I'm currently having a hard time controlling my temper and my mood swings. I have bi polar. I have diagnosed and undiagnosed so many times by different doctors, but it is apparent that I definitely have it. The problem I am having now is that everytime I explode my boyfriend gets mad at me, and makes me feel even worse about myself. I don't know what to do at this point to make myself better. I am seeing a therapist, and I'm currently coming off of effexor xr. I go on it every fall because that is my bad season. I want so badly to be able to control my disorder naturally, so I'm looking for any suggestions to follow to control my emotions a bit better. I feel that no matter how much progress I make, it's just never enough. Please help with any suggestions of things that I'm already not doing.
Are you on a mood stabilizer? The SSRI's, and effexor is one, can work against us. Wellbutrin may not set off the symptoms, at least doesn't for me, and Lamictal has been a godsend for me.
Ask your pdoc about a mood stabilizer. I am surprised if he hasn't already put you on one.
That's the best advice I can think of and hope you get relief soon. As far as your boyfriend getting angry at you, well, he doesn't understand and needs some education. Give him something on bp to read, so can understand that it's not you and you can't control it, it's the illness. It may be better to stay away from him when you are in a bad state.
Thank you so much! I have been on mood stabilizers in the past, but I had a pdoc who put me on a slue of meds, which caused worse damage then good. I do know that Depakote works well for me. My problem is because I had such a bad experience with meds in the past, where it almost cost me life twice, I have a bad taste in my mouth for meds. I would like to try and control this naturally, but I'm not sure if that is an option at this point. I have been on Lithium and Depakote. I would definitely not do Lithium ever again, but I"m thinking at this point of going back on Depakote. As to my boyfriend, that is a good idea to give him some education on bp. Thank you so much!
Lithium and depakote are both good BUT you have to be careful not to take too high a dose. I take both now but took too much lithium at one point. Bad news.
You definitely do not want to take an antidepressent if you are bipolar. Like Seaturtle said, you need a mood stabilizer, and there are several options. Talk to your pdoc.
If fall and winter are your bad times, you are not getting enough light. I can never remember the proper name of that. Anyway, you can buy a special light box to use each day that provides the light and can help lift your mood.
Your boyfriend needs to learn to understand what you are going through and how to be supportive! And he needs to understand.
As long as you take one or more mood stabilizers, you can take anti-depressants.
I'm on 3 mood stabilizers (Depakote, Risperdal and Topamax) as well as an anti-depressant (Fluoxetine) and haven't experienced a manic episode due to the anti-depressant yet.
If you would like to try starting an anti-depressant, you may want to talk to your pdoc about this.
I also tend to become severely depressed during the autumn/winter months.
I thought about discontinuing my Fluoxetine now that spring is here, but I've changed my mind since there's no point in fixing what isn't broke. I'm doing well on my meds, so I see no reason to change them.
__________________
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
Last edited by dreams in neon; 03-30-2009 at 10:55 PM.
I just tried topamax - for a week. The mood swings became even more rapid. Plus I was so irritable I was impossible to be around. I was very disappointed because I know it works for so many. My doctor is talking about emsam - the MAOI patch. But every thing I have read indicates too many side effects. So I am not optimistic about that either. Your right I thing. If it isn't broke... I just wish we could find that right combination.
ChloeJ
That's the same for me. The fall is my bad season. I always get very depressed around that time. I have been told that I do have SAD, but I'm not exactly sure if it's that, or just my bipolar. It makes sense though. It gets colder in the fall, there's not as much sun, and it really effects me. Weather always affects me. When it's rainy, I'm depressed. When it's sunny, I'm happy. Strange how much weather can affect us.
My tdoc also told me that normally SAD isn't diagnosed co-morbidly with bipolar. Usually SAD is diagnosed as a single disorder without other disorders being present. Of course, there may be exceptions. I don't care one way or the other whether I have SAD. It doesn't matter anyways since nothing helps the severe depression I have during the autumn/winter months. When the weather is dark, cold or rainy, I'm severely depressed. When it's sunny and warm, I'm very happy. Fluoxetine has helped my depression, but I still get depressed over the weather. Take today for instance. It's cold and rainy again and I'm feeling depressed as a result. Tomorrow it will be sunny, so I'm sure my mood will improve accordingly.
