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 have tried nearly every mood stabilizer, anti psychotic and anti-depressant out there. We discovered early that the anti-depressants were very bad for me, but the others we have tried in multiple combinations.
My pdoc has not said I am treatment resistant yet, but she has sort of said that she is out of ideas.
I know I am bipolar, and not borderline or schizophrenic. I have been clearly manic or mixed before, and am currently trying to stay out of the hosp with a mixed episode right now.
So the question is, do I just give up? My pdoc is amazing and I think she would like me in the hosp just for a med check up, but a) I'm pretty sure the hosp won't take me for that and b) while I have some self harm thoughts, they are not persistent enough to warrant going.
Sorry this is long. I just feel like I should just sort of accept where this is and learn to live with the cycling and just go to the hosp a couple of times a year when it gets bad. I feel like I have been a high maintenance patient while we have been working on this and we aren't really getting any results. Right now I'm on 4 meds to try to knock it down. Anyone else feel like this or been there?
My pdoc has not said I am treatment resistant yet, but she has sort of said that she is out of ideas.
I know I am bipolar, and not borderline or schizophrenic. I have been clearly manic or mixed before, and am currently trying to stay out of the hosp with a mixed episode right now.
So the question is, do I just give up? My pdoc is amazing and I think she would like me in the hosp just for a med check up, but a) I'm pretty sure the hosp won't take me for that and b) while I have some self harm thoughts, they are not persistent enough to warrant going.
Sorry this is long. I just feel like I should just sort of accept where this is and learn to live with the cycling and just go to the hosp a couple of times a year when it gets bad. I feel like I have been a high maintenance patient while we have been working on this and we aren't really getting any results. Right now I'm on 4 meds to try to knock it down. Anyone else feel like this or been there?
This really needs to be thought out and have a frank discussion with your pdoc and hopefully you have a support team in place. Good luck!
I am treatment resistant in that i have tried many medications and none can get rid of my residue symptoms.
Another thing is that I have tried ECT twice. The first time it worked and then I relapsed and the second time did not work at all. Maybe ECT might work for you?
Have you been on the meds long enough? Sometimes we give up and don't give them their full 2 months to adjust. That was my problem with Risperdal. Also correct dosage is key.
My Pdoc conferenced called all his Pdoc buddies from around the US, from Stanford to Mass General.
Concencise was to pull me off all meds cold turkey ....uuugggghhh !
That was a horrible experience.
Then we started out with Micro Dosing , a med every few weeks.
If something worked, we kept with it and slowly upped the dosage , until I reached a theraputic level, which for me ...is WAY below a normal theraputic level.
Just went at it that way, and finally found a med combo that works...it isn't perfect, but my mixed episodes and rages are under control