BiPolar

Has anyone been diagnosed as BiPolar and how have you handled it?

Hi Betsy I am not a grad but I lurk on this board (lots to learn here - hope you don't mind) I have mild bipolar I started attempting to do something about it in 1993 and had pieces of time where I went on medication and had various levels of commitment to therapy. It took a few years before I was honest enough with myself and made a solid commitment to going to therapy and remaining on my medication consistently. I got myself into a lot of trouble because I would stop and start my meds or my therapy. I had been seeing my therapist since 2001 and have been on the same medication for the last 3 years. I have recently been able to stop having therapy but I will need to remain stable on my medication for a period of up to 1and1/2 years before we think about adjusting my medication and I may have to acknowledge that I need to be on some sort of medication for the rest of my life. I am immeasurably better for having gone to therapy and taking medication. just for reference I take: Sodium Valproate (Epilem) - which is an anticonvulsant but is used for mood stabilisation Prozac - I know a lot of people have problems with this drug but it works for me Neulactil - which is used as an antipsychotic and an anti anxiety med - I used it for anxiety (when required - hardly ever these days) It took a while for me (and my psych) to get to a point where I was on the right medication and taking the correct dosage, but you need to be patient and honest. Hope some of this helps Q

I was diagnosed with severe rapid cycling Bipolar in 1997. I had my WLS in 1999. I was stable at the time of surgery and was very much afraid of being able to take my pills afterward. I ended up taking 1 pill at a time VERY carefully for years afterwards. I am still on alot of medication for it, however, it works. I see a shrink for medication management 4 times a year. I take Neurontin, Lexapro, Abilify and Wellbutrin. It may sound like overkill, but it took many years of trials to figure out just the right combination of drugs that keeps me under control. Let me know how you're doing. There is hope. Patti

I was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2001, after being misdiagnosed for most of my adult life. Getting on the appropriate meds was a miracle. I take seroquel, lamictal, and effexor. I had serious depression issues for the last couple of years, but about 6 months ago my doctor put me on the effexor and it's been a godsend. My mania has always been controlled with the seroquel. Having a great psych provider can make all the difference in the world. I see a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and I couldn't be happier. She's creative, she listens, and I never feel like she's just pushing pills at me. I don't see a therapist at this time, although I have in the past. Frankly, I consider my disease a chemical derangement in the brain, and don't really find that therapy makes a difference like meds do. My WLS is pending--2nd week of February is what I'm planning. I am completely stable now, and have been for almost a year. I do realize that surgery is a big stressor, and that I will probably have some transitional depression afterwards. Any kind of stressor, such as too little sleep, being sick, or working too many hours tends to cause some transitional depression. It generally is self-limited, and once I get back on track, it goes away. I hope that this information helps. It CAN be lived with very successfully. Good Luck!

Thanks so much for the reply's. It helped me feel as if I am not alone....I am currently on seroquel, concerta, and effexor. First I was diagnosed with depression, then ADD, and now bipolar. What I couldn't believe was how well the seoquel is working already. I used to feel like my mind was a race track, going round and round and my head would ache, not a headache it was more like from being so tense all the time. I was moody to some people and would fly off the handle at my kids. I could not believe that after the 2nd dose of seroquel my head quit spinning.....we have adjusted it 3 times now in the last two weeks but I am just so amazed. The concerta helped me to get projects done. I had a huge flow chart project due for work and I actually accomplished it. I don't know how many out there are ADD and Bipolar but I think I am one. It has been hard to admitt to anyone so I am just letting it take it's course and as long as my husband can tell the difference and is happy with the results than that is all that matters. I do have problems with staying awake very long when I take my nightly dose of seroquel. I don't want to take it to late because I want to wake up. Any one else with that problem??? I'm still not sleeping all night thru but since they adjusted it I think I am going to get a good 6 hours in compared to the 3 hours I was getting in the past. I am going to try cousneling also. My appointment is coming up. I am not sure that I actually will need it because I am thinking so much clearer already. What is lamictal for??? What kind of dosages is working for other people. I know no one is the same.....but I am just curious.....thanks again and please stay in touch with any new information you may have on this subject. Merry Christmas.... Betsy

I'm so glad the seroquel is working well for you. I do crash at night after taking it, which is fine by me--like you, I seldom slept more than 2 or 3 hours before I started taking it. I have very severe depressions and lamictal is a anti-convulsant that has very strong anti-depressant properties. It also has very minimal side effects. My psychARNP has had lots a good results with the combination of effexor and lamictal in treating bipolar depression. Just as an FYI--in the past I took 300mg of seroquel in the am, and 300mg in the pm. It made for a groggy morning at first, but I eventually got used to it. I have been able to wean down to just the 300mg at night. There are a couple of great sites out there that are psych related... http://www.crazyboards.org/forums/ the best psychmeds info site is: http://www.crazymeds.org/ it's a little weird to navigate, but the info is top-notch and he really keeps up with what is going on in the psychmeds world vis-a-vis new research, etc. Feel free to PM me anytime

I'm still having problems sleeping. I crash when I take my meds but then about 4 hours later (if I'm lucky) I am awake.....wide awake. I'm not sure what to do since I have had problems sleeping for so long. I don't require alot of sleep to begin with but I would love to get 6 hours straight someday. There are times I just get up at 3am because I'm awake and have energy, might as well use it. My family makes fun of me (Just joking around) because I am such a morning person....I love mornings and I am just beeboppin around at the wee hours and then leave for work around 5:30am, give them all kisses and hugs and make sure they all know how much I love them....and they are just mumbling....leave us alone, please....haha....I have always been a morning person so I wonder if I have a sleeping problem or if this is just me??? Anyways, it does frustrate me sometimes. I am usually ready for bed by 8pm because I've had a full day. Could I need a larger dose at night??? Thanks for the web pages. I am going to visit them as soon as I post this.... Thanks again for sharing all the info... Betsy!

I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder for two years. I have controlled it well with medication. Part of the trick is finding a healthcare provider that will listen to you and work with your medications with you. Good luck

is there a concern with the absorbtion of the meds people are prescribed for bipolar???