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honest_tea · 10-25-2006, 12:58 PM

I’m type I bipolar with severe mixed states. Is there anyone who only takes lithium for bipolar I?? The geodon alone is costing me $400 per month. I’ve been on these drugs for a few weeks. I’m responding well, I think. I was fired from my job yesterday and feel I took it well. The old me would not know how to function at this point. I’m doing much better mood wise. I take the following meds:

.5 mg clonazepam
80 mg geodon
450 mg lithium
.5 mg xanax (as needed)

I'm just curious if anyone is only taking lithium and is type I.

Thanks!

Ruth6:11 · 10-25-2006, 02:57 PM

Hello & welcome to the board!
I am a classic Type I Bipolar and have been taking lithium only for over 20 yrs with no episodes of mania or severe depression.
However, I did not have mixed states, just lows & highs with periods of normal mood in between...
I have a feeling that it it is the mixed state situation that may have you on other meds besides lithium...?

tsohl · 10-25-2006, 03:00 PM

My 25-year old son was on lithium only for about two years. It helped some but did not totally provide stablization. He then went through a year of trying all sorts of different combinations...and now is on lithium, lamictal and tegretal and has been good for a year and a half. He is BiPolar 1 and was a rapid cycler...for what it's worth. Tsohl

twoeyez · 10-25-2006, 05:49 PM

honest

You may know that lithium has been around for a very long time. It was first approved by the FDA in the USA in 1970. I know this as a fact,because I was perscribed it at that time. I am also Bipolar 1. Although,I was inconsistant in taking lithium as directed by my pdoc for number of years;I have learned that it is my only medication to give me stability.

As Ruth mentioned, she has been on lithium and stabe for over 20 years, I.too,can say the same years of stability (22).

Perhaps, we all want to find that 1 medication to give us stability. I can only say that time and age will give us the answer we all seek.

Eyes

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