I was diagnosed as bipolar last year but couldn't tolerate any of the meds. I'm on an antidepressant now, but am still having some pretty severe mood swings. Are there any bipolar meds that don't have very severe side effects?
2006-12-03 16:11:59 · 10 answers · asked by Rhondayvoo65 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
first of all, please dont listen to people who tell you that bipolar disorder is a made up problem. its caused by the neurotransmitters in your brain. its not your fault. and in most cases a simple anti depressant will not control the mood swings. you need to keep your doctor updated on your symptoms so they can alter your medication as needed. also, i would recommend seeing someone who specializes in mental health disorders not a regular family practitioner. and most of the meds that will help with the mood swings are also anti seizure medications. not the same thing works for everyone and they all have some possible side effects. you may not experience all or any of the side effects. and some side effects like headaches or constipation are worth dealing with instead of being angry or lashing out at the world around you. i am currently on Lamictal, and so far it is working but this is the fifth one i have tried. my aunt is on Selexa. its a trial and error process, but u have to keep going until you find one that works for you. good luck.
2006-12-03 16:37:26 · answer #1 · answered by mrsmohio 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Antidepressants without a mood stabiliser is potentially dangerous for someone with Bipolar Disorder (it nearly put me in the psych ward), so like others say, get a psychiatrist not a GP.
Anecdotally (and my own experience), Lamictal (lamotrigine) seems to have the lowest side effect profile of teh mood stabilising drugs, so it might be worth a try. You need to titrate up slowly, though, and getting to a therapeutic dose can be a rough ride, but once there I know many people who claim it is a lifesaver.
I also take Zyprexa (olanzapine) as a mood stabiliser, and I really like it, but it is notorious for weight gain.
Ask around at http://www.crazyboards.org
2006-12-05 11:50:42 · answer #2 · answered by Random Bloke 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Wow, lots of armchair psychiatrists responding to this one. I have been diagnosed with bipolar for 15 years. It would make your head spin to list all the medications and combos of medications I have taken. There are people who are really rather med resistant and it is an art to find that balance with the medications. I would hope that the comments being made here in regards to bipolar not being real or being over diagnosed won't discourage you from seeking treatment and help for yourself. There are many meds on the market now for bipolar. Many of those meds were developed in treating hard to treat bipolar cases. If you have a psychiatrist talk to him/her about your options. If you don;t have a psychiatrist, GET ONE!! Please, don't allow a general practitioner to prescribe you psych meds. They aren't specialists. If you are looking for a new doc call your insurance company or local clinic and ask for referrals to a psych who specializes in bipolar. they can help with the "tough" cases. I've been where you are...good luck! There is light at the end!
2006-12-04 00:41:18 · answer #3 · answered by nunciata22 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
bi polar is not a made up illness and medication is the only way. my brother was bipolar. when he was on medication, he enjoyed life, when he was off medication, he, and the family suffered greatly. i work in mental health. i see families with 5 children, and out of the five, 3 are bi polar, and they were all raised the same way. there goes the theory that upbringing has some thing to do with it. bi polar is a medical dysfunctional illness that responds only to medication. sorry i cant help with the best medications for you, but i am sure there are ones out there that will work better for you. never ,ever, blame yourself, or someone, for your illness, it is not your fault. mrsmohio and nunciata2 have some good advice. good luck
2006-12-04 08:30:57 · answer #4 · answered by zeek 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It's different for everyone. I would suggest trying different medications until you find the one you like. Medication and therapy at the same time is the best treatment.
2006-12-04 00:15:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I'm bipolar and I used to take lithium, but I didn't like the side effects. Now, I'm taking lamictal, abilify, and clonodine and they have no side effects on me that I'm aware of.
2006-12-04 00:26:39 · answer #6 · answered by Jen 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋
This might be helpful
http://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.com/
2006-12-04 10:33:59 · answer #7 · answered by LIz 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, I don't believe in bipolar disease no more than I believe in ADD...and if it does exist, then it is way-over diagnosed. In my travels I have learned that we, especially Americans, tend to blame every problem we have on a disease or a disorder instead of facing the real cause of our problems, or accepting certain truths. Take Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD for example. Too many kids are diagnosed as having this problem. Sometimes kids have trouble paying attention because they are KIDS. Some kids never learn to pay attention and grow up to become adults who never pay attention. I believe that Bipolar is the same. It's over diagnosed. Drugs can't fix everything. I have mood swings too but I don't run to the doctor. I meditate or go do something that changes my mood. Like a walk in a park or along the beach. When I am mad, I play video games. Medication is not always the answer.
2006-12-04 00:25:42 · answer #8 · answered by USAF, Retired 6 · 3⤊ 21⤋
Personally I do not advocate the use of drugs for emotional disorders.
You have to get a handle on your feelings.
Work through all the garbage the people around you were able to pile on you.
Be more realistic about the reality of life.
Or.
Thoroughly enjoy being a woman and pull out all the stops.
But.
Whatever you decide to do, there is price to pay.
Try meditation and see what results you get by consciously quieting your mind and your emotions.
2006-12-04 00:25:09 · answer #9 · answered by r_e_a_l_miles 4 · 3⤊ 18⤋
You're afraid of life. Find out why...what happened to you in your early childhood. Why didn't you develop self esteem and self love. Why do you think your world is spinning out of control? Do a self assessment test and come to understand that your caregivers made you this way. Bipolar is made up just like ADHD. Its made up to enrich psychologists, psychiatrist and PHARMACEUTICAL companies. There is no viable scientific evidence that supports these made up diseases. Do the research yourself. Do you just want someone to say you have a disease so you don't have to take personal responsibility for your life? There is dysfunction everywhere around us. Take Control of your life and your "bipolar" will disappear. Think about it, people used to drink to escape misery and unhappiness and they were called drunks. Now people take legal drugs and escape the stigma of being messed up. We all have some sort of dysfunction, some greater than others. Face your demons and they'll start to go away. As Joseph Campbell so eloquently and simply said in his book, "Follow your Bliss".
Most people don't.
2006-12-04 00:24:54 · answer #10 · answered by Logicnreason 2 · 4⤊ 22⤋