Bipoloar drug experiences.

[Autumnleaf]

Any experiences with bipolar drugs? I hear it can be tought to treat.

 

[FragileWinter]

I have never been on bipolar drugs. I actually have never been formally diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I have researched though.

Lithium is usually used. For the first few months of use you need to be blood tested almost daily to prevent the chance of blood poisoning. After a few months and if everything goes fine on the tests, your tests are moved back to monthly intervals.

I really have not researched much on the drugs because I love being my bipolar self.

Good luck finding information,
Aya

 

[lemonflavor]

Lithium is usually used. For the first few months of use you need to be blood tested almost daily

It isn't nearly as frequently as that. You'd be spending all your time at the lab and all your money on daily tests.

I've tried almost everything out there. What I'm on now is somewhat helpful. Be sure to find a doctor who will stick with you and try everything possible if what you're trying doesn't work.

For many people though drugs can benefit them enough to go into remission much of the time.

 

[FragileWinter]

I'm sorry. Like I said before, I don't know much about the medication. I just know that I don't want to take it from the bit I found a few years back.

 

[Alaskamomma]

I am on lithium but it has caused me to gain so much weight that I am going to be taken off of it. I started Lamictal this week to replace it. I have tried Depakote, it didn't work. Tried Abilify and had a reaction to it. Am also on Geodon and for high manias, zyprexa (as needed only.) So, medicines are like cocktails... you have to find the right one that fits you.

Sometimes I feel like a guinea pig. (sigh)

 

[Meshavrischika]

I have tried: lithium (poisoned because of dehydration), depakote (made me feel zombified), tegretol (memory lapses/absences), lamictal (like water), abilify (restless legs) seroquel (what I'm on now, works well but makes me pass out at night), zyprexa (works great but weight gain really bad), antidepressants (with other meds to augment them)... I'd say the best help I have had is with cognitive therapy. Drugs I use only when I'm getting out of my own control.

Guinea pig is right...

 

[Alive again]

It took me awhile to be diagnosed correctly and then a few tries to find the right med. During all those years I did some therapy and lots of reading and self help therapy and bible study. When I foudn the right med it was like someone turned on a light switch in my brain. For me it was an almost immediate effect. I still have some swings, but they are not as severe. And I definitely do not live in the pit of depression all the time like I used to. But it was all the work I did in the intervening years that has allowed me to think clearly and recognize triggers and warning signs and learn to do the self care that managing this illness requires of me. Because of all that hard work I am actually looking at returning to work in the profession I love after 13 years away. Meds do help, but therapy is also important! And yes, meds react differently for different people and similarities in side effects do exist. I also think degrees of bp exist and it is my belief that idfferent genes or gene combos exist in this illness that impact what meds work for whom and who needs combo meds, etc It can indeed be a ongoing process to find the right med or combo that leaves us all feeling like a lab animal!

 

[powerofprayer]

My daughter is on a combo of Depakote and Abilify. I'd say it helps about 60%. The only downfall was some weight gain from the Depakote. It did take awhile to find the right dosage.

 

[Jeshu]

I'm currently taking Abilify, Lithium and Lamotrigine.
It took five years, (I almost died from a wrong reaction,) and had 18 ECT sessions to get me stable.

I've tried almost all the medications that are available - it was scary because it started to look like I was going to have to do it on my own.

With meds give them a good try before switching.

 

[FaithfulMom]

I've been divorced for a year now and am raising 2 kids. I know that I've struggled with some depression but feel that more is going on. In my research, I see that Bipolar II is different, as most people who know me would not say I am the typical bipolar. I just don't feel consistent with my emotions and my self. Struggle with moods, at times, but just want to be the best momma and provider for my girls. Has anyone had a similar experience?

 

[FaithfulMom]

Oops! This is my first time forum-ing. Guess that should have been a new thread! ? !

 

[searchingforpeace]

I have been on Lithium,Seroquel,Depokote,Wellbutrin,Prozac,Abilifiy,Paxil,Zoloft,
Valium and many more that I can't think of at this moment. The worst sympotms were always sleepiness and just feeling flat out drugged. At one point I was on seven meds a day and was taking them four times a day...way too much.

 

[jennidawn]

Meds are a curse and a blessing. Its great there are so many choices because so many people have so many differing reactions. As I scan through the list I see many that I have tried, many that worked for a time but not for another time etc. I was on the wrong meds, then they adjusted to worse meds, then instead of changing they increased doses, then they brought them down while they change to something entirely new...I simpathize with AlaskaMomma... throughout all of this my diagnosis sheet was steadily growing as the doses and pills I was taking grew, until finally I said enough is enough. We had been having therapy sessions in addition to med checks, but one day I said stop. He went to hand me a stack and I essentially said pick three...I soon changed doctors and discovered that while yes the diagnosis(s) were correct 2 meds covered the symptoms I was having Prozac in the morning Trazodone at night. Depakote is in the wings if we need to go there, Geodon has recently been added, but hey that was after 6 years of only two so who am I to complain....sorry for the long post...had a ramble goin I think, but I hope it helps...Lots of luck with your research.

