Anyone else been stuck in bipolar mixed state (mixed moods) for long periods of !
Question: I've been stuck in a mixed state (manic and depressed, i.e. agitated depression, dysphoric mania) for years, and can't take it anymore. I am trying to find space inpatient at a university hospital, because the psychiatrists in my rural area have no idea what else to try. I'm wondering, anyone else gone on like this? *What has worked for you?*
Details: I take lamictal and lithium, low doses that help a little MAYBE, and can't tolerate more. I have severe side effects from most meds, like so constipated that I can't go for more than 10 days and have to stop the med, or go psychotic from the internal agitation increasing a lot, almost fall on the floor because I am so sedated, get aggressive, etc. I am probably a 'poor metabolizer' which is a genetic inability to process many meds (and most psychiatric meds fall in this category. 10% of white people have this trouble). I have had a lot of counseling. There is no question about my diagnosis. It used to be classic bipolar.
Thanks!!
Answers: I've been stuck in a mixed state (manic and depressed, i.e. agitated depression, dysphoric mania) for years, and can't take it anymore. I am trying to find space inpatient at a university hospital, because the psychiatrists in my rural area have no idea what else to try. I'm wondering, anyone else gone on like this? *What has worked for you?*
Details: I take lamictal and lithium, low doses that help a little MAYBE, and can't tolerate more. I have severe side effects from most meds, like so constipated that I can't go for more than 10 days and have to stop the med, or go psychotic from the internal agitation increasing a lot, almost fall on the floor because I am so sedated, get aggressive, etc. I am probably a 'poor metabolizer' which is a genetic inability to process many meds (and most psychiatric meds fall in this category. 10% of white people have this trouble). I have had a lot of counseling. There is no question about my diagnosis. It used to be classic bipolar.
Thanks!!
Well, anyone who says all you have to do is think differently obviously hasn't existed in a mixed state for very long. When I first heard the term "mixed state" and the accompanying definition I was elated because everything I had been trying to tell the doctors was right there and I wasn't so crazy after all. Or at least not so alone, eh?
I also cannot take large doses of anything and I suppose must have this genetic predisposition. When I was on 60mg of navane I thought I'd go mad from the side effects, no matter the mental illness. Now I take topamax, wellbutrin and 100 to 300 mg of seroquel. It's a great combination for me. The one thing I really like about the seroquel is that I can really play around with the dosage and my doctor knows I do it, but it's one of those I can take 100mg. of for a while, then more if I'm having trouble, then more, then less, and I don't need to call him because I know what I need. Topamax can rightly be called "stupimax" because it makes me stupid sometimes, but stupid vs. mixed state, I'll go for stupid. The wellbutrin is the one antidepressant that doesn't send me through the roof. Prozac -- wow! I was a raving lunatic on that stuff. But wellbutrin has been good to me. Seroquel makes some people fat, but topamax has the opposite effect so that's good, too. I have plenty of energy. Some people take as little as 25mg of the seroquel. My husband who is also bipolar takes seroquel and it saved his life as far as I'm concerned, but it has made him gain a lot of weight.
So good luck. I know how hard it is when they give you a small dose and you're knocked out. But I had 25 hospitalizations and none since this drug regimen, six years now.
Well I am not a dr and I feel for you..My X husband is Manic depressive and he has mood swings as well as in one day he can get to be depressed and agitated. I dont know what to do for him I just try to deal with it....he doesnt sleep much unless he takes seraquel........have you tried to get into some holistic approach to this? maybe take some kind of martial arts to help channel the aggresiveness? I know these meds cause side effectrs and usually people with manic dont want to take the meds because it drags them down. I know lithium can be dangerous if the levels get too high.
anyways I am sorry I am not much help but I do feel for you!
There is no recovery for all who don't change their social disorder into a safe socially structure. The depression chemicals were started by your own brain and will have to be cured by thinking.
You might want to try increasing your intake (or start to take) Omega 3 Fatty Acids - particularly flaxseed. See how you feel after a few weeks, then maybe even wean yourself off the pharmaceuticals.
http://www.newstarget.com/017048.html
http://www.newstarget.com/021978.html
Okay, I see some red flags.
Your doses of lamictal and lithium are too low and not at a therapeutic level. How can they possibly keep you stable?
Antipsychotics are often added on board with mixed states and agitated depression. They stabilize, calm the mania, deal with psychosis, and lift the depression simultaneously.
You should not be stuck in this state for such a long time. This is unacceptable.
Discuss this with your psychiatrist. Perhaps, different medications will react better with your physiology. There are meds too that people take to counteract stomach upsets and feeling too sedated.
You have to address all of the symptoms. If your doctor does not do anything with your medication regimen, than I would seek a new doctor.
You can feel 100x better and live a stable life. Hang in there. And go through the trials of different medications - without giving up.
If you have not tried these already