A question for those who are stable - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

tamara29 · 07-12-2006, 10:06 AM

How could you tell when you were stable? Was it a slow, gradual process or did you just wake up one morning and you were stable? How did others notice the difference? My husband's pdoc said that the Seroquel would take about a week or two to work, and I was just wondering how my husband and I would be able to tell if it is working or not.

Pyewoman · 07-12-2006, 01:25 PM

Seroquel is brilliant but make sure that he doesnt miss any days as there can be moody side effects. I think you will be able to tell after about 2-3 weeks, he should be alot calmer.

Good Luck

gotitbad · 07-12-2006, 06:04 PM

Good question. Seroquel 200mg helped me a lot in just a week (I started at 25mg and worked up to 200mg) after months of struggling. I felt calmer, less anxious, much less suicial thoughts, slept much more soundly, more happy in general, able to think more rationally and logically and basically just back to "normal". I guess you could say like I was years ago before my diagnosis, or like my doctor likes to say, "all the good and none of the bad" in me came out. I'm also taking Lithium 600mg, Lorazepam .5mg, Topamax 150mg, Zoloft 200mg and Adderall (for Adhd) 25mg. The Seroquel was the last medication added and really brought me the most stability.

goody2shuz · 07-12-2006, 07:10 PM

I have been wondering the same. My daughter is on Risperdal...she started on .5mg on 6/24....she was increased to 1mg on 7/5. We haven't seen any real improvement....her thoughts are still illogical and irrational. And she had been crying more often up until yesterday....today she was speaking somewhat illogically.

When we spoke by phone (she is in a long term adolescent psych center to be stabilized) she told me that there were only 49 days until September. (They anticipate her being there for the summer

) And then she rambled off another number of days she calculated.....when I asked what the significance of that was she said that would be when she turned 18 and could get some tatoos and body piercings. When I told her that this would still have to be okayed despite her age while living with us she told me that she would be out living in her own apartment by then so it wouldn't matter.

In my opinion we are not stabilized......what are others who are stabilized thoughts on this??? It has been 3 weeks on the med...although we are still increasing it. I guess I was expecting more of a difference by now.

Would love to hear other opinions on this.

Tamara ~ great post......for those of us looking to get our loved ones stabilized it is frustrating. My feling is that I do not want my daughter on a med if it isn't working.....she says that she is not depressed and is feeling better but with the increased crying I am not too sure about that.

Bottom line.....this stabilization process really sucks!! But I am hoping to see what Gotitbad described....to see my daughter behaving like she was before all this happened....to see her happy, smiling, and feeling good about herself and life. I bet you are hoping to see the same in your husband!! And we will ceelbrate that glorious day....in fact I will declare it my daughter's 2nd Birthday!!!

(((HUGS))) and prayers until our loved ones are stabilized ~ Goody

MillaRose · 07-12-2006, 09:19 PM

Hi

*Please excuse the grammar and run on sentences. I had a Looong day at work (But may be getting a promotion

)

A few thoughts on the posts.

Becoming stable is definetly gradual. I find when I'm totally comfortable in public dealing with people then I know I'm ok. Pretty much when my thoughts allow me to interact well with others.

In regards to being hospitalized until stability...Well to be honest I was in Hospital in my teens and twice in my twenties. I cried alot once i was ok and realized I was locked up like a criminal. And i'm sorry but thats what it feels like. You can't leave! 2 out of 3 times in hospital I wasn't even better when i left, just better enough to focus on answering the doctors questions with what they needed to hear in order to let me out .Making sure the nurses don't see me crying , or pretending I was asleep when they'd shine a flashlight in my face at night, and lastly, taking part in activities offered so the Doctor gets a good report.
I wouldn't do this now though , I'm older now and take help when i need it .

The good thing is, if you can focus well enough to show you're okay, you're probably on your way.I hate Psch Hospitals and I really wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy (if i had one) It's a good lesson though. It teaches you to take care of yourself and never have to go back again.