 

[searchingforpeace]

Meds are a curse and a blessing. Its great there are so many choices because so many people have so many differing reactions. As I scan through the list I see many that I have tried, many that worked for a time but not for another time etc. I was on the wrong meds, then they adjusted to worse meds, then instead of changing they increased doses, then they brought them down while they change to something entirely new...I simpathize with AlaskaMomma... throughout all of this my diagnosis sheet was steadily growing as the doses and pills I was taking grew, until finally I said enough is enough. We had been having therapy sessions in addition to med checks, but one day I said stop. He went to hand me a stack and I essentially said pick three...I soon changed doctors and discovered that while yes the diagnosis(s) were correct 2 meds covered the symptoms I was having Prozac in the morning Trazodone at night. Depakote is in the wings if we need to go there, Geodon has recently been added, but hey that was after 6 years of only two so who am I to complain....sorry for the long post...had a ramble goin I think, but I hope it helps...Lots of luck with your research.

Geodon worked the best for me , as I went through about a nine month time frame of hearing voices...Trazodone..great for sleeping through the night, but in the morning it was so hard to get up.. I have been on many at differnt levels and combos. Right now I am ok without but I do know one day I will probably have to go on something again and I am ok with that

 

[angelkiss]

When first diagnosed, I was given the wrong diagnosis but it was caught not long after by a different doc.
I've been on several meds.
Abilify
Ativan
Celexa
Depakote
Lamictal
Lexapro
Neurontin
Remeron
Seroquel
Tegritol


I think that's all of them.
The ones that worked best for me: Equetro, Seroquel, Remeron........all in combination. Unfortunately, I can't take the Equetro for it's too costly. So right now, I'm on Seroquel. After taking the Tegritol for a few weeks, it wasn't working as good as the Equetro. So, now it's back to square one.

 

[restlesslilly]

I went to the hospital 2 weeks ago where they diagnosed me with major depression, ruled out bipolar, and then put me on serequel and effexor!

Yesterday, woke up manic and went to my doctors appt. He tests me and then flips out about the stupid hospital. He diagnoses me bipolar and he told me Effexor is the WORST medicine bipolars can be on. It either makes us very manic for a long time or causes rapid cycling. I was rapid cycling tons in the hospital and now I'm manic and might be like this for weeks since I can't just stop the Effexor cold turkey, I have to step down slowly. The serequel helps enough to let me get some sleep, but thats it. Looking forward to getting correct meds. I don't mind the mania but I'm afraid of the crash.

 

[searchingforpeace]

I went to the hospital 2 weeks ago where they diagnosed me with major depression, ruled out bipolar, and then put me on serequel and effexor!

Yesterday, woke up manic and went to my doctors appt. He tests me and then flips out about the stupid hospital. He diagnoses me bipolar and he told me Effexor is the WORST medicine bipolars can be on. It either makes us very manic for a long time or causes rapid cycling. I was rapid cycling tons in the hospital and now I'm manic and might be like this for weeks since I can't just stop the Effexor cold turkey, I have to step down slowly. The serequel helps enough to let me get some sleep, but thats it. Looking forward to getting correct meds. I don't mind the mania but I'm afraid of the crash.

What kind of test? Will be praying for you regarding the mania and getting off the Effexor. *hugs*

 

[searchingforpeace]

When first diagnosed, I was given the wrong diagnosis but it was caught not long after by a different doc.
I've been on several meds.
Abilify
Ativan
Celexa
Depakote
Lamictal
Lexapro
Neurontin
Remeron
Seroquel
Tegritol


I think that's all of them.
The ones that worked best for me: Equetro, Seroquel, Remeron........all in combination. Unfortunately, I can't take the Equetro for it's too costly. So right now, I'm on Seroquel. After taking the Tegritol for a few weeks, it wasn't working as good as the Equetro. So, now it's back to square one.

It is amazing how expensive the meds can be. Use to not be an issue when my hubby was in the military as they were all covered and if I had to pay anything it was like $7...Then I was on SSI and got coverage b/c of that...now we have no medical and so if I do go back on meds at some point, no clue how we would afford them.

 

[restlesslilly]

What kind of test? Will be praying for you regarding the mania and getting off the Effexor. *hugs*

Thank you very much.

The test was just a questionare about past events/symptoms and whether or not I've had them. Mainly it just determines if you have mania. Its some sort of approved medical test that the doctor told me is 93% reliable.

 

[jennidawn]

It is amazing how expensive the meds can be. Use to not be an issue when my hubby was in the military as they were all covered and if I had to pay anything it was like $7...Then I was on SSI and got coverage b/c of that...now we have no medical and so if I do go back on meds at some point, no clue how we would afford them.

many drug companies have programs through the doctors office to get people their meds even when they cannot afford them. Its a bit of paperwork at first, but you get your meds for free or really cheap from your doc.