__________________
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
Last edited by dreams in neon; 03-31-2009 at 08:28 AM.
That's how it was for me yesterday and today. Yesterday was cold and rainy, so I was feeling down, but today is sunny and warm, and I feel much better. We'll see what tomorrow's weather brings!
I can't wait until tomorrow. It has been cold and rainy all day today and I'm feeling mildly depressed because of it. I hate this time of year because the weather fluctuates so much. I can't wait until June when temperatures start to stabilize. At least I will have spent my last winter here in Wisconsin. No more snow for me after I move to Arizona in a few months!
__________________
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
I can't wait until tomorrow. It has been cold and rainy all day today and I'm feeling mildly depressed because of it. I hate this time of year because the weather fluctuates so much. I can't wait until June when temperatures start to stabilize. At least I will have spent my last winter here in Wisconsin. No more snow for me after I move to Arizona in a few months!
You won't be there in June will you, if you're moving to AZ??
Dreams,
When are you to moving Arizona? That's cool, although I hear it gets super hot in the summer, but better than the freezing snow. Are you moving byself?
I thought I'd mention Lamictal. I started it a couple of years, and for me, it hsa been a wonder drug, not only as a mood stabilizer, but also as an anti-depressant. For years and years, they put me on the SSRI's, and I only felt worse and got side effects. With Lamictal and some Xanax, my functioning is better than it has ever been (and I am 62, mind you!), my depression so much better I cannot describe it. It also has just about knocked out chronic migraines.
No, I don't work for the manufacturer, lol! And not everyone has had good experience with it. Perhaps you could mention it to your pdoc.
I also have had bad experiences with meds, I cannot take most of them because of a sensitivity to side effects. With the Lamictal, they've been really minimal.
I am also on lamictal - among other things. I agree with seaturtle. It works as a great anti-depressent. Too much can really make me hyper, but with the right dose (and I think we have finally found it), I have more energy and feel like I can function at least a little better. And I'll take anything I can get - as all of you can understand. As for the SAD or whatever it might be officially called, I seriously suggest getting a light box. It really has helped me in the winter months when there is less light and it can be so gloomy. By the way, good luck in Arizona. It can be a neat part of the country!
ChloeJ
I thought I'd mention Lamictal. I started it a couple of years, and for me, it hsa been a wonder drug, not only as a mood stabilizer, but also as an anti-depressant. For years and years, they put me on the SSRI's, and I only felt worse and got side effects. With Lamictal and some Xanax, my functioning is better than it has ever been (and I am 62, mind you!), my depression so much better I cannot describe it. It also has just about knocked out chronic migraines.
No, I don't work for the manufacturer, lol! And not everyone has had good experience with it. Perhaps you could mention it to your pdoc.
I also have had bad experiences with meds, I cannot take most of them because of a sensitivity to side effects. With the Lamictal, they've been really minimal.
Seaturtle
Seaturtle,
Thanks for the info. It's great to hear personal accounts of how meds work with people. I have had no side effects from the Lamictal either, which I love. I too take Xanax. I take it at night so I can sleep. Do you take the generic version of Lamictal or the brand name? I'm now wondering how big the difference is between the two.
My boyfriend and I will be moving to Arizona together. He hates the winters here as much as I do. LOL!
I plan to move in June, July or August depending on how my finances pan out. If I need to delay my move, I might wait until September.
I don't mind hot weather at all. I'm more of a hot weather person than a cold weather person.
I'll gladly take 124 degree heat over 30 below zero temperatures!
Hehe..yea, warm is much better than cold. I agree! Have you started researching docs out there so you'll have that set up when you get there? I bet you might be able to get referrals from the docs you see now. Sometimes they know other docs in other parts of the country. Good luck to you!
Hehe..yea, warm is much better than cold. I agree! Have you started researching docs out there so you'll have that set up when you get there? I bet you might be able to get referrals from the docs you see now. Sometimes they know other docs in other parts of the country. Good luck to you!
Thanks! The only research I've done is in regards to psychiatric hospitals. I know Phoenix and Tucson both have facilities. As for tdocs and pdocs, I plan to ask my own tdoc and pdoc for referrals as to who I can see down there. I really don't want to pick someone off the Internet unless I can find a website where they are rated on a 5 star scale by their patients.
__________________
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
Mood swings 
