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.
I've been beating around the bush with writing a strictly-meds sort of post for a while, so I'm going to do that now.
When I see the MD on the 2...2nd? [I'll withhold it for now, but are you allowed to talk about the clinic you go to by name or the company?] I'm going to inquire about Depakote and Gabapentin. [They're about the only psych meds specific to my condition I've not been tried on that I have faith in.]
Maybe this is me generalizing, but both Gabapentin and Depakote seem to be sort of broad-spectrum drugs that can control a number of symptoms, plus the anxiolytic properties, and investigational studies somewhat seem to point towards both of these things controlling pain.
I'm not clear on the exact pharmacologic mechanism of action but I'm looking into it. [Gabapentin is I believe a GABA analog, the chemical that regulates anxiety, Depakote I don't know about, I have looked into it and it's complicated as hell]
So I see the doc the 22nd I believe. I was on Abilify + Seroquel before, which worked well, but I'm uninsured and this is a government-run non-profit place so I doubt I'll be getting put back on Abilify lol. I'm thinking what they're going to do is either Depakote, lamictal or tegretol, maybe lithium. Lithium I'm willing to try, you know how I feel about Depakote, Lamictal and Tegretol I'm leery of because I haven't heard of people having a lot of success with those and the side effects are horrendous.
I'm paranoid of anything that's black-boxed or tends to cause extra-pyramidal effects, mostly the first-gen antipsychs.
Honestly I'm nervous. I'm hopeful though because right now other than trace amounts of Seroquel, I'm basically unmedicated. I don't think it can really get worse than this as far as my brain chemicals running amok and messing up my head.
What stuff has worked for you? Holistic methods are also welcome.
When I see the MD on the 2...2nd? [I'll withhold it for now, but are you allowed to talk about the clinic you go to by name or the company?] I'm going to inquire about Depakote and Gabapentin. [They're about the only psych meds specific to my condition I've not been tried on that I have faith in.]
Maybe this is me generalizing, but both Gabapentin and Depakote seem to be sort of broad-spectrum drugs that can control a number of symptoms, plus the anxiolytic properties, and investigational studies somewhat seem to point towards both of these things controlling pain.
I'm not clear on the exact pharmacologic mechanism of action but I'm looking into it. [Gabapentin is I believe a GABA analog, the chemical that regulates anxiety, Depakote I don't know about, I have looked into it and it's complicated as hell]
So I see the doc the 22nd I believe. I was on Abilify + Seroquel before, which worked well, but I'm uninsured and this is a government-run non-profit place so I doubt I'll be getting put back on Abilify lol. I'm thinking what they're going to do is either Depakote, lamictal or tegretol, maybe lithium. Lithium I'm willing to try, you know how I feel about Depakote, Lamictal and Tegretol I'm leery of because I haven't heard of people having a lot of success with those and the side effects are horrendous.
I'm paranoid of anything that's black-boxed or tends to cause extra-pyramidal effects, mostly the first-gen antipsychs.
Honestly I'm nervous. I'm hopeful though because right now other than trace amounts of Seroquel, I'm basically unmedicated. I don't think it can really get worse than this as far as my brain chemicals running amok and messing up my head.
What stuff has worked for you? Holistic methods are also welcome.
-
I find myself going places in the car and not wanting to get out of the car. I come back home and I don't want to get out of the car. I think it's the only time I spend reflecting. Chronic tiredness from Long Covid plus the immunosupressing meds for my Crohn's is slowing me down but everything just seems a massive effort. I am dealing with the paperwork following my father's death but it's not...
-
Wow, it's the middle of the week already!Today is our 11 year anniversary, so we're going out to a nice dinner. I'm losing a lot of sleep these days, hence a wonky schedule and uncomfortable feelings. But I know it will pass, eventually.I hope all of you have a peaceful day, and may good things come your way!
Cheap advice, huh? Okay, better advice;
First generation antipsychotics are rarely used anymore. There are some pretty serious, no bullshit atypicals. I won't name names becuase I hate to remember them.
Lithium : some people hate it, some people tolerate it well. It will make you thirsty and slow your cognition a bit, but maybe to a more comfortable, yet still quick level.
Most of the past eight years I've been on two different antipsychotics simultaneously, high lithium level, lamictal, sometimes stimulants. I've been noticably manic most of the time. On all that shit. I was very productive, sociable, fun. You'd never know it. I ran marathons on the cocktails and did well. But some people would not have tolerated the drugs as well. It's about how your built and what you can tolerate.
You want to feel better fast? Exercise. I promise that will work.
After seeing the warings on the Abilify site by it's own makers I'd avoid it.
The patent has run out on Seroquel, I don't know what the availability of generic quietapine is but in theory it should be available and alot cheaper than seroquel
Lamictal is available as lamotrigine and it's the thing I've had least side effects with.
