Need some help

[Marebears]

I am on methadone and have been for 2 years! I have been told that i am type two bi-polar/manic depressive. I am now seeing a psy. and i go to groups for relapse prevention and my big moody up and down problem but, its not cutting it so in the morning i go to b put on medication. I have been on VISTARIL,SEROQUEL,TRAZODONE combo but it wasnt working so now i need somethjng else. Any helpful ideas from exper would b really great!!!!!!

[Marebears]

I Have thought about going on suboxone alot!!!! My husband is also on methadone and wants to do the same thing but here in cincinnati its hard to get a Dr to rx to u! They really dont like giving u methadone but i went thru a clinic because i was preg. Pretty strange huh? I spoke to the Dr at the clinic i attend and he said he will only rx it to you if you r using it to detox with. But i am not sure i am ready to do that yet. My biggest fear is that until i get my bi-polar and depression under control i may relapse!!! I know its hard to understand but its almost like a security blanket 4 me. Its kind of hard to understand but i am clean of anything other than methadone 4 a little more than 2 years and stress is a huge trigger for me. I pray every day to never relapse again and if my moods r out of control i can pretty much sign my screw up papers. I have heard alot of good things about subx and can not wait till i look in the mirror, smile, say a prayer and tell myself that i am ready!!!!! Not trying to pry but do u mind me askin how u got on subx, how long u have been on it, and if u know what the wd symptoms r like????? Thanx 4 the helpful advice so far! Any help with this means a lot to me and my family!!!!

[LoosyLucy]

Hi,
I am on suboxone. i will tell you that i've heard that methadone is really hard to get off of, and i think i was on it for a little bit because the pharmacy couldn't read the doctor's handwriting. the methadone was horrible; the suboxone is so much better. and methadone will really enhance any erratic moods you have. if you could switch to suboxone (bupenorphine) i would really suggest it--i know people who've been on both, and they said that the bup. was one million times less addictive and depressive.

[Marebears]

Female, sorry my daughter bumped my arm and forgot to go back and fix it!LOL Should b fixed now and thank you for letting me know really!!!!LOL Those r the 2 meds i have talked to my Dr. about taking! What kind of symptoms do u have as far as your moods? So confused about trying to get this under control! Its very important that i do, because stress is well was a trigger for the drug abuse problem i had and i need to be on my toes. I have worked so hard to stay clean the past2 years; 4 my family and myself that i dont want to fall into that trap again.

[idesofmarch]

I tried Provigil to keep me from sleeping during the day and to stop insomnia but that made me hyper on the lowest dose and made my pain worse. Other than that I've tried many antidepressant out there.  It is tough to find something that works then you have to hope it doesn't stop working.  Good luck

[idesofmarch]

I just started taking Abilify for my depression/anxiety and feel better.  I have had less problems with insomnia and I don't nap now during the day after a night without sleep.  I am on the lowest dose 2mg. and have taken it for 5 weeks so far with the cymbalta 60 mg 2 x a day that i've taken for pain with depression for several years.  By the way, your profile says you're a male but you picture is female, which one is correct.?

[Marebears]

Thanks for the info. I was on it for 7months and i feel like i am getting worse and not better! I heard about a med called ABILIFY (think thats the spelling) that i am thinking about trying. Not trying to pry but do u have a mood disorder problem? And if so r u taking anything 4 it?

[VanessaMcC]

Abilify on its own may not be enough. Try adding lamictial but start at a low dose and taper up to avoid theb are but fatal rash. That's been helping me. I have narcolepsy , epilepsy, bipolar, BPD, and schizophrenia. I'm on 20 mg  of Abilify currently and it saved my life but it reacts different for everyone. Good luck to you!

[VanessaMcC]

I'm also taking provigil and topamax for my narcolepsy and the seizures and Ritalin to keep me awake and functioning through the day so not all hope it lost. Stick with it. You'll find the right mix.

[idesofmarch]

If you have been on this meds cocktail for under 5 weeks, give it another 2 weeks or so.  If it's been over 2 months then you need to speak to your psychiatrist about meds change. It may be upping the dose on something or removal of one for something else.  It is a draw out process to find what combo works the best.  If you are in a low  mood today, you may feel different another day and not want a change. Take your meds as ordered until you talk with your psychiatrist and let him make the decisions.