why is life????????????help..........?

Question

i am 28 yrs old. i have a 3 yr old daughter, a 7 year old son, and a 15 month old daughter. last year was diagnosed with bipolar nd have been on lithium, xanax, and effexor. my mind isnt right. i am tired all of the time. i am out of it like i dont know reality. i just dont understand why this is happening to me. my children are my life and without them, i might as well not be here. i need the right diagnosis about what is wrong with me, or the right med. i am so tired of waking up feeling the feelings of dread. what the hell is wrong with me? please help.

Answer 1

Bipolar Disorder Treatment: Medications, ECT and Therapy
As with heart disease and other medical conditions, bipolar disorder treatment focuses on taking the right medications and making lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of episodes. In most cases, symptoms can be managed with the right combination of medication, psychotherapy and social/emotional support. If left untreated, bipolar disorder tends to worsen, and the person experiences episodes of full-fledged mania and clinical depression.





Once bipolar medication is started, some individuals may live many years free of symptoms. Others continue to have mild but troubling depression or mood swings.

Alternative Treatments
Some people have reported good results from regular acupuncture treatments (twice a week for six months, to start with) as well as herbal and nutritional supplements.

Bipolar Medications
Most people with bipolar disorder—even those with the most severe forms—can be helped by bipolar medication. Because antidepressants alone can actually encourage episodes of mania or set off more frequent cycles, they are not the medication of choice in most cases of bipolar disorder. A mood stabilizer combined with an antipsychotic or anticonvulsant is typically prescribed as part of the bipolar disorder treatment plan.

Antidepressant Medications
While antidepressants are typically not prescribed alone for the treatment of manic depression, they are often prescribed in conjunction with another bipolar medication, typically a mood stabilizer, to help manage depressive episodes.

Common antidepressant medications include certain types of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Zoloft®, Paxil®, Prozac®) and monocyclic aminoketones (Wellbutrin®). Because they both have a low incidence of causing manic episodes, first choice antidepressants are Zoloft (especially in teens) and Wellbutrin. While Paxil is in the same class of drugs as Zoloft and Prozac, it also has anti-anxiety effects.

Mood Stabilizers
One mood stabilizing bipolar medication, lithium, is usually very effective in controlling mania and preventing the occurrence of both manic and depressive episodes. Exactly how lithium works is unknown. Lithium should not be used in cases of severe cardiovascular disease, renal disease, or brain damage. It also shouldn't be used when evidence of severe debilitation, dehydration or sodium depletion exists.

Anticonvulsant Medications
The anticonvulsants dicalproex (more commonly known as Depakote®) and valproate are becoming more frequently used in bipolar treatment, and have shown to be especially useful in hard to treat cases. For maximum effect, these medications are often combined with lithium. The FDA has approved both valproate and Depakote for treatment of acute mania.

Antipsychotics
Zyprexa® is a commonly prescribed antipsychotic medication for the short-term control of bipolar disorder. Zyprexa reduces the symptoms of mania by correcting elements of chemical imbalance that cause manic episodes.

The Compliance Problem
You might wonder why someone who takes lithium to control manic depression might suddenly stop taking his or her medication. After all, if you found a drug that got rid of your migraine headaches and had no serious side effects, why would you ever want the headaches back?

The truth is that the manic highs and even the depressive lows contribute some degree of "passion" to one's personality—or so it seems. While bipolar artists do their best painting and writers produce their best poetry during high or low episodes, they find that medication may leave them feeling quite flat and relatively lacking in emotion. When they get to a point where they fear the loss of their talent, and even their very livelihood, they may decide to stop taking medication in favor of regaining the extremes of emotion that they prefer.

Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), also known as electroshock therapy, was first used to treat schizophrenia in the 1940s. Doctors soon found that ECT was also helpful in relieving the symptoms of mood disorders, including bipolar disorder.

Electroconvulsive therapy is usually given every other day during the first few weeks. Treatments are then reduced to weekly, then every other week, and finally monthly. While the typical three to twelve ECT treatments may take place over a few months, patients often experience a relief in symptoms within the first couple of weeks. Interestingly, ECT is most effective in severe cases of manic depression.

Answer 2

I am not a doctor but I would say you are on too many drugs. Lithium itself can have some funky side effects that may be worse than the imbalance that it is treating. Maybe see a new shrink and see if they could give you a different medication regiment. I use to take lithium myself and did not like it at all. Now I just deal with the manic stages and take a subtle anti-depressant when the depression kicks in. Good Luck to you!

Answer 3

Take a vitamin B complex, and 4 fish oil supplements daily, and have a complete medical checkup, in case of low blood iron, or thyroid/adrenal problems, etc. Review your medication; try alternatives, but keep in mind that they can take up to 5 weeks to reach maximum effectiveness. Work up slowly to 30 - 60 mins of vigorous daily exercise, preferably in sunlight. Practice for 15 - 20 mins, and when needed, the method at http://www.dbtselfhelp.com or gaze at a burning candle in a quiet, darkened room for 20 mins daily. Both of these produce maximum results if practiced morning, afternoon, and evening. Tai Chi & yoga suits some (http://www.yogasite.com). Eat healthily, and keep occupied. View www.bipolarworld.net & http://www.dbsalliance.org Phone: [phone]

Answer 4

First of all, if you start feeling like you might do something rash, please go to an emergency room immediately!

Judging from your writing style, I'm guessing you're in the States. Look in the phone book for mental health organizations and call every number there until you find someone who'll listen and help--even a suicide hotline if that's all there is. Every state and most counties in them offer free or low-cost resources.

Do whatever you have to do to get yourself help.You're valuable and don't deserve to be in such pain!

Answer 5

My mother is going through the same thing girl. First you need to talk to your doctor try to switch meds, but watch out alot is addicting, and lethal when mixed. Then have your doctor recommended a psychiatrist, sometimes they have programs in county departments that are free. Bi polar, I believe, links to problems in your life not only the chemical imbalances in the brain. GOOD LUCK.

Answer 6

Are you taking your meds like you are supposed to?
If you are taking your med correctly and you still feel bad then you might need to get them re-adjusted. Remember that the med changes don't happen overnight, it takes a little bit of time for things to get right.
You might need to change dr's...

Good Luck

Answer 7

i'm wondering if you have the right diagnosis.

there seems to be a luvvy duvvy relationship between doctors and chemical drug companies where you are dependant on those drugs and feathering their pockets. but this is only my opinion.

i'm a believer of alternative medicine. i've seen, on many occasions where chemical meds seem to relieve the symptoms but not cure the ailment. quite the opposite with alternative remedies.

this is not to say that i'm urging you to choose. that would be presumptuous of me. but you owe it to yourself to, at least, be curious.

Answer 8

You need to talk to your doctor and get weekly therapy sessions arranged to deal with all you are going through.

Answer 9

I would strongly suggest that you read this and educate yourself about benzodiazepines such as xanax http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/

Hope things get better for you.

Answer 10

Hi, sorry to hear that. :(
But, why not talk to your doctor?
Do you really expect to find your answer here?
I wish you good luck. Cheers.