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.

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I am currently untreated for bipolar. i can make it through the day but you know what, I'm looking forward to starting my therapy. I was actually thinking about calling my pdoc and letting him know my functioning is not very well and I'm in a low state at the moment.
Here's where I need you guys. I am a "one pill" kinda girl. At least I want to be from the begining so that I can evaluate the +/-'s of the med(s) I will be taking. I have in the past responded well to meds (knock on wood) and have researched two that I would like to discuss with my pdoc. They would be Lamictal and Abilify.
I'm torn which one to ask him for. A little about me, I don't get suicidal, I live in more mania and rapid cycling than anything else. When I do get down I get rageous towards my hubby and say things that I don't mean. I have unattainable dreams, quite jobs like changing underwear, and I seem to make erratic decisions without thinking of others first.
I'm not worried about a cost standpoint as my pdoc gives me samples, but I want your opinions for a rapid cycler what would be the better of the two and why.
Or perhaps personal experiences. Thank you all in advance.
Tracy
Here's where I need you guys. I am a "one pill" kinda girl. At least I want to be from the begining so that I can evaluate the +/-'s of the med(s) I will be taking. I have in the past responded well to meds (knock on wood) and have researched two that I would like to discuss with my pdoc. They would be Lamictal and Abilify.
I'm torn which one to ask him for. A little about me, I don't get suicidal, I live in more mania and rapid cycling than anything else. When I do get down I get rageous towards my hubby and say things that I don't mean. I have unattainable dreams, quite jobs like changing underwear, and I seem to make erratic decisions without thinking of others first.
I'm not worried about a cost standpoint as my pdoc gives me samples, but I want your opinions for a rapid cycler what would be the better of the two and why.
Or perhaps personal experiences. Thank you all in advance.
Tracy
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1. Lexapro
2. Xanax
3. Seroquel
The lexapro has been by far the most effective anti-depressant (for Me) and have been on paxil, zoloft, pamelor, prozac, wellbutrin,
The Xanax is questionable at this point but I have been on the same dosage for about 3 years and I am having night terrors in which I awake scared of something but not knowing what or running through the house thinking a tornado was coming, people were shooting at our home and go running through the house screaming, waking in a state of turmoil and pending axiety, I don't maybe a dosage adjustment.
Seroquel, it can still make me feel like I've drank just a little to much and in a fugue, when I complained of this to my doctor and he advised to take an hour before bed, but I do have to get a full 8 hrs sleep. I really think that seroquel adjusts how forcefully it hits you based on the mood, because thats what it is a mood-inhibiter and somehow keys in on that mood and shuts down the little things that would usually make you go bonkers, I've become more tolerate, not only with myself but with others as well. You never know what lies in the soul behind their eyes!
You are VERY wise to do one med at a time!! I am quite insistant on this approach. How else are we supposed to know what med is helping or causing side effects?!
I do not cycle as much and have more lows, so don't know if I'm helping. But, I take Lamictal and Lithium. I was off anti-depressants, but looking at going back on soon - going to see a new Psych Nurse the end of the week.
Try and graph and pay attention to your moods if possible - great tool!!
Wishing you many blessings! I've seen you here for a bit and you come across as an intelligent and compassionate individual. :) Keep us posted on what the Pdoc suggests and what you decide to go with.
All my best!! xoxoxo
From everything I've read, Lamictal has the fewest side effects. Of course, every med has its pros and cons. Lamictal can (rarely) cause Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. But Abilify has the potential to (rarely) cause tardive dyskinesia or involuntary body movements.
The involuntary muscle movements actually happened to me when I was taking Zyprexa, which is in the same class as Abilify.
--Nick