bipolar

[jst4shanell]

I am just coming out of a mixed manic/deppressive episode for which I was hospitalized.  I am on Lamictal, Geodon, Seroquil, and Colanzapam.  I am still having bad anxiety (does not feel like mania anymore, just anxiety).  I did not have anxiety before this happened.  My family doctor prescribed me Paxil for my extreme depression that put this whole thing into a downward spiral.  I am seeing a great psychiatrist now who is putting me on the right track.  I don't repond well to the Colanzapam unless it's higher doses (2-3 mg).  We have tried Loranzapam and Xanax as well (I think it's' Loranzapam).  My docor told me that some people don't respond to these medications like they should and I could be one of them.  Is there anything else out there that can take this anxiety away????  Your imput would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks

[JustSpecial]

Thanks for your message, I know how hard it is to be a rapid cycler, I feel for you, I have been there... by myself... I fought my way by myself to have a normal life.

I looked up the meds you are on or should I say the one I didn't know Geodon, the rest I have been on. I will copy and paste what I found so you can read for yourself but let me say that for me it was being on too high a dosage of Zyprexa that gave me anxiety. Once I was off that drug, I was just fine. Zyprexa is an anit psycotic...

I no longer use Zyprexa, but use Seroquel when I get ill but as soon as I am better I discontinue. I encourage you to look up your meds and be proactive with your healthcare. There is no proof that staying on that anti psycotic long term is of any benefit to you.

JustSpecial~


FROM RXLIST:
Geodon - The effectiveness of ziprasidone for longer-term use and for prophylactic use in mania has not been systematically evaluated in controlled clinical trials. Therefore, physicians who elect to use ziprasidone for extended periods should periodically re-evaluate the long-term risks and benefits of the drug for the individual patient (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

Bipolar Mania Initial Treatment
Oral ziprasidone should be administered at an initial daily dose of 40 mg BID with food. The dose should then be increased to 60 mg or 80 mg BID on the second day of treatment and subsequently adjusted on the basis of toleration and efficacy within the range 40-80 mg BID. In the flexible-dose clinical trials, the mean daily dose administered was approximately 120 mg (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY).

Maintenance Treatment
There is no body of evidence available from controlled trials to guide a clinician in the longer-term management of a patient who improves during treatment of mania with ziprasidone. While it is generally agreed that pharmacological treatment beyond an acute response in mania is desirable, both for maintenance of the initial response and for prevention of new manic episodes, there are no systematically obtained data to support the use of ziprasidone in such longer-term treatment (i.e., beyond 3 weeks).

Seroquel - Maintenance Treatment: While there is no body of evidence available to answer the question of how long the patient treated with SEROQUEL should be maintained, it is generally recommended that responding patients be continued beyond the acute response, but at the lowest dose needed to maintain remission. Patients should be periodically reassessed to determine the need for maintenance treatment.

Reinitiation of Treatment in Patients Previously Discontinued: Although there are no data to specifically address reinitiation of treatment, it is recommended that when restarting patients who have had an interval of less than one week off SEROQUEL, titration of

SEROQUEL is not required and the maintenance dose may be reinitiated. When restarting therapy of patients who have been off

SEROQUEL for more than one week, the initial titration schedule should be followed.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

It sounds like you are under very good care and another member just gave you a whole list of possible medications for your psychiatrist to try, but for the short term, if higher dose of klonopin works for you, then that is what you might want to take for the short term until some of the anxiety settles down.

[JustSpecial]

You have alot of choices by the way, I took the liberty of looking them up for you.... if you ever have questions about your meds, a good pharmacist is a great person to know! Usually they don't mind answering questions if they are not too busy.

The least invasive the better when it comes to meds in my opinion... and the fewer the better! :)

good luck, i hope this helps, I understand how difficult all this can be.

JustSpecial~

atypical antipsycotics:
Abilify
Geodon
Risperdal
Seroquel
Zyprexa

beta blockers:
Inderal
Tenormin

anti convulsants:
Depakote
Lamictal
Topimax

antihystimines:
Atarax, Vistaril

Benzodiazepines:
Ativan
Dalmane
Klonopin
Halcion
Librium
Restoril
Serax
Tranxene
Valium
Xanax

anti depressants:
Cymbalta
Trazodone
Effexor
Remeron

Tricyclic Antidepressants:
Doxepin
Clomiprimine
Nortriptyline
Amitriptyline
Maprotiline
Desipramine
Nortriptyline
Doxepin
Trimipramine
Imipramine
Protriptyline

SSRIs
Celexa
Lexapro
Luvox
Paxil
Prozac
Zoloft

[JustSpecial]

Hi~

I am bipolar 1 rapid cycler and have been hospitalized, I am sorry you have been sick, I know it is a rough road back.

I would have to ask before adding another drug to stop a symptom you have not ever had before what drug you are currently taking that may be causing that symptom... I had a similar problem coming out of the hospital and the thing you have to be careful with is Loranzapam and Xanax as well as Valaum are neurvous system depressant.... not bad if you you are manic, but can be TERRIBLE if you have been depressed! They can send you spiriling back down into depression, beware!

Sometimes if your dosage is too high on a med it can cause anxiety, even the best psyc just seem to want to add meds instead of take you off or lower a dosage, it seems safer when you are soooo ill and in the hospital, I understand.

I don't mean to sound old school here but Lithium is my hero! once I was put on Lithium my world leveled and all other meds faded away!

Good luck to you, stay safe.

JustSpecial

[Rose1963]

Hi, my name is Sharon Barnette.  I have been diagnosised Bipolar for along time.  I take Abilify 30mg.  This stuff is a miracle drug for settling down your symptoms you are describing.  It really really does level off your mood totally.  I also take 300 to 600mg of Seroquel at night to sleep.  I have taken 50mg Seroquel in the day for anxiety and it was very helpful.  

Also, Ashley is right, a good therapist is excellent to have to talk to about your life and the feeling associated with what you are going through.

[sisterhazel]

hi my name is Ashley I am 24 years old and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age17. I have been on many different medicines.  I am now on seroquel 200mg  and cymbalta 120 mg a day this combination of meds has helped me alot. The cymbalta exceeds the maximum amount but it helps me with my anxiety. I hope that you can get on some meds that help you. Don't give it it will happen and you will get better. Seeing a therapist on a regular basis has also helped me. Good Luck and I will pray for you