Hi,

Can anybody explain why mood stabilisers should only be taken for 2 - 5 years?

What happens after this time?

Is the person with bipolar cured?

Or is it because they're dangerous and shouldn't be taken longer than this?

Or is there some other reason?

And after this time how likely is it once they come off the mood stabilisers they will have another episode?

Hi eowyn,

I have never heard of mood stabilizers only being taken for 2-5 yrs. Just curious where you heard this? Many take lithium/other mood stabilizers for life...as bipolar is a lifelong illness and the meds are the key to management and stability. Usually the benefits outweigh the risks of the medications, although it can take awhile to find the right meds.

Best,
4support

AMEN, 4 Support. I've never heard of that either.

Hi eowyn,

I have never heard of mood stabilizers only being taken for 2-5 yrs. Just curious where you heard this? Many take lithium/other mood stabilizers for life...as bipolar is a lifelong illness and the meds are the key to management and stability. Usually the benefits outweigh the risks of the medications.

Best,
4support

that's what I couldn't understand.

But I have read it several times, several publications, the doctors treating my friend told her it. And I've read it on the Royal College of Psychiatry website.

that's what I couldn't understand.

But I have read it several times, several publications, the doctors treating my friend told her it. And I've read it on the Royal College of Psychiatry website.

Well, here in the U.S. for what it's worth, my husband has had 4 psychiatrists, his family doctor and an excellent therapist who have all advised him to lifelong management with medications. Lithium requires regular blood tests for monitoring, but is safe when taken properly. I'm sure each medication is different, but there are many available, and many more on the horizon. Possibly some are not to be taken more than a few years, but then another one can be used. The thing is...bipolar is not curable...and being unmedicated presents much bigger problems, again benefits outweighing the risks.

It may be helpful for you to read some of the information available on www.nami.org.

Regards,
4

Well, here in the U.S. for what it's worth, my husband has had 4 psychiatrists, his family doctor and an excellent therapist who have all advised him to lifelong management with medications. Lithium requires regular blood tests for monitoring, but is safe when taken properly. I'm sure each medication is different, but there are many available, and many more on the horizon. Possibly some are not to be taken more than a few years, but then another one can be used. The thing is...bipolar is not curable...and being unmedicated presents much bigger problems, again benefits outweighing the risks.

It may be helpful for you to read some of the information available on www.nami.org.

Regards,
4

That's interesting. I think they wanted my friend to take lithium, but she won't because she doesn't see the point in taking meds when she's in a period of wellness. She keeps saying people with headaches don't take meds when they don't have a headache. And she uses other examples. The problem is her views seem to change every time i speak to her. She's currently had her fifth episode in two years, and her seventh known episode since the first one in 1998 which again she doesn't view as bipolar episode. Very difficult.

The other problem is when she tried to kill herself in 1998 her liver almost failed, they had a transplant team on standby, and so she also uses that as a reason/excuse why she shouldn't go on meds longterm. She won't listen to the doctors, because she knows best.

She's currently fighting a crusade against teh doctors, has been doing so since all this flared up again in 2005 and I don't see it stopping any time soon.

hi eowyn,
I can offer an explanation for carbamazapine (the mood stab that I am on). I regularaly have to have blood tests for my LFT's. The active ingredient in carbamaz worsk on the CYP450's in the liver - too much of this is a bad thing...

Hope that helps.
Nut.

One thing I've noticed from being on this website is the mental illness is treated differently in the UK. American psychiatrists are much more likely to change drugs more quickly and more likely to prescribe drugs in combinations. I am quite confidant in saying that you would not read that mood stabilizers can only be taken for a few years in the US.

All current research is indicating that the earlier BP is diagnosed and treated, the less severe the symptoms will be. It is now known that BP is not something that you grow out of, or that goes away as one ages. In fact the opposite is true. In an untreated bipolar, the symptoms from depression or mania become more severe. Also the episodes of mania or depression last longer and the time of "stability" in between episodes shortens. In the past there wasn't much data on this because the life span of an unmedicated BP wasn't all that long. But not people are being followed for generations

Your friend's concern for her liver is well-placed. Regular blood draws are required with some of the mood stabilizers as they can be toxic if the levels are too high, and are otherwise ineffective if too low. As with any medication, you have to weight the risks against the benefits.

Well, here in the U.S. for what it's worth, my husband has had 4 psychiatrists, his family doctor and an excellent therapist who have all advised him to lifelong management with medications. Lithium requires regular blood tests for monitoring, but is safe when taken properly. I'm sure each medication is different, but there are many available, and many more on the horizon. Possibly some are not to be taken more than a few years, but then another one can be used. The thing is...bipolar is not curable...and being unmedicated presents much bigger problems, again benefits outweighing the risks.

It may be helpful for you to read some of the information available on www.nami.org.

Regards,
4

Totally agree... bipolar is for life

I've been on Lithium and Trileptal for several years now and my blood tests always turn out just fine. I do have some digestive side effects and It's hard for me to sleep most nights, but I really shouldn't complain. I also take Abilify, Seroquel, and Celexa. My pdoc has said on several occasions that he thinks my liver metabolizes medications rather quickly, so that may have something to do with my lack of bad side effects. As far as people not taking anything when they have headaches, most headaches are acute. Bipolar Disorder is a chronic illness. It won't go away by it's self. Headaches generally go away even if left untreated. Trust me, if she had a migrane, she'd treat it.

As far as people not taking anything when they have headaches, most headaches are acute. Bipolar Disorder is a chronic illness. It won't go away by it's self. Headaches generally go away even if left untreated. Trust me, if she had a migrane, she'd treat it.

Hi thanks for your comments.

But you misunderstood about the headaches.

My friend doesn't see the point in taking meds when she is in a so called period of wellness. She uses teh example of a person with a headache. When you have a headache you take meds. But that person wouldn't take meds once the headache has gone. And that's her theory - why should she take meds when she's in a period of wellness.

One thing I've noticed from being on this website is the mental illness is treated differently in the UK. American psychiatrists are much more likely to change drugs more quickly and more likely to prescribe drugs in combinations. I am quite confidant in saying that you would not read that mood stabilizers can only be taken for a few years in the US.

Your friend's concern for her liver is well-placed. Regular blood draws are required with some of the mood stabilizers as they can be toxic if the levels are too high, and are otherwise ineffective if too low. As with any medication, you have to weight the risks against the benefits.

Thansk for your comments.

One reason is that you guys pay insurance and so insurance pays out. Whereas in the UK we have the NHS and I think corners are being cut. I could be wrong...

It is true that her concern for her liver is well-placed. But it's more because she doesn't see point in taking meds when she's in a period of wellness. And this has been going on for years, and I don't see it stopping any time soon.

I've kind of decided if she goes into hospital again or has another episode I will risk my friendship with her and tell her some home truths she doesn't want to hear. that may sound nasty to some but virtually every conversation I have with her her theories change.

I watched my dad die of heart disease over 15 years, and another friend waste away to cancer. My energy is running out with my friend. I need a break from it.

And it's always me calling her. the only time she calls me is when she's in hospital or just come out. When she's in her so-called period of wellness she doesn't call me and personally I don't actually think she is well.

I don't know what to do anymore.