bi-polar needs help!?

Question

anyone have any suggestions i could ask my dr. about for meds? prozac has stopped helping and my insurance doesnt want to cover the symbyax he prescribed. does anyone take lithium? if so does it help your symptoms? i feel very depressed and need some serious relief b4 i do something stupid!

Answer 1

I'm Bipolar I and have been all my life. For a very long time I refused to go on any meds because I didn't want them to "control" me and I didn't want to give up how "great" the highs made me feel (erroneously so). When I finally faced the fact that the disorder wasn't going away I agreed to start lithium. I've been on it for over 20 years and it's made a world of diference in my life--and those around me. I've had some problems with toxicity, but have been able to go back on at a lower dose and monitor it more closely. Exercise is good for keeping moods up and my psychiatrist encourages it. However, he also cautions me that excessive sweating during workouts means I run the risk of becoming toxic so I have to stay hydrated and pace myself.

Lithium is a great drug for severe bipolars. Those with less severe symptoms may not need the relief it can provide. Therefore, you need to talk to your psychiatrist (assuming you are seeing one and not a regular doctor or a prescribing nurse) about what kind of bipolar you are. He'd probably start you off on a very low dose and then increase it if needed. Just be sure you go for all your lab work appointments.

Tell the doctor your concerns and how you're feeling--be candid, even if you're afraid he'll think you're being silly. When he can ascertain where you are then he may decide you need any one of a number of psychotropic drugs. It may be Neurontin, Seroquel, Topomax (originally developed for seizures, but helpful for bipolars) the list goes on and on.

I know it's hard to be feeling this way. It's scary not knowing if you'll do something stupid--even if it's inadvertent. If you can't get an appointment, call the doctor's office and leave a message. Maybe he can talk to you over the phone and give you some temporary relief.

Sounds like you're new to the "bipolar world". You really should go to serious websites (like Medline--definitely not Wikipedia) and preferably books on the subject to learn more about the disorder and how to cope with it.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Oh my gosh..i am going by way of the identical factor right here..despite the fact that I am 35. You are so younger. YET, you sound like me whilst I used to be 18. Do you get your self so wound up that you just suppose as in case you would do unsafe matters? Or even simply matters you did not believe by way of appropriately? That would be bi-polar. I have simply discovered that there are distinct phases of bi-polar as good. There is persons who get to that MANIC degree of it as I defined. I additionally query this too. I've been on anti-depressents without end and now a dr if commencing me on whatever for 30 days type of as an ordeal due to the fact they can not inform me if I'm bi-polar or now not. One dr says sure, one dr says no. It's so rough. The pleasant factor I'd say to do if discover a therapist first! and discover a psychiatrist. I used to be under no circumstances advised this whilst I used to be your age. I want I knew at the moment. A therapist is there to TALK to that's so principal. Some pysch dr's will speak however now not so much as I've discovered. They very nearly write out the tablet script and ship you to your means. Do you undergo from any panic assaults? There are exams on-line I suppose that may aid you as good in case you reply them appropriately. Maybe Google seek , Tests for bi polar? Hope this is helping!

Answer 3

There are good meds besides prozac and lithium for the treatment of Bipolar disorder. I just don't know what they are. But your doctor should know, or he knows a psychiatrist who specializes in bipolar.So challange your doctor to come up with some answers.

Answer 4

I am bipolar type I. I take a mixture of lithium, lamictal, and abilify. I have noticed improvement since I began taking them. I have more energy and less suicidal thoughts. I've heard that lithium is the best for treating bipolar. You may want to ask your doctor if you can try it. It is also very very cheap.

Answer 5

I had a roommate who was seriously bipolar, and smoked marajuana to treat the depression. It worked, but one needs to decide what they want to be dependent on and who they're willing to pay for it.

If excersize and St. John's Wort aren't doing it, Other drugs to consider could be zoloft or a generic version(Sertraline). There's a full list here: http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/

Answer 6

You need to talk to your doctor because people react differently to medications. If you don't feel like he/she is helping you do not be afraid to go to someone else. I've been there. Good luck

Answer 7

i dont know about meds but i have heard of studys that prove that exerscise on a dayly basis is just as effective. i am not saying not to be on your meds but please also watch as much comedy as possible women need the company of women friends to produce important chemicls to feel joy. eat small meals often .expose yourself to at least 10 min of sunlight daily.
try new hobbies never put your emotional eggs in one basket.get plenty of sleep avoid to much cafeene . i would recomend no alcahaul. try yoga.meditate.

Answer 8

ask about mood stableizer meds. prozac doesnt do much for that.
try something to help stableize your moods like lamictal or trileptal.

Answer 9

I would go to a doctor that is very open-minded, not narrow-minded. Hopefully your doctor is. Medicine, if you have very severe bipolar, I suppose may be necessary. But an excellent doctor will help you to treat all the underlying causes, through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD. teaches most excellent techniques in dealing with depression and rapid, racing thinking. This cognitive therapy Dr. Kabat-Zinn teaches has proven to be quite successful for people from all walks of life, for people from all backgrounds, & for the religious and non religious people. He uses Mindfulness Meditation as a basis for his therapy to help people with all mental and emotional "challenges" they face on a daily basis. What he teaches, one can easily learn and put into practice for themselves with very positive results. Medicine helps a bit, but individuals must learn to develop successful coping skills. And Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD. provides this through his simple techniques.
He has many books and audio CD books out which have been proven to be quite successful, he also has a successful clinic in Mass.
We all only have One life to live here on planet earth, so please do not do anything stupid. You and your life is precious. You are a loving person and are also worthy to be loved. "First by Yourself and then by others." Please do not sell yourself short. Your life is important.
A few titles of Dr. Kabat-Zinn's books are "Coming to our Senses - healing ourselves through Mindfulness Meditation", "Mindfulness Meditation" for beginners, "Full Catastrophe Living: using the wisdom of your mind and body to face stress, pain, depression, illnesses." Also
"Calming Your Anxious Mind: How Mindfulness and Compassion can free you from anxiety, fear, and panic." And "Guided Mindfulness Meditation - Audio CD's" These are just to name a few. At one time in my life I was given "A Label" by a doctor. I learned how to exercise Mindfulness Meditation, for only 15 min. a day. I now see things as they really are in life. I see myself totally different. I have been practicing Mindfulness Meditation for 4 years now. And have been off all medications for 3 years now. Some may have to continue on meds. that is fine. But it is to your advantage to learn excellent coping strategies. Mindfulness Meditation is the Most excellent form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy there is!!
It works. And it only takes some effort on our part as individuals to learn these successful strategies. Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn's Books and Audio CD books and information is a tool which should be utilized. His books start at only $3.70 through Amazon.com
And Christmas and other holidays of giving are coming up. Ask for some of these books.

Mindfulness Meditation also improves ones concentration, memory, improves ones ability to be patient and forgiving, greatly improves ones Cognitive abilities, decreases stress, helps one deal with anger, decreases anxiety (worry) alot, produces kindness and forgiveness with otherselves toward ourselves and others, provides Peace and Happiness.

This is all I know to say that will successfully help you with all you are going through. The changes take place from the inside-out.

Most importantly, Love yourself and be kind and forgiving toward yourself.