i think my bipolar is atypical with mostly mixed states of mania and depression. apparently this type of bipolar is the hardest to treat. i was wondering what meds were successful. and does anyone else have an extreme problem with motivation? even when supposedly happy and stable?any advice on the subject of mixed bipolar would be helpful.

i think my bipolar is atypical with mostly mixed states of mania and depression. apparently this type of bipolar is the hardest to treat. i was wondering what meds were successful. and does anyone else have an extreme problem with motivation? even when supposedly happy and stable?any advice on the subject of mixed bipolar would be helpful.
Hi there--
I have had mostly mixed-state episodes, though my last was more classically manic. As you probably know, the longer you go untreated, the sicker you get when you have an episode. I've been on nearly all the different meds that are out there; abilify, which is a newer med, worked really well in stabilizing the mixed state when I was acute, though I experienced awful, awful panic symptoms. Now I have (finally) found a good combo: Depakote and Zoloft. It's hit or miss, and a long haul, but you just have to find a good doctor who is willing to hang in there with you--and of course, be absolutely religious about taking your meds everyday. Hang in there!

I have mixed episodes as well. I can't say there has been one combination of medications that has successfully alleviate my symptoms. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 40 yr and I refused to take my medications regularly for years after my diagnosis.

I believe that allowing my BP to run rampant for so long is one of the reasons
I have been so hard to treat and why my BP is so severe.

Right now I am taking Lithobid, Klonopin, Provigil, Effexor, Lexapro, and something to control my shaking. This is a lot of medicine, a lot more than I care to take. While this combination has evened out the mania, I still am
suffering from depression. Another problem with my medication is that it leaves me feeling quite neutral: no highs, no lows, just beige. Everything is beige and I can't sort out my real feelings from BP feelings..

What's motivation? It's been so long since I felt motivated, I'm not sure I even remember what it feels like.

I realize this is of little help to you. I just wanted to let you know that medications for effective treatment for BP are quite individualistic: what works for one person won't work for another, and that medications may work for a time then suddenly stop being effective. It's hit or miss and extremely time consuming. Most of these medicines don't start working right away, you
must give them 4-6 wks in order to see if they are going to work and that's a long time when you're feeling miserable. It's as Schwartz wrote: you have to find a doctor who is willing to work with you to try and find a combination that works.
Good luck.

thanks everyone. i've been in denial of my bipolar for the last 5 years. it wasn't untill this last episode that i decided to listen to my doctor and try lithium. it actually works great for me. no fatigue or fuzziness. still lacking in motivation but im hoping and antidepressant will help. i was wondering if any antidepressants help with motivation. whats provigil? is that an antidepressant! im trying to get ahold of my stablity right this time cause i can't miss out on any more of my life. batmatic i hope things work out for you. the beige feeling is exactly why i've resisted medicane. i understand the problem of sorting out you feelings from bipolar. do you have a therapist? im a little naive at this. well, i hope things get better.

hi, I am also bipolar with mixed state episodes...I was just diagnosed a couple of months ago and am now on lithium and lamictal. I was also on abilify but had weird side effects so my doctor took me off of it. I'm going to try geodon, but I admit, i'm nervouse about it...it's so individual--like mixing drinks...good luck.