superzeus

Close Bipolar Disorder

I was diagnosed with bipolar I in November 2008 after a major manic episode in the wake of about 6 weeks of pretty intense depression. I am doing pretty well since then but it has been a struggle putting my life back together, and I still have bumps in the road.

Treatments

Depakote Working / Worked

Helped get me through the first couple of months after my major manic episode. It worked well, but my doctor said it wouldn't work for me long term (too strong, his approach is to medicate as little as possible and still maintain normal mental health, which I fully support). Was part of the cocktail of the first medication I ever took.

Geodon Not Working

It helped me come down from a manic episode, but as I continued to take it it caused extreme depression and weight gain, so I came off of it and transitioned onto depakote (which I had been taking with the geodon) and lamictal. I hated how I felt when I was on it.

Lamictal Working / Worked

This is what I am on right now. It has worked better than anything before it, but its been hard finding exactly the right dose. 200mg worked for a while but then I started feeling depressed, but 400 made me feel manic after a while. Im down to 200 now so hopefully that works. It is effective, but not as strong as the other stuff I've taken. However, I view that as a good thing, because I don't like feeling "medicated." When I'm on it I have to make sure I am on a stable schedule of sleep.

Risperdal Working / Worked

I use at my discretion when I am feeling manic and can't sleep. Seems to work pretty well but I use it in extreme moderation because of a bad experience with Geodon, a related drug.

Physical Exercise Working / Worked

Very important a regular schedule along of exercise helps me a lot.

Sleep Working / Worked

A consistent sleep schedule of at least 8 hours a night is the best medication I have found. Sleep is more important than anything for me.