adrodysee

Close Bipolar Disorder

I can't seem to fit my story into 500 characters, so I have decided (so that I can fully describe my experience) that I would make my "story" my first journal entry on this site.

Treatments

Abilify Not Working

This medication was part of a medication combo that was tried for a few months with no benifit.

Depakote Not Working

This medication was part of a medication combo that was tried for a few months with no benifit.

Geodon Not Working

This medication was part of a medication combo that was tried for a few months with no benifit.

Group Therapy Working / Worked

During my hospital stays, I was part of group therapy and found that I heard some great advice. I was able to offer help to others by sharing my own experiences, as well.

Lamictal Not Working

Lamictal seemed to be working. My moods were feeling more level after about a month, but then I got a terrible rash & shortness of breath & had to discontinue it.

Clonazepam Working / Worked

This was somewhat effective in treating my anxiety that coexists with my bipolar disorder. I had to come off of it though because I began ECT txs.

Xanax Somewhat Helpful

I was put on this to replace the Klonopin. It stays in your system a shorter pd. of time & thus doesn't interfere with the ECTs. I still take this occasionly for anxiety.

Tryptizol Somewhat Helpful

I experienced some immediate relief from these txs, but the memory loss was becoming severe and the benefits of the tx were less & less helpful.

Lithium Not Working

This was the first mood stabilizer I was put on to be combined with other medications...after several months it was concluded that it was being of no help.

Effexor Not Working

Helped some with depression, but led to terrible manias and some mixed states.

Risperdal Somewhat Helpful

When taken to stabilize moods it was ineffective, but taken as needed to relieve PTSD symptoms, it provided some relief.

Mirapex Considering

I would like to find out more about this drug and the studies with bipolar disorder as I have also had awful symptoms of RLS and maybe I could kill 2 birds w/ 1 stone.

Zoloft Not Working

Sent me into a manic state. No longer taking.

Prozac Not Working

Sent me into a manic state. No longer taking.

Ativan Somewhat Helpful

Alleviated some of my anxiety, but I still was having frequent anxiety attacks...was switched to Klonopin.

Paxil Not Working

Never worked...plus I had no libido! I also became very manic...extremely impulsive and unpredictable.

Writing Working / Worked

I love to write...I have learned a lot through the self-reflection that writing has to offer & it helps keep things somewhat in order for me.

BuSpar Somewhat Helpful

Took for anxiety and social phobias...helped in the short-term, but provided no long-term benefits for my anxiety.

Physical Exercise Somewhat Helpful

Walks in the park are always uplifting...some days more than others, but I try hard to drag myself outside when my extreme moods hit hard.

Close Anxiety

Treatments

Ativan Not Working

did not work

BuSpar Working / Worked

worked for a period of time years ago for social anxiety, but have not been back on it since

Klonopin Working / Worked

worked okay for my recent anxiety, but was switched to xanax due to the ECTs I was having

Paxil Somewhat Helpful

worked awhile for my anxiety and depression, but I became very manic and the side effects sucked

Xanax Working / Worked

currently taking...works ok for my anxiety, but still struggling with some annoying side-effects