Manic-depressive illness (bipolar)

[Steve_B]

I think that as time goes on, that may be my diagnosis. I’ve been withdrawn and unsociable for months now, until yesterday. I have had medication changes along the way, but nothing in about the past 6 weeks. That’s why I think bipolar is the problem. This mood swing does not seem related to meds, at least that's what I think. Anybody that knows me down here in the lounge, knows that I would post frequently, and actually say something funny from time to time. It has been months now, since I have really said much here. I just didn’t want to do anything but sit and watch TV all day, and not communicate with anybody besides my wife. Sometimes I felt so crappy I couldn’t even gather the strength to go out to the mailbox. Anyway that’s the story of my absence. I hope this upward trend lasts for a while, because the downside of this thing really stinks. I’m seeing my psychiatrist tomorrow, so maybe it will finally be determined what the deal is. I don’t know if it can really be treated any better than it is now because some of my meds I'm already taking are for bipolar.
All right, you may all return to your regularly scheduled programs.

[LittlePuff]

Are you on Lithium?

Kim

[Steve_B]

No, but I think he hasn't put me on it because he really wasn't sure what my problem is. I haven’t had these symptoms in years. I think I got really up for a while in 1999 and then just stayed depressed until I quit drinking last year. Maybe lithium will be the next step.

[bulldog12]

Hey Steve. Man I'm sorry to hear about your problems. I could tell from talking with you in the past you are a great guy. Just try to keep you head up as much as you can. Maybe you and your wife might want to go on a vacation and get away from things for a while if possible. Best of luck to you man. The sunrise is coming around the corner for ya.

[Steve_B]

Thanks for the kind words

[keckles]

It's got to be all that work you do fulfilling your duties as Grand Poo bah of the Earth. You need to slow down and give yourself a break

Seriously, I hope you overcome this and heres to the upward trend, may it last forever

[thrlride]

Well said Keckles! Welcome back Steve, good to see you post again!

[phuzzy3d]

Well lithium is used for serious bipolar issues, and is damaging to your body. You really don't want to be on it.

Abilify, Nuerontin, Seroquel, SSRI (celexa, lexapro, paxil, etc.), Wellbutrin, Depakote. These a great majority of the common bipolar medications used currently. There is a also sleep management meds that you can should consider if your sleepy schedule is erratic, which is very common with bipolars.

[O'Coralman]

Originally posted by phuzzy3d
Well lithium is used for serious bipolar issues, and is damaging to your body. You really don't want to be on it.

Abilify, Nuerontin, Seroquel, SSRI (celexa, lexapro, paxil, etc.), Wellbutrin, Depakote. These a great majority of the common bipolar medications used currently. There is a also sleep management meds that you can should consider if your sleepy schedule is erratic, which is very common with bipolars.

Yep.........Steve B. as Wilafur said in a thread similar to this......I started..........welcome to my world. Stay away from lithium. It totally re-wired me.......nope, nope, not anymore.

Seroqeul.......yep, yep. Although it can for some folks make you tired. This weekend after my last perfornce for a few weeks, I am going to give Risperdal a once a day at night pill, a try. It is suppose to be seroguel without the pronounced sedative effect. I do not want any changes to things till I'm finished with my Spring performances being over with.

I'll PM you later on today or feel free to PM me

..... O'Steve

[ginntonic74]

Welcome to the club. Really not a club you want to be a part of.
I'm not going to say hope you get better because anyone who has this knows there is really no getting better, but hope things go well.
I am currently taking 1500mg of depakote a day. 500 3x. I cannot take the extended release once a day because i get really bad headaches when it starts to wear off. Not that i dont have headaches everyday. Sometimes i want to just stop taking it so they go away.
Im going to the doctor to see if they suggest switching my meds. No lithium for me thanks, but no thanks.

[Steve_B]

Thanks keckles, thrlride and all who have commented. Seroquel is one of the 4 or 5 meds I'm already on. They even tried Thorizene (sp?), but it had some bad side effects, aside from really doing nothing to help. I just got back from the doctor and we are changing some of the dosage on my current meds. I guess we will see how things are going at my next appointment in a month. I'm also seeing a therapist, who seems like a waste of time, but I have been told to give it a chance.

[LittlePuff]

I'm glad to see that others have given you some alternatives to Lithium that you can discuss. I'd do as much research as possible on each of them before you talk to your Dr. I'm glad there are others here to share their experiences and encouragement with you. Please take care of yourself and keep us posted.

Kim

[O'Coralman]

Steve_B......here is a little more of the subject......Bi-Polar

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=523263

[3_high_low]

Hi Steve!

It's good to hear you're feeling better.

Wanna sell the Corvette?

j/k

[Wolverine]

Originally posted by phuzzy3d
Nuerontin, Seroquel, SSRI (celexa, lexapro, paxil, etc.), Wellbutrin, Depakote. These a great majority of the common bipolar medications used currently. There is a also sleep management meds that you can should consider if your sleepy schedule is erratic, which is very common with bipolars.

