Bi-Polar Treatment?!
Question: My husband is Bi-Polar, and has been off of meds for a year now. He needs to get back on some meds, but he's scared that he'll feel bad on them like he did in the past. I'm wondering if anyone is willing to share their experiences with any treatments? What medications are/did you take? How did you feel on them? Side effects? We're waiting for an appointment to talk to the therapist and Dr., he just wants to hear other peoples stories.
Thank you for any help, advice, and stories. We appreciate it!!
Answers: Each person responds differently to meds so hearing someone else's response is of limited value. What works for one does not work for another. What has side effects for one does not for another. With that caveat, Lamictal has been side effect free for me up to 200mg. I get a lot of cognitive impairment over that amount. That's not so common. I also can't take it alone since it's too much like an antidepressant and makes me wired/mixed. Lithium is great to me. Depakote does something I need, but the side effects are not good (big appetite, hair loss). Seroquel helps sleep, but leaves me groggy. Geodon did nothing to tame severe hypomania. Abilify gave my akathisia. Trileptal made me extremely sick the two days I tried to take it. Zyprexa caused water retention. Etc. Omega3 fish oil at 2 grams/day helps a little with depression. Guess you could say I've tried a few meds. Present cocktail is up to Geodon. I am stable.
A good site for psych med info is http://www.crazymeds.us
PS - I went a lot of years undiagnosed (various reasons) and unmedicated. Bipolar is progressive. It definitely gets worse if untreated. Ppl who are young can say the meds aren't worth the side effects, but when they are older and living with the consequences of that decision, they live with a lot of "I wish I had." I'd be in the looney bin w/o any at this point. Have him work with a doctor who values quality of live as much as illness management. A lot of ppl take meds with minimal or no side effects.