I am bipolar and need some advice.?

Question

I am on lamitrogin, ativan and effexor. I have managed a relatively normal life for the past year. However, for the past month, I have been feeling paralyzed; I can't move to do anything. I have a lot to get done but am incapable at the moment. I'd rather not explain my situation to avoid doing the work because no one is aware of my condition and I like it that way. They have noticed that I have changed a little in the past week but they assume it's just the lack of sleep and immense work load.

What should I do about this paralyzing feeling? I am a perfectionist and it kills me inside because I can't even start on anything. My greatest wish is to just dissapear and not face this sort of thing anymore. I have been bipolar for 10 years now and I don't know when I can just go on with my life without worrying about these episodes that leave me in so much pain.

I also have very irregular periods. Is it safe to take the pill and all my other medications?

Answer 1

Hmmm, are you sure it is bi-polar and not caused by PCOS? Irregular menses is a symptom of PCOS.
I ask because I was DX as bi-polar when infact it was depression and PMDD caused by the hormone imbalances of PCOS. There were plenty of times where I was obsessive (perfectionist), depressed (lacking energy and tearful), paranoid and manic - and they would change on a dime and happen on any day - due to the hormone changes.

Please see your OB/GYN if you think this may apply to you, there are links below to some info on PCOS so you can determine if it might apply to you.

As for med interactions, please contact your physician or pharmacist for consultation about this to be sure, but I believe most BCP can be taken with most bi-polar meds.

Answer 2

Because of the nature of our systems, a medication which worked really well for some time may just stop being as effective as it once was. It's quite common to have to change medications, sometimes after several years of use, sometimes after a shorter period. It's possible that you are at that point now. I'm not familiar with lamitrogin, but ativan and effexor are, I believe, more for anxiety than for bi-polar. Have you ever been on lithium, depakote or celexa? These are all good, though each person
reacts differently to the different meds. The point is, there a many good meds out there, and they're coming up with better and more specific ones all the time. You don't need to live your life in this kind of emotional pain. Make an appointment with your doctor now.
(You should discuss the safety and effectiveness of "the pill" in combination with your other meds, with both your ob/gyn and the doctor who prescribes your psychiatric meds. Always keep all of your doctors informed regarding all meds you're taking, including OTC drugs and herbals.)
P.S. If there's any way you can take even a short time off, maybe just a four-day weekend, and get a little rest and peace, you should do whatever it takes to do it. When you have a heavy load at work with a lot of stress and a perfectionist personality, you beat yourself into the ground when you are least able to handle it. All it does is make things worse. It's a vicious cycle.

Answer 3

You just explained a majority of my Bipolar problems. Yhey suck. You sound like you are depressed, you are probaly scared to death of what comes next. When we get depressed as bipolar people we simply just want to give up, but sweetie we cannot. one minute at a time (at Times) i just pray and pray and get throughit. It is VERY HARD illness at times to deal with. I am a perfectionist also. Itseems as though when i am on meds, then they stop working after a while, so here i go back to see Docs. and then they want to add more meds or whatever. I work, so i cannot have my head hanging between my legs, and that is what some of these meds do. Just remeber this is withus the rest of our lives and it is up to us to make the best of it. I hate having to worry about the dam episodes that do come on. They scare the hell out of me. My advise is to pray. That is what gets me through most of my days. Good or bad. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

Answer 4

As far as being on the "pill" and the rest of your meds, I'm not sure. You need to check with your docotor about that. But, I can tell you what I do believe that your problem is. I believe that you need to try out a new Anti-Depressant. It sounds like you are having MIXED EPISODES (Depression and Mania). The paralyzing feeling is coming from the depression. Talk to your Psychiatrist about getting tried on a new Anti-Depressant or a higher dosage! Take care and God Bless!