What is the best bipolar medication with the least side effects?

Question

I am 19 years old and I just had my first little girl on 1-1-07, I am currently suffering from postpartum depression. at 14 years old I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, opositional defiance disorder, and depression. Since I was 14 I was using drugs (various drugs) I believe this was caused by my depression and bipolar disorder. I have now been clean since June 25,05. But I have been going through a lot of hard times with being a new mom. I love my daughter so much she lights up my life she is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I do everything for her but as much time as I put into her I feel like I have NO time for myself so I'm a mess I barely take care of myself I feel like I have no energy I almost feel like im in a black hole and I feel so guilty because I am so blessed to have this beautiful little girl. I need to know everyone's oppinion that has ever dealt with bipolar disorder and depression on what is the best medications (mood stabilizers, anti psychotics, and anti depressants) to help me. I have already scheduled councelling because I know that will greately help my problem but I keep getting different crazy oppinions from doctors telling me take this take that and just give me things to deal with one problem NOT BOTH when that is what I need cause I know I need to be on a combination of two or more medications. SOME ONE HELP!! Thanx yall : )

Answer 1

I don't think your answer will be found here. Go to a mental health professional and start getting some help! Everyone responds differently to meds, so what might have been a miracle combination for one person might do nothing for you!

Answer 2

bipolar disorder includes depression as part of the cycle. Most medications tend to prevent the manic phase but have little affect on the depression symptoms, although lamatrogine has been shown to help with the depressive symptoms more than the manic ones. All medications have side effects and everyone reacts differently, not everyone will experience the same side effects. Your doctors are being sensible by trying one med at a time. This allows you to see how each one affects you both therepeutically and side effects. If you start taking a combination and have side effects you wont neccessarily know which med is causing problems. Better to start with one and then add another to tweak it. If you are anything like most bipolars this is going to be a lifetime struggle and hopefully we will learn more about the illness. I am 58 yrs old and have been on lots of different meds over time. Sometimes they work for a while and then don't. Although for most bipolars medication is neccessary it is not the magic solution, and you need to look at lifestyle, diet as well. You may want to try adding fish oil for Omega 3, (need at least 1gm EPA daily) and check out the caseinfree/glutenfree diet too. Regular exercise has been found to be as good as meds for depression. Many people with bipolar cannot take antidepressants as it can switch you to mania. Good that you are going to counselling. Definitely try the Omega 3 fish oil as it does help with depression and has no side effects other than the fishy burps! But you can get odourless one if that is a problem.

Answer 3

I am sure that since you have been diagnosed with Bi Polar disorder you know about the condition. However I must tell you that every medication is different for every person. My husband has been diagnosed and has been on 3 different kinds for about 4 months now. Why so many? It takes about 3-4 weeks before you know if a drug is taking the effect it needs to. You should consult with one Dr. and a therapist so that you won't be so confused. Being a new mom is hard, and I know at your age from experience. But my advice to you is to love your daughter. She didn't ask to be brought into the world. You need to be used to not having any time for yourself. It will be like that until she moves out of your house. (Which I can guarantee will be at a much later date.) I hope this helps!

Answer 4

Sadly the part-results your experiencing are common for most antipsychotics on the market. It is part of their mechanism of action to cut down mind recreation (hallucinations, delusions). Some have less of these effects, but they also intent accelerated sedation. So it can be relatively of a trade-off ordinarily. There may be additionally Clozapine (Clozaril), which does now not raise as many of those aspect results, nonetheless this remedy can motive agranulocytosis (highly low white blood mobile depend), in an effort to receive the medication you have got to be monitored (firstly) weekly for the primary 6 months with blood draws. Thereafter, to acquire the treatment you have got to be monitored monthly or each 2 weeks (relying to your healthcare professional). In case you are discovered to have a diminished white blood cellphone depend you will be taken off the remedy completely and can have to change once more. The medication additionally motives high-quality weight achieve, as do most antipsychotics.

Answer 5

Lamictal is a good medication for Bipolar. It seems to help more with the depressive stage. Also, you may need to try an antianxiety med along with it.
"Compared to lithium and valproic acid, Lamictal may not be as effective in stabilizing a manic episode, however, it may be more effective in treating depressive episodes experienced by individuals with bipolar disorder."
You can look into it more on the NAMI site.
http://www.nami.org/Hometemplate.cfm
Hope this helps. I wish you the best of luck. I am proud that you are seeking help as this disorder itself is hard to cope with and then you have your precious daughter to take care of.
Good Luck :)

Answer 6

The best medication of course is what medicine helps you the most. It certainly would be a med that levels you out. I dealt with my son for many years and I fought and never gave up, I think if I had, I would have lost him. He is doing so much better now but it is still there so he puts much of his energy into work. Only time will tell if I won. Good luck and keep fighting this problem.