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 thought I was doing fine on Wellbutrin and Geodon. For the past few months I seemed to be on an even keel. When I first started on Wellbutrin it made me very manic, compared to the Zoloft I'd been on which had me depressed. I didn't think the Wellbutrin was going to work for me but after the first month of horrible mania my pdoc cut the dose from 150mg to 100 mg and I seemed to level out. For the first time in forever I seemed to be neither manic nor depressed. It was wonderful.
Then, out of nowhere the mania rises up again. The symptoms are numerous and ugly and potentially life damaging. I've been feeling out of control in many ways for several weeks. So I decided to cut my Wellbutrin pills in half, and only take half a pill a day. It has helped a bit to calm me down, and I see the pdoc this week so that is good.
My question is - why did this happen? I was doing so well. Is this damn disease going to rear its ugly head at unexpected times for the rest of my life? Even if I am on meds that seemed to work well? I really thought I was gonna be ok, as long as I took my meds faithfully - which I did. So why did this happen? And what things can I do to prevent the mania from returning? I want to be level again, it was such a blessing.
Then, out of nowhere the mania rises up again. The symptoms are numerous and ugly and potentially life damaging. I've been feeling out of control in many ways for several weeks. So I decided to cut my Wellbutrin pills in half, and only take half a pill a day. It has helped a bit to calm me down, and I see the pdoc this week so that is good.
My question is - why did this happen? I was doing so well. Is this damn disease going to rear its ugly head at unexpected times for the rest of my life? Even if I am on meds that seemed to work well? I really thought I was gonna be ok, as long as I took my meds faithfully - which I did. So why did this happen? And what things can I do to prevent the mania from returning? I want to be level again, it was such a blessing.
Therapy, meditation, meds, healthy diet, exercise, education/awareness, daily journaling and charting, supplements, avoiding outside stimlants and depressants, learning to recognize my triggers, support, have all helped me be higher functioning. The journey is about accepting, growing, and being the best you can be.
Sorry you are struggling.....xo
we are all individual and pdocs don't really have much of a clue.
i am glad you had stability for a while and sad that it has ended.
sounds like you had a good idea with cutting back on the wellbutrin.
I don't know much about geodon, am researching it now. says you need to take it with food, if you take it without food its only half as good. do you religiously take it with meals?
oh great, its approved by the FDA for mania, but it says "Ziprasidone is known to cause activation into mania in some bipolar patients"
another unreliable med double edged sword!