the puzzle.

Be very careful not to lose yourself in the battle to help your hubby. do not begin to accept and internalize what is often irrational anger. I could recommed a few books if you enjoy reading. Just pm me or post here! Blessings!

 

[Dianna]

Hi all. I am certain that my husband has a bi-polar disorder. A couple of years ago he went to a "income based" psychiatrist who diagnosed him as depressed and put him on lexapro. He took the medication and it seemed to level him out. the only side effect was general apathy toward everything. When he talked with the Doctor ( who gave him all of 5 minutes ) he told my husband " just keep taking the anti- depressants...you will feel better". So after about 2 months my husband quit taking it becasue we couldn't afford the visits nor the prescription. I just want to know if it is normal to get anti depressants for a bi polar disorder. Is there anytother way to control his "anger" problem without meds. We have both prayed about it and it seems to level out for a while but then it comes back just as bad if not worse. Any suggestions?

Yes anti-depressants are giving to some who are bipolar. Depends on what type of bipolar they are. Me, bipolar 2, lean more toward depression. I am on Lexapro. For some who are Bipolar 1, who lean more toward mania, sometimes they are not given anti-depressants as it can throw them into mania.

I have anger issues. I was on Klonopin for it. Worked great. But my doc took me off of it, b/c I had a drink within the last five years. Since Klonopin can be very addicting, she did not want me on it. So now I have to deal with the anger on my own. When the anger comes, I try a few things now. First I try to stop, breathe, and try to see if there really is a good reason to be angry, or if it is just me making something out of nothing. Journaling really helps, I can see patterns that happen. And now having found the Lord again, I can stop and pray a bit, and it can be calming. It takes a lot to work on anger, and it is very hard, but with each step improvements can happen.


Dianna

 

[Alive again]

I also have difficult to control irrational rages, and spent over 10 years in the throes of depression. I would be happy to share what my pdoc and I have discovered about helping me med wise. My hubby and I have sat down and plan a progression of thing to do and say as an episode escalates, from gentle verbal reminders and space on up to help both of us cope with this issue in our house, with the final step being one of us going to a motel for the noc. Tehn meeting ina public area to discuss and reunite if possible. We have only had to do that once so far, but so far it is working.

 

[greeker57married]

Tapies

Anyone have an answer???


Hi all. I am certain that my husband has a bi-polar disorder. A couple of years ago he went to a "income based" psychiatrist who diagnosed him as depressed and put him on lexapro. He took the medication and it seemed to level him out. the only side effect was general apathy toward everything. When he talked with the Doctor ( who gave him all of 5 minutes ) he told my husband " just keep taking the anti- depressants...you will feel better". So after about 2 months my husband quit taking it becasue we couldn't afford the visits nor the prescription. I just want to know if it is normal to get anti depressants for a bi polar disorder. Is there anytother way to control his "anger" problem without meds. We have both prayed about it and it seems to level out for a while but then it comes back just as bad if not worse. Any suggestions?

I am case manager for a regional mental health in our state. It sounds like your husband may have been mis-diagnosed. He may be major depression and not Bi-Polar. Lexapro is a good medication for depression, but there are many others wellbutrin is a good anti-depressant, or he may be Bi-polar and need a mood stablizer such as depakote or lithium, or smybalex. I would encourage you to go to a regional mental health center, where they have a nurse, therapist, doctor who work together as a team. You pay according to income. But they will work with you. We have many clients that pay very little or nothing. Look for a regional mental health center. They usually have a name like Southwest , Northeast, Southcentral ect.

God Bless
greeker

 

[ladynpink4jesus99]

hello i am new to this forum and noticed that someones husband is on lexapro. i was curious to know how long he has been on it? and if he likes it? i have been on it for a while but i don't know if it is effecting me like it should. i still have episodes of anxiety/panic

 

[Alive again]

Sometimes it is an issue of time (It takes lexapro about 4-6 weeks to have it's full effect), sometimes it is an issie of needing to try a different med (everyone can responds differently to the same med) and sometimes it is an issue of needing a dosage adjustment (increae). Best thing to do is talk honestly and openly with your doctor about what you are experiencing, both with your symptoms and side effects of meds; and ask lots of questions about your meds-what do they do, possible side effects, alternatives, etc. Hope this helps. This is a good link to info about lexapro. http://www.lexapro.com/english/faq/default.aspx Lexapro is an ssri that is effective for treating depression, anxiety and panic. But there are other good options, so don't give up, see your doc if you need to.

 

[sharbear2450]

Tapies

[/color]

I am case manager for a regional mental health in our state. It sounds like your husband may have been mis-diagnosed. He may be major depression and not Bi-Polar. Lexapro is a good medication for depression, but there are many others wellbutrin is a good anti-depressant, or he may be Bi-polar and need a mood stablizer such as depakote or lithium, or smybalex. I would encourage you to go to a regional mental health center, where they have a nurse, therapist, doctor who work together as a team. You pay according to income. But they will work with you. We have many clients that pay very little or nothing. Look for a regional mental health center. They usually have a name like Southwest , Northeast, Southcentral ect.

God Bless
greeker

hi I have been living with bi-polar all my life I was born with it. but I was just dignosed with it a little over 3 years ago, after coming out of a very manic state(sucide included) I had to also have some shock treatments done. I also have post tramatic stress disorder(I lost my baby when he was 18 days old he passed away with kidney failer and liver damage) Its still way to hard I still cry several times in a day and its been 3 years, WEll i take wellbutrin for my bipolar, I also take buspar,trsadone,zolloft,and serqueal. Yes I have a very severe bipolar. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

 

[stanneberg]

I was prescribed almost every kind of drug out there. At one point I was taking almost $4,000.00 a month in pills! Even with my co-pay, we were out of pocket $400.00 a month. This did not include my medical doctor visits, psychiatrist and pshchologist visits (not to mention lost time at work.) When the doctor's got frustrated, I was taken off of everything and given Lithium. I love Lithium! Its cheap, readily available and effective.

Although I'm not a doctor (but feel like one), many of the new SSRI's have adverse effects. It made sense to treat mania with Topamax (preventing me from 'going over the top') and treating my depression with an anti-depressent. When I was rapid cycling, it made sense to throw in a mood stabilizer. However, as research is showing, the anti-depressants were causing me to cycle. The meds that were meant to help, hurt. The definition of bipolar is someone who 'cycles' three or more times a year. I was cycling ten times a day.

Our bodies are chemical. Everything we put in them affect the chemistry. What works for some may not work for others. You HAVE to be pro-active in this process. Gather all the information you can find about the medicines, clinical approaches to the disease, your doctor's background and comittment to your needs. There are clinics and programs out there that can give you low cost (but good) care, free medicine and emotional support, just like we are finding in this forum.

I'm praying for you!

Stephen Tanneberg