Should I go back on Meds? - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

Avothello · 11-29-2008, 11:48 PM

Hello I'm new to the board and I was diagnosed with Type II Bipolar Disorder in college. My family has always thought I've had it though because of my mood problems and the fact that it's very prevelent in my family. Basically the problem I had is that I was put on Lexapro, lithium, then seraquel and then tried Geodon and I've hated all of them for taking away my creativity and turning me into a zombie. I've been off them for a full year now and sometimes I feel like I'm able to control it and my mood swings are very mild and other times I have very extreme ones. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on any medications that would allow me to keep my creativity and abilities that come with my hypomania but also keep me from the deep depressions?

Bunnylover · 12-01-2008, 03:28 PM

Depression is my biggest issue by far, and Lamictal has been a life saver. It doesn't give me that numb feeling I've had problems with on other medications, and I can continue working and writing (trying to finish dissertation.) I do take seroquel, but I am extremely sensative to the dose--even 25 mg. to much and I'm a complete zombie, so the combinations and dosages might be part of your problem.

katlin09 · 12-01-2008, 05:18 PM

I also take Lamictal because I have BiPolar with Suicidal Depression, and it has helped me pretty well, along with it I take Cymbalta and Zoloft, but hopeflly will be tapering off the zoloft soon, because I don't care for it. I know it's frustrating, but you have to hang in there until your pdoc gets your meds straight, it can take a while but once you find the cocktail that works it's worth it. In the last 11 months Im on my 6th or 7th med. combo. cocktail. But I will not let this disorder win, I will gain control over it, not vice versa.

Kat

dreams in neon · 12-02-2008, 07:18 AM

I've also been on Lamictal since last Wednesday while being inpatient.

My bipolar I tends to fall on the manic side during the spring and summer months, but during the autumn and winter months, I rapid cycle on an hourly basis between mania and depression.

The pdoc prescribed 100mg of Lamictal and it has worked great in controlling my depression.

Since I was severely depressed, the pdoc immediately started me on a 100mg dose, but I didn't suffer any negative consequences from that as a result. It took a week before I was able to feel the full effects of Lamictal.

Not all meds work well for everyone. What works well for one person may not work well for another which is why it's so important to try a variety of med combos to see which one will work best.

If it takes you awhile before you find the right combo, hang in there and don't give up! With a little patience, the wait will definitely be worth it.

Ratchef · 01-03-2009, 01:48 AM

Hi, i'm also new here, been reading for an hour or so and thought I'd respond to this one.

I've been on 200 mg of lamictal for about three months now, and just started taking 40 mg geodon. But it doesn't start there.

Always have been a creative person, went through school effortlessly, quick and agile is how I like to describe my mind. Anyway....things got really bad around 18.

Was diagnosed with BP at 18 and actually started manifesting signs as far back as 7 years old. In any case, ended up hospitalized and was put on seroquel and depakote..... stopped taking the seroquel about two days later and the depakote about two months later, because they deadened my mind...I couldn't stand it.

I spent the next couple of years going on and off depakote until I convinced a my doc (pdoc i think the term is) that I didn't need the drugs and that I was coping fine without them....basically BP wasn't screwing with my life. (total unwitting fabrication on my part, had convinced myself that I didn't need anything)

So for about the last ten years I wasn't on anything until recently when I had a serious episode. (looking back....wish I had a lot of that time back)

Lamictal is wonderful so far.

No mind numbing side effects, if anything keeps me somewhat elevated, this in conjunction with the geodon, the only combination I have tried and liked (couple weeks on prozac once.....slept about 10 hours total those weeks.)

Still adjusting meds and getting them right, but I have to say, Lamictal is about 100% easier to take than depakote ever was. I can function and do what I love with no discernible change from pre-med....(the art of cooking

)