Recomendations for meds?

Question

I have been diagnosed as bipolar and after reading answers to my last question it seems paxil isn't the way to go. I have an appointment Tuesday to get medications but I would like to have an idea of "real"people's takes on meds. Anyone have a med they absolutely love or hate? What is so great/horrible about it? I'm willing to trust my doc i just think it'd be nice if he gives me options to know what I am dealing with. Thanks :)

Answer 1

There are so many ways to go. If it were me, I'd ask for the good old standby Prozac. When I researched meds for friends, it was the one with the least side effects, fewest risks in combination with other things and the best overall results for the longest period of time. It also has been around long enough to have a good history. No one had anything negative to say about it.

Answer 2

You're quite right to get off Paxil. As an antidepressant it has a good chance of sending you off into mania (same is true of Prozac, so for God's sake ignore that answer, and I speak from personal experience here).

Bipolar is treated with one or more mood stabilisers. There are two main classes of drugs, anti-convulsants and anti-psychotics (don't get freaked out by the name), and then there's Lithium. Lithium is the first line treatment for Bipolar 1 (long, slow episodes and full blown mania). If you are bipolar 2, you're likely to start on Depakote or Lamictal, or maybe Seroquel or Abilify.

Depending on whether you're mainly depressed or mainly manic, you may also be prescribed a low dose anti-depressant or an anti-psychotic.

Everyone is different, so expect to try a few different combinations before you find one that suits you. FWIW, I'm on Lamictal and Zyprexa, and I have no side effects and feel great.

Best of luck.

For more info on the meds, look at http://www.crazymeds.org or come and visit fellow bipolars at http://z9.invisionfree.com/Bipolar_Haven

Answer 3

OK young lady, I take lithium for my bi-polar disorder. I like it because it's cheap, about $30 for a months supply & I take 4 a day suppose to be 5 but I take 4. Other meds are very expensive & you can afford this without insurance. Mine was perscribed in Missouri in the good old USA last year after being perscribed alot of different medication.

Answer 4

Well when I first found out I was Bi-Polar which was about 5 yrs ago they started me out on paxel.Then as we went on I was prescribed Wellbutrin,Lamictal,Straterra,Abilify and Seraquil.I dont rec commend any of them as for about a year I was a complete zombie.I couldn't get out of bed to even play with my 3yr old daughter.I finally went off everything last year and asked for one medication.I'm on Wellbutrin 150 mg in the morning and 150 in the afternoon.Theres hardly any side effects at all.This also took me switching Psychiatrist to find the right person to talk to not just someone who wants to keep you drugged up all the time.I've been only on Wellbutrin now for about a year and doing great.It takes time to notice your moods and how to control them.Good Luck.It's hard work.As for Lithium they dont really use that med very much anymore even for Bi-polar.At least not here in the states.

Answer 5

First please explain to your doctor ALL of your symptoms. He/She can better judge what you may or may not need. It is really up to them to make that descion.
I became addicted to xanax, badly. Taking almost 6mg. a day.
I went to my doc to get off of them, who in turn gave me zoloft.
That stuff made me worse. I mean it. It was awful. I was out of reality for weeks. Vomiting. I kept calling him he said it was withdrawl. Finally I went to him and told him I want off of the zoloft.
He took me off for a week and boom. All that vomiting stopped.
He then put me on Lexapro. I swear by this med. No side effects like I had with zoloft. I am feeling better and better as each day goes by.
There are sooooooooo many to try, and only your doc can keep trying till you get the "right mix". It may take weeks, or months before they know. BUT I do know that YOU will know within1 -2 days if the meds work for you. Trust me on that one.
Please go to WEBMD.com That will give you the information you will need to help you and your doc come up with the right thing for you.
PS. Down to 1mg a day on the xanax and doing great

Answer 6

I absolutely LOVE Abilify. I'm on 20mg and have been for about four years now. It works as a mood-stabilizer, anti-psychotic, anti-depressant and has anti-anxiety qualities. I take it in conjunction with other anti-depressants.

I totally HATE Depakote. I was on it for a year and it got out of hand, my levels were way beyond healthy, I gained 50 lbs and I lost all my memory. It got to the point where I'd be out driving and not know where I was or how I'd gotten there.

Answer 7

You are very intelligent in reaching these medications. All psychotropic medications have there risks. Look at Paxel, I believe a woman increases her chance of ovarian cancer buy 65%. If you want to research the different medications I believe 33 different SSRI's are mentioned on their information board at www.network54.com. Look for the mental health link under health. Good luck in your research and kudos for doing this.

Answer 8

Becareful some of those medicines can make you feel suicidal. Antidepressants. I told my doctor I am depressed at times but when she gave me a prescription I didn't go on it. You have to take it for a full week for it to activate in your system. Don't be too trusting of your doctor. They tend to prescribe medicines without knowing all they can do. When you get a medication take it as prescribed, look it up at webmd.com under the drug database. If you have any side affects that you don't care for wait till you see your doctor before you stop them. Just be safe. Everything will be fine.

Answer 9

The first line therapy for bipolar disorder is generally lithium. I would suggest doing your homework so you can discuss lithium & any other options with your doc before the appointment.

Answer 10

well, its good your doing your homework on it. if you want a second opinion why don't you look up who the mental health team is in your area. we have mental health workers here that treat people. find out what they have to say. go see another doctor or psychologist. would make sense to talk to a pyschologist about mental health issues rather then a family doctor.