why use meds

[coleen265]

does anyone know why we can go into a manic state or depressive state even though we're on meds to prevent these episodes ?what do these meds do? just control the symtoms . i have mild manic episodes and moderate depressive states. i'm ok with the manic but the depressive side is a real kicker.

[kathy434]

Bear in mind that you must always work with your doctor when starting or stopping medication.  It is important to never stop cold turkey, unless your doctor instructs you to do this.  Wean off one medication at a time, and then wait for a couple weeks for it to leave your system and see if this has helped or harmed your changes of mood, or side effects etc.  Only then would you wean off another medicine in the same manner.  But you would do this only with your doctor's permission.
Your side effects could have been caused by a number of things, medication combinations, the medicine itself, the dosage, and any foods that could affect the medicine.  It is important to discuss your meds and the side effects with your doctor and let him recommend the changes.  People get too rambungious to start or stop medicines because they feel uncomfortable with their mood or their opinion as to what is "normal".  Often times one just needs to stay on the meds and weather through the first week or so of possible discomfort until the body catches up to the medication.  But if your discomfort does not improve in reasonable time, call your doctor for advice.  You can also get information from your pharmasist.     K

[coleen265]

thank you for your input. and your very kind words
my problem is side effects. after 1 year of different combos i finally found  seroquel and abilify with ativan and lexapro worked well for me.

then the side effects hit. abilify and eye twitching. they did a b12 level on me cause research shows low b12 can also cause eye twitching. seroquel caused  my bood sugars to go high but i have a strong family history of type 2 diabetes.

any way. i was switched to a new drug saphris which i can find little info on and trazodone for sleep. had a bad reaction to trazodone

but i think i've learned something here with these "crazy meds.i think

i was put on vicodin and something like naproxen for a hurt shoulder and neck. right when i was switching meds.

i have decieded you can;t just go off what you were on . even if when your'e replacing is a simlar drug. and you have to be careful when adding other drugs.

i suddenly fell into a another deep depression with all this take away and add on meds. i vomited for 3 days, could'nt stand without getting dizzy and nausea. i was awful. plus i could'nt take any meds cause i could'nt keep them down.

i felt better yeaterday and started back on the abilify but will take it every other day since it's half life is 72 hours and went back on the seroquel with the ativan when needed and lexapro as directed.''i feel 50% better today.

i would try the new saphris but i figured i felt better then i had in years with the abilify and seroquel so i'll stay with that.

i forgot i was also put on lunstra.

i'm almost back to normal and i'm thankful for that.


i'll sure check out all new meds before i take them. i've learned a lesson here


thank you again

[kathy434]

I am always learning new stuff.  I don't even consider myself knowledgeable despite I have been bipolar 1 for years, taken meds for it and still have mood swings.  But this is what I have learned thus far.  Bipolar disorder is an imbalance of brain chemistry, but still not fully understood.  More research is being done all the time, which will also lead to better treatments.  Current medications help to stabilize the radical mood swings so that one can function easier in life.  However, the medications are not yet able to totally eliminate swings in mood.  It can be considered "normal" at this point to still have some.  Medications are pretty good at managing mania, but still not as effective at managing the depressive side.  Researchers are still at the drawing boards with this problem.  Right now pdocs use AD in conjunction with mood stabilizers to maintain control over depressions .  So if one is not working for you then you will have to try others until your brain finds one that works best.  Realize that nothing is sure-fire success yet, controlling mania and depression, but we are headed in the right direction.  I am also learning that many people who have suffered from traumas over a long period experience changes in brain structure as well as chemistry that can make one more vulnerable to mood swings. PTSD has a lot of similarities.  All I can say to you is to hang in there, do your best to take your meds as prescribed, get 8 hours of sleep every night, exercise physically as well as mentally and maintain a low-stress lifestyle as much as possible.  Talk therapy is helpful as well, just in case you need a professional.  Very devoted friends can help a lot in this area too.  Another thing I will pass along.  Please don't judge yourself harshly for having bipolar.  It is no different than having other ailments afflicting your mind and body.  It just is, that's all.  It is not a personality or character flaw.  It is physical, medical.  So be your best friend and take care and love yourself no less than if you had no illness.  It is OK.       K