The majority of those are antidepressants, and in some cases are contraindicated in true bipolar because they can set off a serious manic episode. I've seen several patients who haven't been able to sleep for weeks from this.

Also, to discuss lithium's toxicity but to ignore those of medications like depakote isn't looking at the whole picture, IMO. For many patients lithium is a godsend.

Dave

[O'Coralman]

Originally posted by Wolverine
The majority of those are antidepressants, and in some cases are contraindicated in true bipolar because they can set off a serious manic episode. I've seen several patients who haven't been able to sleep for weeks from this.

Also, to discuss lithium's toxicity but to ignore those of medications like depakote isn't looking at the whole picture, IMO. For many patients lithium is a godsend.

Dave

Dave you are dead right on things.....for some lithium IS the answer. Alot of those meds are just what you say......at least they were with me. My BP is not so severe that I cannot see the effects meds are having. Seroquel.in the right dose works.....not the right dose...Uh oh!!! Thanks for your input

[Steve_B]

I'M GOING TO MAKE A LIST OF THE "COCKTAIL" I’m ON SOON. I THINK THEY TOOK THE SCATTER GUN APPROACH, AND JUST THREW EVERYTHING THEY HAD AFTER MY DETOX. DON'T GET ME WRONG, MY DEPRESSION OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAS NOT BEEN SEVERE, I JUST HAD NO DESIRE TO COMMUNICATE OR SOCIALIZE WITH ANYBODY. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE DEPRESSION THAT WAS SO OVERWHELMING THAT MY ONLY RELIEVE WAS TO GET SO DRUNK THAT I FELT NOTHING. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE MANIA THAT MADE ME FEEL LIKE I COULD NO WRING AND GET AWAY WITH ANYTHING.
BTW, THIS WAS ALL IN CAPS BECAUSE I DIDN’T NOTICE IT UNTIL I WAS HALF WAY THREW MY COMMENT TO REWRITE IT

[phuzzy3d]

Originally posted by Wolverine
The majority of those are antidepressants, and in some cases are contraindicated in true bipolar because they can set off a serious manic episode. I've seen several patients who haven't been able to sleep for weeks from this.

Also, to discuss lithium's toxicity but to ignore those of medications like depakote isn't looking at the whole picture, IMO. For many patients lithium is a godsend.

Dave

Your correct with that statement. But there is no ONE drug that manages bipolar. For one it's only move to the forefront here in the past 10 years. This is why most people that are being treated are recieving a cocktail. For me I tend to be more depressive than manic, so my coctail is a bit heavy on the anti-depressant side. I agree with you depakote is pretty gnarly also. I refused to take it. The best advice is to stay on your meds, talk to your doctor, and know that your not alone.

[sunamoon]

I know a couple of people in my family have had success with Lexapro. Including myself. This has had nearly no side affects either.

Keep fighting for yourself Steve. you deserve for everyday to be a good day! It will happen, believe it!

[O'Coralman]

Steve_B........do you do anything phisically? I do not mean just exercise. This is the ANSWER......in part. Without the Leprechaun and all my dancing......Steve_W....me...... would be a mess. The meds work only if you do. here are the most important all CAPS YOU GOTTA WORK YOUR TAIL OFF. WE BP PEOPLECANNOT JUST SIT. EXPRESS YOURSELF PHISICALLY, SPIRITUALLY, AND "LET IT ALL HANG OUT"......IF YOU DO NOT THEN THE DARKNESS WILL WIN.........PERIOD. That said I'km going to get my motorcyle out....I wil now quote Grace Slick......."

[O'Coralman]

.............well then shake yourself a little more. Buy a new set of threads and troll for smiles

[Steve_B]

Thank you for all of the encouraging comments and advice.
This is a list of the medications I’m currently taking:
22.5 mg of Remeron (one 45 mg broken in half.)
Lamictal, 400mg
Seroquel, 300-600mg
Valium, as needed (max 30mg)
Ambien, as needed (10mg)
Phentermine, 75mg
One of the negative effects of Seroquel was a dramatic increase in appetite, which has caused a 40 lb. weight gain since last May.
We tried probably 3 or 4 different drugs to substitute for seroquel, but none of them worked, or had bad side effects, thus the appetite suppressant Phentermine.
We will stay on this program as long as things continue to work out.
I’m working on a diet and excesice program that I think will help as well.
I realize that there is no cure for this illness. The best we can do is finding the right combination of meds to maintain it.
BTW, Valium may be considered something that will bring down my mood, but it actually helps when I’m having an anxiety attack, with can become depression.

Again, thanks for all of kind remarks

[zachattack]

You definitely are not bipolar. Depression perhaps, but not bipolar.

This doctor recomends that you quit your job, sell everything you own, stop taking your meds, move (Chicago? It's freekin cold there) to a warm central american coastal country, and live the rest of your days in complete bliss...