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.
Do they have a generic for it yet?
You need to watch for "the rash" which is rare, but happens usually when you take too much too soon. You have to build your dose up gradually, a couple weeks at a time.
With lithium, (which works better for those who are more manic than depressive) you have to watch your water and salt intake, to keep a balance. It also can damage your thyroid gland.
Both meds have possible bad side effects, but you just have to be careful and watch for them. Neither are likely to hurt you so fast you can't get help, unless you OD or ignore the symptoms.
they become out of hand.apparently some pdocs use them together because one is good for mania and the ohter depression. good luck
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Anyhoo..it's working so far. I had a few physical side effects at first, sore throat, muscle aghces, headaches, etc. but the are gone now.
The WORST side effect was that it made me hypomanic and impulsive for about two weeks or so. I had bizarre thoughts and had to be careful not to act on impulse. My pdoc put me on Zyprexa for that and it's working.