Those with Type II Bipolar What meds have helped you? How long did they take to work? - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

zigwyth · 03-01-2006, 12:42 PM

Just diagnosed as possible BP II. Can anyone tell me what the typical meds that I keep seeing pop up are used for? As well as what seems to be the safer ones to try.I posted another thread about the fact that I will be seeing a Psychiatrist next week and want to try and have info going in and see if I agree with his assessment. I basically go through mild to mid depressive bouts once a week. Suicidal tendacies once a quarter, manic states also about once every 2 months and extreme fatigue from lack of sleep. (Mind racing every night. Already have tried Paxil which nearly found me dead. Ambien/Xanax no longer helps, and Zyprexa which got me to sleep but still "Hungover " next day. Followingare the ones I keep seeing. Abilify, lithium, lamictal,seroquel, trazodone, etc. Thanks ZIG

buzzkill · 03-01-2006, 02:26 PM

Hello All
I take depkote 500mg twice a day for a mood stabilizer and Paxil for depression....thankfully this is working wonderfully for me...
After LOTS of trial and error- and a really bad go with Lithium.
Many years of self medicating and swinging

But it is up to each person what works. I hear Fish Oil works wonders too

Hope that helps!

klawk316 · 03-02-2006, 04:12 PM

Lithium worked best, 1200mg daily, eight years, took about three weeks to kick in, some side effect (light tremor and left a little flat). Would recommend.

Tried self medication for two years, big mistake.

Now on Lamictal, 250mg daily, 1.5 years, took four months to get up to 250, still swing a little, bad periodical short term memory. Would recommend.

No antidepressants, they make me manic and then send me swinging.

hokiegirl74 · 03-05-2006, 12:41 PM

Hi, I am a Type II Rapid Cycling Bi-Polar, meaning my periods between mania and depression happen with days and weeks. My normal was about a week of mania and a few days of depression. Since my diagnosis, I have tried multiple anti-depressents which always resulted in stronger mania symptoms and virturally no sleep.

I am now on Equetro (300mg) and Lamictal (100mg - working up to 200mg). I tried Seroquel and it was just not the drug for me - I felt like I was walking thru a slow motion world all the time.

Now - I feel more balance - I do miss my mania, but as I was watching it start to control me instead of the other way around, I am scared to miss it too much.

As I am feeling more balanced, but still trying to physically do the things I could do in mania's, I am tired by the time I go to bed! I am also taking mutli-vitamins and larger doses or fish based oils as recommended by my MD - seems to be helping. I feel better than I have in years. I still get up and I still get down, just not so harsh now and not so out of control. Good luck!

zigwyth · 03-07-2006, 08:05 AM

Thanks to Hokie, Klawk, and Buzz. Well, just got back from the Doc. He concluded BiPol ll. Lithium for stability and Serequol(Sp?) for sleep. Have heard some bad things/good things about both. But guess i gotta start somewhere. Am totally exhausted from lack of sleep. Been taking good M.V. and Fish oil now. Started exercising. Wish me luck.
Thanks-Will keep U informed.