I'm not aware of any "holistic" treatment that actually works. My feeling is if it works the big pharma grabbed it.
I have to say the med that helped me be best was Seroquel in depot form - it was best for my mind but got bad side-effects so I stopped. But on the other hand I quite often, with mood-stabilizers - feel better the first couple months and then deteriorate... But that's me! However I don't know the difference between the regular Seroquel and the depot...
Lamictal doesn't have much side-effects. Lithium requires check-ups and I presume you know about the thirst and shakes...
I'd also recommend exercise - yoga and "body balance" is very recommended - you'll sleep better and become more aware of your body... But I guess not everyone are suited for it and I'm sure it'd be hard to do it while manic!!
I like the adderall because it gives me motivation to do things. Also I normally go off zyprexa after a few months because it makes me so tired even though it really works, and with the adderall I can stay awake.
I have been on depakote and gabapentin and they helped but not as much as this combo.
They're coming out with an implant for Buprenorphine and I think Naloxone [like the original preparation] called Probuphine. If I can get on Medicaid it might be a possibility for me.
My magic combo was Suboxone, Abilify, Seroquel and Vyvanse. Eventually my pdoc got nervous and dropped Vyvanse, it was replaced with non-stimulant Strattera which gave me terrifying fits of rage and misfitting sadism. I told her and she didn't want me off, so I'd just withhold the Strattera and get the others filled.
I had to excersize extreme caution with stimulants. Adderall was jesus in a pill until I realize it exacerbated my Mania mood swings more than any one thing should. Vyvanse + Mania sensory over-stimulation made my first two college semesters magical. Those were my glory days.
Some people are allergic to lamictal, so they start off with 25 mg. I'm not suggesting anything, just stating what helps me. Everyone is different and there are a lot of medications and combinations. I had one that made me gain 100 pounds and another where I could not eat at all and neither one helped.
Depakote works well. I myself, am allergic to it but I've seen it do well for people inpatient while I was at the hospital. that's just observing. we talk and stuff.(me and the other patients).
Seroquel works for mood and sleep, but made me ravenously hungry all the time. If I wasn't eating I was upset.
and Lithium was poison to me, personally. Abilify too. That combo cuase blood sugar issues, fainting spells, constant nausea, etc..
Beggs
The only major thing is that I'm very sleepy and lethargic most of the day. I usually take at least 2 long naps a day in addition to a good night's sleep (8 to 12 hours even sometimes).
But hey for now I'm going to school part time and don't have any other responsibilities so I'm OK with the sleeping and fatigue. As long as I'm productive, engaged, and successful when I *am* awake, I can deal with what feels like obligatory daily nappy times for me. ^_^
Aside from this, just wanted to say that these past 5 months have been the best of my life emotional stability wise since I was diagnosed with the condition 5 years ago, and that's saying something....before Abilify I was either severely depressed or hypomanic or even manic to the point of extreme psyhosis lasting for weeks and NO memory of basically 3 weeks of my life in hospital...just gone...oooff....I'm really glad something is working for me....I'll deal with the sleep issues when I need to.
However, I have to say DO NOT let my experience scare you. I have found everyone is different. You have to be willing to give a drug 6-8 wks to take effect. What doesnt work for me might for you. So, if you go in with that mindset it will make it easier.
Sorry I've been gone. I've read all of your replies, for a few of you I'm glad you have found "the magic combo."
edit: the only side effect seems to be headaches but it's possible that's more the Tramadol. I have no tolerance for headaches though.
I quit on my Seroquel two-ish weeks ago and became dysphoric and suicidal, but was put on Ability a week later. It seems to be working fairly well with few side effects.
I've always thought something like Gabapentin or Depakote or Lamictal would be a broad-spectrum wonder-drug, but I've heard a lot of people in recent asking describing [lamictal and Depakote in particular] as hellish. There's tremors, shakes. I don't think I could do those. I had tremors on Soma [mostly right before falling asleep], it was a terrifying experience, and was impossible to get to sleep with.
I thought they would do some generic of that sort though at my clinic. But apparently they have a partnership with Abilify's pharma company to do a med-assist programme, and it's worked for me before [In combination with OTHER THINGS. I specified, but was put only on Abilify. Oh well. Humble beginnings]. But my pdoc seemed a little too calm. I showed him my fucked up writings and drawings and scars and said "Look I'm reeeeeeally bad right now" and he sort of was nonchalant. I probably could've told him I killed a man [for example ofcourse] and I would've gotten a similar response.
Lol. Oh well, it is working. The only thing I'd probably change is adding back my amphet salts for ADD, but it exacerbates my mania, so I'd have to consider that if I even had the choice. ):