He has been diagnosed for 3 years and meds that he has tried have scared him (and the rest of us) with bad side effects. So has been unmedicated. He recognized the beginning of this phase (we have seen some horrific episodes in the last couple years), anyway he is going today to see about medication (probably lithium).
Any ideas/experiences about side effects or how long it takes to build up to effective levels would be greatly appreciated!
2006-10-11 09:50:39 · 8 answers · asked by Pixie Dust 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I don't consider my-self 'spinning my wheels'. We have been together since Jr. High (14 years) and there is no rope to lead. We have a mutually respectful relationship.
And yes thank you, neither of us drink very often but I will remember that. And I have all finances under lock and key (At my husband's request!) I am better at budgeting anyway.
2006-10-11 10:38:40 · update #1
He has tried Depakote, Zyprexa, Abilify (very bad results on that one), and another anti-psychotic that I can't remember. And the Halidol at the ER messed him up too. The Abilify is supposed to help shut down the over-firing of neurons but it completely shut down his emotions. He didn't want to be a father, husband, son......it was bad.
2006-10-12 05:15:37 · update #2
I have been on Lithium for 10 years and I like it. You have to have your blood tested frequently so that they can tell the level in your blood...That is how they determine the dose.
They can't raise your prescritpion too quickly because there is a fine line between the therapeutic dose and toxicity. And to make sure they are at the right level, the docs will monitor your blood each time they increase or decrease the dose.
General side effects: weight gain, stomach problems, REALLLY thirsty (but it goes away), have to pee alot (but it goes away), headache, tremor in the hands
I have not had that many side effects. And my doctor combines it with another mood stabilizer. Works well.....
2006-10-11 09:58:32 · answer #1 · answered by riptide_71 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Going to the psych's office is the best possible thing he could be doing. This is good news, it is the time you both realize that he is bipolar and that the side effects of meds are nothing compared to the mania.
I've taken lithium for 7 years. For one year I tried life without it. It's not a drug, it's a salt. It regulates the neurotransmitters somehow and keeps me from being manic. My wife and family thank God for lithium. Like your family, they have seen some scary episodes when I've been off it. Good luck to you and your husband, I hope it all works out, it sounds like it will.
2006-10-11 18:35:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hello...................My daughter was diagnosed 7 years ago and we have tried many medications, but what seems to be doing the trick for her now is a med called Geodon. She has not relapsed for nearly two years. The side effects are not as bad as they were with any other we have tried. She was in the hospital for only a week or so and was level enough to be released after first being put on this new drug Good luck to you.
2006-10-11 18:23:24 · answer #3 · answered by Christie L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It will pass, try to get on some sort of routine. Eat 3 meals a day. A little exercise. Try to let him sleep at night every night. Don't let him buy any thing big like a new truck or fishing boat. If he gets to acting dangerous and it gets to much for you to Handel check with your insurance to see which hospital to check him into. Go to the ER if you have to. Or if situation get really bad you can call 911 to get the fireman to come and strap him down to a litter and transport him to the ER .
Most medicals take up to 2 weeks for results. Injections are faster and available for some drugs.
2006-10-11 17:48:36 · answer #4 · answered by bush_is_an_idot 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lithium has been the drug of choice for Bipolar disorder for decades, it has a proven track record. It can take up to three weeks to build an adequate level of control depending of course upon the dose and your hubby's metabolic rate. Side effects vary greatly from one person to the next, so read the informational insert that comes with the drug.
2006-10-11 16:58:19 · answer #5 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hide the credit card/debit/ATM cards, the alcohol, and the checkbook from him. those always get me in trouble.
i just started taking lithium one week ago, and it has totally changed my life. it only took about three days to kick in, but once it did, i could feel the difference. make sure he drinks 8 glasses of water during the day, drinks absolutely no alcohol, and drinks some gatorade with his lithium pill. this is very important b/c if he gets dehydrated enough, the body will confuse the lithium salt with the sodium chloride his body needs to retain fluids. this causes the lithium to go to places in his body it shouldn't go to- which can kill him. but if he drinks enough water and some gatorade, which will help retain the water, then he will be fine.
he needs to listen to his body very closely because it may take up to a year to establish the correct dosage level that he needs.
2006-10-11 17:00:56 · answer #6 · answered by miss advice 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't say which meds he has tried, but olanzapine will squash mania flat in hours (tablet form) or minutes if injected. Get to a psychiatrist or ER fast. Lithium and other maintenance treatments wll take a while to kick in - days to weeks.
2006-10-12 03:51:17 · answer #7 · answered by Random Bloke 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only another bipolar can help your man but he has to ask for it on line. Otherwise you are only spinning your wheels. Get on with your life and dont pretend. You will not be able to push a rope either.
2006-10-11 17:00:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