Bi-polar/anxiety/depression sufferers

[Miss Seaneen]

Can I ask how you curb your manic jags? I'm not taking medication- I know I should be but they make me so sick. I'm just worried, they seem to be getting worse. Great to begin with but my sleep just becomes non-existent and I am becoming more of a handful. For the first time in years it's really, really disrupting my life.

I stopped taking meds quite a while ago. First time I was taking Lithium, which turned me into a zombie. Then Tegretol, which trigged hallucinations which I still have.

How can you try to limit the destruction without medication? Or should I go back to my doctor and beg not to be put on Olanzapine again? I am scared of going back to the doctor, he is doing not much at all. A few months ago when I went to see him he said he would organise a psychatritrist to help me but that has never materialised and I'm on my own again.

For the time being I am ok, but it's like the weather, a roll of thunder, the low rumble in the distance and you know it's coming- the last time was terrible, and I am afraid this time is going to be worse.

But I want to stand on my own two feet. What helps you?

Thanks xxx
:hug

[DebbietheHugBug]

I suggest you find a psychiatrist on your own if your doctor isn't helping. Discuss with him your concerns about medications you have been on and how they make you feel.

I don't know what your problems are. I couldn't tell by your post and I'm also a little dense LOL

I'm on Wellbutrin for anxiety and I love it. You really need to find a doctor that has YOUR best interest at heart, not his new boat.

[Miss Seaneen]

I suggest you find a psychiatrist on your own if your doctor isn't helping. Discuss with him your concerns about medications you have been on and how they make you feel.

I don't know what your problems are. I couldn't tell by your post and I'm also a little dense LOL

I'm on Wellbutrin for anxiety and I love it. You really need to find a doctor that has YOUR best interest at heart, not his new boat.

I'm bi-polar, it was hard enough for me to go back to a doctor as I had some bad experiences. I think I will do though. I wish they'd just be more compassionate, actually listen and do something, instead of brush you aside.

[Peterlock]

Hi Seaneen, :wave

Having lived with long term Dysthemic disorder and long term treatment resistant clinical depression for the past thirty years I can certainly emphasize with how you feel.

People who have depressive tendencies, mild anxiety disorders or are experiencing a longer than two week depressive episode usually do well with just about any ant depressant right from the get go.

Unfortunately it's a very different situation for people with chronic, long term disorders like bi polar disorder. The search for the right meds and or cocktail (combination of meds) is more often than not a long and difficult process. But it's getting easier.

First, zyprexa (Olanzapine) isn't the only preferred medication any longer and neither is Lithium. There are a number of new medications, and new uses for older ones that have been proving remarkably effective for the management of Bi Polar disorder. Topamax (a migraine medicine) has shown impressive results, Neurontin (an anti seizure medication used for years to treat epileptics) has had equally promising results.

There's also a new MAOI patch either on the market now or coming soon that provides all the benefits of an MAOI with none of the side effects, food restrictions or dangerous interference with other medications as with traditional MAOI meds like Nardil.

The hassle of having Bio Polar is that you need, in most cases a combination of meds and that combination is as different for each individual as each individual is unique ~ I think the only common thread I've seen is the inclusion of a benzo in the mix, but that's neither here nor there.

What you need to do as in immediately is to get yourself to a Psychiatrist and start getting your meds balanced. Will you have to try a few first, tweak your doses, go through side effects? absolutely.

My response? so what.

People take their chemo because they want to live and survive and it's no different for you or I - and if you think the side effects of our meds are bad? take a stroll through the cancer ward.

Bi Polar disorder is an illness, just as much a progressive disease as Multiple Sclerosis, it can't be cured but it can be managed.

However, and make no mistake if you don't treat it , it gets worse - period.

As for standing on your own two feet, that means taking responsibility for yourself and having an unrelenting passion and determination to live your life to it's fullest. The fact that, that includes taking medication is irrelevant.

People with countless illnesses from diabetes to coronary disease take their medication so they can stand on their own two feet.

So, I would really urge you to see your physician, start helping yourself and the rest will follow - I promise.

Peter ha

[JandLsMom]

Re: Bi-polar/anxiety/depression sufferers

Ask the doc to put you on depakote or depakene. That is what my son takes for his bipolar symptoms and it really helps alot to keep his mood stabilized.

EDIT

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