bipolar questions that need answers?

[jordantadams]

Hi i am 24 and have bipolar type 1 syndrome. I was trying to figure out if i could use adderall during my manic episodes. I am currently taking valium for the increased anxiety and depkote for mood stabilzation. I was also concerned about the fact that i seem to be going back into a drepression state. So i was wondering if i should go back to taking antideppressants. So if you could give me some insite i would really apperciate it. This crap has caused me alot trouble over the past 5 or 6 years so plz help me out thankyou alot ahead of time Jordan

[Athena_M]

Where are you located?  If you are in the United States you should be able to get some assistance with paying for your medication.  

[jordantadams]

I use to take seroquel but it way to expensive and i dont have the money to spend on it. But thanks to all of your comments i really apperciate yall taking the time to give your input. I hate this crap honestly i find myself self medicating to keep me from cycling and it ends up getting me into trouble with the law which is bs if you ask me. The problem comes in when you cant get a doc to help you and you dont have the money to go to a psych to get the stuff you need. Im just really tired of popping pills and never really feeling any better than before cause no matter what i am taking i always seem to fall down which is really upsetting. But once again thanks to all of you!

[Athena_M]

I also have bipolar 1 and the medicine I take is Seroquel it stops me going manic, but sometimes I have to take Wellbutrin for depression and I usually only take it for a short while.  I know when I was on Depakote sometimes I would slip into depression too.  What does your pdoc say?  

[lindahand]

They are finding more and more that antidepressants shouldn't be used in bipolar or used only on rare occasions for short periods of times in emergency situations. Many pdocs should know this but don't. If you are taking a mood stabilizer there isn't as much risk but they are finding that for bipolar it can increase the frequency of episodes over time. With I could give you a source on this one but I forget where I gathered this nugget from.

I have ADHD and have chosen not to use medications although I am intensely curious about what they would do to my brain.

My advice - ask your pdoc. If you get flustered when you go in and forget what you need to say write a list before hand. I have done this for years and it helps tremendously.

[jman81]

well im not sure how the different medications work  but it could be the medecine causing you to go back into depression so id talk to my doctor about that. ask your doctor what you should do. im really not to medecine wise. im just good with certain symptoms of certain things. but best of luck to you. god bless.

[wineandroses]

Hi, I have also been dx as Bipolar I.  I have not taken Adderall, however I know many people have had good results.  Have you discussed with your doctor?
I must take a antidepressant daily or I will rapid cycle and fall into a deep depression.  I have read there is no proof that a/d have an effect on Bipolar, but I can tell you speaking about myself...I must have A/D.  If A/D do not cause you to go into mania, I say no harm....after all, depression is part of the illness.  

[adel_ezz]

Some say Adderall made their bipolar infinitely worse and unmanageable and advise stopping it. however some found it helping them especially along with ADD. NO 2 persons with bipolar are exactly the same, and they won't react exactly the same to any medication.

there is a link though to a similar question in a previous medhelp posts, e.g

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Mental-Health---International/Adderall-side-effects-OR-Mental-disorder/show/268738