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Old 02-25-2009, 07:07 PM   #1
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court91 HB User
Best medicine for bipolar?

Hi all, im taking lamictal and risperdone and im still having mania and depression. Im just sick of all of this and i want it to be over with so i can live a "normal" life. Ive been reading some threads about lamictal and many people are saying that it doesnt really help them either. Im schizophrenic, bipolar and i have add. phew, so in everyones opinion what is the best medicine for these disorders?

Thank you!

 
Old 02-25-2009, 07:27 PM   #2
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Re: Best medicine for bipolar?

The best drugs are the ones that will work for you, everybody with mental illness is so different. It can take many months for medication to work, the brain needs to adapt. It took me over a year on Efexor before I really felt in control. It is all about trial and error.

 
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Old 02-26-2009, 08:28 AM   #3
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Re: Best medicine for bipolar?

Hi iam a wife/ caregiver to my husband who has bi polar/ scophophina/ broderline personality disorder. has you ever tried Gedon that works great on moods and if you seeing things that noth supposed to be thire and if you hearing things that is not suppose to be thire.
Angelia

Last edited by moderator2; 02-26-2009 at 02:15 PM. Reason: please do not post your email address in the public forums - instead, use the private messaging system

 
Old 02-26-2009, 11:18 AM   #4
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Re: Best medicine for bipolar?

I have taken Zyprexa for two years and it works for me to stop mania and helps me sleep.... I wont change to another medicine...

hugs, Caren

Zyprexa

 
Old 02-27-2009, 01:48 PM   #5
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Re: Best medicine for bipolar?

I echo noam's response.

Two meds designed to treat psychosis are Risperdal and Geodon. I used to take Risperdal for the past 2 years, but after experiencing no relief for my auditory hallucinations, started taking Geodon. Now I no longer hear voices except for when I'm manic, depressed or off of my meds.

Having said that, your experience may differ.
__________________
Atypical Bipolar I Disorder with Rapid Cycling
Meds:
Depakote 1500mg
Prozac 40mg
Risperdal 1mg titrating to 6mg/day
Klonopin .5mg (2x/day)
Trazodone 100mg or 200mg PRN

 
Old 02-28-2009, 03:56 PM   #6
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Re: Best medicine for bipolar?

thanks guys! i really appreciate it, ill talk to my doctor about it.

 
Old 02-28-2009, 04:06 PM   #7
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Re: Best medicine for bipolar?

I take Paxil and Risperdal and that combo works wonders for me. I start to get angry/moody if I try and cut back the risperdal so I am resigned to the fact that I will probaby be on it for life. It has made a huge difference in my life. I no longer get paranoid/silly thoughts and the moodiness is gone. You may have to try a few different meds till you find the one that works for you unless you get lucky and find something that is suitable right off the bat. It was a bit of trial and error for me. I started out with Effexor and that didn't work for me.

 
Old 02-28-2009, 04:39 PM   #8
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last flowers HB User
Re: Best medicine for bipolar?

i have taken all sorts of meds and still felt unwell. i am now on wellbutrin xl, lamictal, abilify, klonopin (sometimes dalmane for sleep) I feel great. 2 weeks on feeling sooo good and happy to be productive and feel 'normal'. i feel , light, if you know what i mean.
good luck

 
Old 03-01-2009, 10:22 AM   #9
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Re: Best medicine for bipolar?

Quote:
Originally Posted by court91 View Post
thanks guys! i really appreciate it, ill talk to my doctor about it.
iam a wife/caregiver to my husband who has bi polar/ schophina/ broderline personality disorder he is taking the theese meds: depakote ER, Wellbutrin XL Geodon .And like i said befor the Geodon helps him really well on hearing stuff that is not there and seeing things that is not there. And the other meds that he is taking suppoose to stable him but does sometime but not all the tme . And the dr does not listen to us caregivers.
Angelia

Last edited by calibear; 03-01-2009 at 10:23 AM. Reason: mis spelled a word

 
Old 03-01-2009, 11:53 PM   #10
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Re: Best medicine for bipolar?

I take 5 different meds for my bipolar: Depakote, Fluoxetine, Geodon, Trazodone and Clonazepam. Ever since the Clonazepam was added, I'm doing much, much better...and that's after a little over a year and a half of being unstable. It's important to remember that everyone reacts to meds differently. What works well for one person may not work well for another. It may take some time to find the right med combo, but hang in there. Once you do, the wait will definitely be worth it.
__________________
Atypical Bipolar I Disorder with Rapid Cycling
Meds:
Depakote 1500mg
Prozac 40mg
Risperdal 1mg titrating to 6mg/day
Klonopin .5mg (2x/day)
Trazodone 100mg or 200mg PRN

 
Old 03-02-2009, 01:53 AM   #11
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Re: Best medicine for bipolar?

Hi, I take Lamictal, Cymbalta, Abilify, Buspar, Topamax, Clonazapem and prn Seroquel as needed. So like everyone else has said, different meds work for different peoples. It just depends on how willing you are to try different meds that you and your pdoc suggest and see what works.

kat

 
Old 03-02-2009, 02:05 AM   #12
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Re: Best medicine for bipolar?

