Bipolars?? What meds are you currently taking? How are they working out?

Question

My husband is diagnosed bi-polar. For the last 3 years, lithium alone was enough to keep him stablized, however about a year ago he was under extreme stress at work and the doctor put him on prozac. She also gave him a huge prescription of xanax to help him relax. Needless to say, the prozac caused a full blown manic episode that landed him in the hospital for a week. We were then told that ssri's are never to be given to type 2 bi-polars because they function at a high level and the lithium is trying to bring that down, while ssri's are attempting to bring them back up. The conflict of the two often leads to manic episodes. Now, my question is that my husband is taking lithum, xanax (periodically), and two different bloodpressure/ cholesterol prescriptions. He is so sedated he has zero personality, and can hardly remain awake during even his favorite past times. He is also starting to go through depression once again on top of all the rest of this. What bipolar meds would you suggest?

Answer 1

HI
It sounds like you are already quite knoledgable about the workings of some very heavy duty drugs. I know you have probably researched this to death already, and this forum might be your way to hear from actual people who have this problem. If so, I will tell you my story.
I am a 51 year old man, bi-polar from as far back as I can remember, but only diagnosed in 1995. Suddenly I realized why I felt so out of place in the world, and the explanation for the bizarre behaviors I had known. You know the list probably.
Anyway, I was not aware that medications were like 'cocktails' in the sense that all the ingredients must work together. I went through numerous such 'cocktails' until I finally found one I could live with...literally. My cocktail changes from time to time as it does with most bi-polars. This is probably the MOST annoying aspect of SSRI treatment. The bi-polar has to spend an inordinate amount of time doing 'self-diagnostics' to try to evaluate if his or her emotions thoughts are stable. Even with meds this is a tricky disease to be sure, and as you know, it is not a "one size fits all' type thing. It can be slippery indeed.
I currently take: Zoloft 200mg, Lamictal 150mg, and Xanax as needed, which is about .5mg 4 times a day for anxiety that simply never goes away without it. I also take Seroquel 200mg for sleep. ( I was addicted to prescription pain meds for degenerative disk disease. I had spinal fusion surgery and have not 'used' since, but it had the unfortunate side effect of destroying the part of the brain that allows for 'shutdown' in order to fall asleep. Seroquel does just that....turns the volume and frequency of thoughts WAY down, and thus allows sleep. There are some 'hangover issues' but they are tolerable.)
The 'flat' personality of your husband is right up there with the worst of the side effects of some drug treatments. It need not be so! The manic highs go away so it may SEEM the personality is muted, but a balance can and should be obtainable. Ongoing sedation sounds like a definate red flag that the meds are not 'right', and should be adjusted once again. Only your mental health professional can do this, and if you've tried many drugs already with the same results...or worse, you may need to consider another therapist who might be a little more 'creative' with the newer meds.
So in closing, I would suggest visiting www.crazymeds.com for a somewhat irreverant but highly detailed peer to peer forum regarding questions just like yours. You may e-mail me for further info if you like at [e-mail]. I wish you the best!

Answer 2

First, for bipolar sufferers, it's not the 'interaction' that causes the mania- it's just the anti-depressant. The lithium stops the mania, but obviously the balance is not working. He’s experiencing mania, and now he’s experiencing depression. There are plenty of other anti-depressants, and other mood stabilisers than lithium. Another option is ECT. Don’t be put off by the movie “one flew over the cuckoo’s nest”. It’s actually quite safe and effective (and doesn't cause brain damage), and might be a good option if regular medication is not working.
Also, he needs to be getting regular exercise, a good night’s sleep, and have good social support.

Answer 3

First - I am not bipolar. I am a person with bipolar depression. That's the problem with people who have this disorder. They let it dictate what they are. A lot of their "bipolar" behavior is maligned - they can get away with irrational behavior under the pretense of a mental disorder. It's no excuse for stupidity. Unfortunately, there is no cure for that, and they will bounce from drug to drug and never find the relief they want. Okay, my rant's finished.
My bipolar depression is caused from brain trauma. I was hospitalized for eight months. My recovery was entirely self-motiviated. Nobody can wish you better, or you can't wish yourself normal. You can to grow up and get real about life. Call me Dr. Phil, but it's the truth. Your life is yours, and it's tough. Bitching about it gets you nowhere.
I take an anticonvulsant and an antidepressant. They don't make my life wonderful. My life stinks sometimes. But I'm going to make it better myself, no drug will do that for me. All a drug can do is put me in a place where I can handle my own decisions. It's all in my hands, and it's still hard. Depression causes poor habits in thinking and self-esteem. The drug won't fix it, you have to get up and do it yourself. There is no magic button. Be an adult about your problems.
There are often PRNs (medications, foods or actions used as needed) for mania and depression. Mine are a nap, water, sometimes dark chocolate and music in a dark room. If it's really bad, a massage. Watch yourself, keep a journal of what works, and use those to self-manage. It's in your power to control.

Answer 4

Although Bi-polar disorder, as you probably know, is related to unbalanced chemicals in the brain, One of the closest things to a cure is actually psychotherapy. You see the unbalanced chemicals trigger the manic episodes but these episodes are magnified by negitivly associated neuroligical pathways. These pathways can be "reconfigured" by an extreemly good psychologist. Many doctors will argue against my statement here but I assure you that if I wasn't 100% sure on a health issue, especial mental health, I would not recommend it. P.S. DO NOT STOP HIM FROM TAKING HIS MEDS.

Answer 5

I am also Bipolar II. I take Lexapro (antidepressant with anti-anxiety properties), Seroquel (anti -psychotic), Gabitril (GABA inhibitor), and Lamictal (mood stabilizer). I hope he's going to a psychiatrist to manage his illness, rather than a family doctor (they haven't a clue how to manage serious mental illness). If you aren't happy with the psychiatrist, try a teaching hospital.

Answer 6

The doctors put me on depakote, trileptal, risperdal and prozac because I'm bi-polar too..None of them seem to work though, but if you ask me put him on prozac it's good for depression but sometimes it increases suicidal thoughts.