Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
Years ago I was on Wellbutrin and Depakote for BP 2. After a few years I quit taking them and felt good for about 15 years. Have been on Lexapro and Xanax for about 3 years for depression/anxiety with fibro. Past 6 months stress has been unrelenting and unfortunately there is no escaping it when it involves elderly in-laws. Anywho, am to go see a psych soon about mood stabilizer. My question what is out there nowadays that works without horrible side effects or having blood work the time. I am also med sensitive and my #1 reaction regardless of the med is suicidal thoughts which I truly don't know why! All of the fibro meds Savella, Cymbalta, and Lyrica have all done this to me. My GMD is sending me to a psych doc to see what they think about this. So I would like to know the good, bad, and ugly of these meds before I go to this doctor so please tell me what drugs have done well and which haven't for y'all! I am more trusting of DS than of docs and what they wanna shove at you because of their drug reps.
I don't know of other mood stabilizers.
Lithium changed my life!! As a BP2 I got constant mood swings almost daily. My life was hell before. Now, with Lithium I get very mild depression that last for a few hours. And only once every few weeks.
It's completely manageable.
Lamictal - I'm not sure about. I've been on it for 8 years and I don't see it doing anything. Next pdoc visit I'm going to ask him to take me off. My Lithium was lowered last month and my mood swings came back. So if Lamictal is a mood stabilizer why did I have mood swings.
I've been on Lithium for 29 years. After about 10 years it slowed down my thyroid so now I take Synthroid once a day.
I didn't have any side effects with either med. The first month on Lithium I was nauseous. Doc switched me from pills to capsules and that was the end of it.
I have the fibro problems and those meds you mentioned don't help me, either. My pain mngt doc gives me Lidocaine trigger point injections, just there in a normal office visit. I've had them last, providing some relief, for three weeks. I also use Voltaren ointment (believe it's called) & Lidocaine cream.
I hope you find something that makes it all more tolerable. Need both physical and emotional/mental each at their best, so that they don't actually make the other worse. (snowball affect, you know)
xoxo
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/positive-thinking-stopping-unwanted-thoughts