I forgot to mention Topamax. Although I take it for migraines, it also works as a mood stabilizer.
__________________
Atypical Bipolar I Disorder with Rapid Cycling
Meds:
Depakote 1500mg
Prozac 40mg
Risperdal 1mg titrating to 6mg/day
Klonopin .5mg (2x/day)
Trazodone 100mg or 200mg PRN

 
Old 03-02-2009, 02:10 AM   #13
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katlin09 katlin09
Re: Best medicine for bipolar?

Dreams,

You haven't slept yet tonight either have you?

k

 
Old 03-02-2009, 02:26 AM   #14
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Re: Best medicine for bipolar?

Kat,

Nope. I think it's because I slept earlier. I tried going to bed at 10pm, but couldn't fall asleep. I took a second Clonazepam as well as my 300mg PRN dosage of Trazodone, but neither of them helped. I hate it when this happens because I start to rapid cycle and after several days of this, end up manic.
__________________
Atypical Bipolar I Disorder with Rapid Cycling
Meds:
Depakote 1500mg
Prozac 40mg
Risperdal 1mg titrating to 6mg/day
Klonopin .5mg (2x/day)
Trazodone 100mg or 200mg PRN

 
Old 03-02-2009, 02:37 AM   #15
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Re: Best medicine for bipolar?

Dreams,

I didn't even nap today and I'm still up all night, welcome to depression 101. I'm going to pop a seroquel as soon as I find out whether my son's school is closed or just delayed opening because of the snow. Otherwise I am gonna be one cranky bi*** today.

k

 
Old 03-02-2009, 02:44 AM   #16
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Re: Best medicine for bipolar?

Kat,

I know what you mean. My sister is coming over today to help me with some things I need to do, but I'm hoping to get to bed around 6am so that I can sleep for at least an hour before she arrives.
__________________
Atypical Bipolar I Disorder with Rapid Cycling
Meds:
Depakote 1500mg
Prozac 40mg
Risperdal 1mg titrating to 6mg/day
Klonopin .5mg (2x/day)
Trazodone 100mg or 200mg PRN

 
Old 03-02-2009, 02:52 AM   #17
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katlin09 katlin09
Re: Best medicine for bipolar?

Dreams,

Okay heard from the school, closed today. I just took some seroquel and am gonna try to catch some zzzzz's. I'll catch ya later.

Get some sleep.

kat

 
Old 03-02-2009, 02:57 AM   #18
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Re: Best medicine for bipolar?

Kat,

I'm going to head to bed around 6am. First I'm going to get something to eat. Talk to you later.
__________________
Atypical Bipolar I Disorder with Rapid Cycling
Meds:
Depakote 1500mg
Prozac 40mg
Risperdal 1mg titrating to 6mg/day
Klonopin .5mg (2x/day)
Trazodone 100mg or 200mg PRN

 
Old 03-03-2009, 09:02 AM   #19
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cheerus HB User
Arrow Re: Best medicine for bipolar?

Quote:
Originally Posted by dreams in neon View Post
I take 5 different meds for my bipolar: Depakote, Fluoxetine, Geodon, Trazodone and Clonazepam. Ever since the Clonazepam was added, I'm doing much, much better...and that's after a little over a year and a half of being unstable. It's important to remember that everyone reacts to meds differently. What works well for one person may not work well for another. It may take some time to find the right med combo, but hang in there. Once you do, the wait will definitely be worth it.
Dreams in Neon, I'm glad you found the meds that work for you. I Agree with your post everyones different and what works for one person may not work for another. My father is on Depakote & it works wonders for him. I Am on Lithium along with prozac have been for over 7 years now & it works for me.I Take clonazepam as needed. But Lithium & prozac daily.and your right the wait is definitely worth it once you find the right medicine that works for you. My doctor actually suffered from bi-polar and so he could really relate & I Was lucky because the first medicine he put me on was Lithium and it worked for me along with prozac. At first I Didn't want to be on medicine & my doctor explained to me its no different then if someone would have a heart disease they'd take a medicine to help the heart and with a mood disorder you must take a medicine to help the brain. Hes so right so to anyone out there that has a mood disorder it can be treated and you can live a normal life. You need a good doctor and the right medicine for you. Goodluck dreams with your meds hope they continue to work for you. Bren

 
Old 03-03-2009, 09:47 PM   #20
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Re: Best medicine for bipolar?

Thanks, Bren! I'm glad your doctor was able to help you given the fact that he also has bipolar. I'm hoping I can do the same when I receive my Ph.D. and eventually start my own practice working with clients who have bipolar, schizophrenia and PTSD. I'm so happy that Lithium and Prozac are working well for you! I used to take them in combination back in the early to mid 90s. I don't remember how effective they were for me only because it was such a long time ago and ever since taking meds for bipolar 3 years ago, my memory isn't as sharp as it used to be. Smile.
__________________
Atypical Bipolar I Disorder with Rapid Cycling
Meds:
Depakote 1500mg
Prozac 40mg
Risperdal 1mg titrating to 6mg/day
Klonopin .5mg (2x/day)
Trazodone 100mg or 200mg PRN

 
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