Bi polar disorder/manic depression

[bernie08]

Hello. I have been on Mirtazapine now for over 5 years. I was put on this medication by The Bridge Centre/ Mental Health service. I no longer go there which is not to my liking. I take 45 milligrames on Mirtazapine at night as it's suppsost to helpwith sleep which for me at the moment it very poor. I have poor concerntration, I cant get intersted in anything like watching TV , reading or listening to music.I put this down to the fact that the medication no longer works and I'm feeling very confused and depressed. I was told by a spiritual healer about 2 years ago I may have ADHD, she said adults can suffer from this. I think I have bi polar type 2.I get mania for a day or so then go back to depressed state. My doctor is fed up with me , I can tell that when I go in to surgery, His leg goes up and down. He said I was a worrier and I will get good days and bad days. At the moment I'm feeling very down and don't know what to do anymore. I was on Amytriptyline for over 12 years. It was suited to me nut they took me off it because I was overdosing. not massive but I was doing this to get to sleep at night. I have two jobs because of my illness. From what I have read Mirtazapine is a good anti depressent so why isnt it working naymore for me. My mum is still on Amytripyline as seems well enough on it. I am my wits end. My doctor isnt helping at all .Perhaps I should try alternative treatment besides medicaton. Lee

[heyjude1]

Let us know what happens, Thanks, Jude

[bernie08]

Thanks for all the information on ways besides meds to overcome depression.I have tried voluntary work and found it doesnt really help me at the moment. I would like to ty thearapy and see if that helps me. My GP has told me many times there is no miracle drug to cure me and make me happy all the time. Life is full of ups and downs and at the moment both Gp's I've seen have said I'm having a dip. I was ok up until the new year then noticed the depression had returned. Someone I know said I must have an evening out once a week weather working on not as it helps.I may decide to go and see Musician Nick Harper (son of Roy Harper) next sunday at QMC Central Studio. The clocks go on next weekend so I can walk there in daylight. I do have social anxiety which I can overcome this by doing things. My brother said I have had a sheltered life over the past 20 odd years. He's right there, I just get stage fright and lock myself away. So I will go next week.Last year a friend gave me a ticket to see Nick Harper but I didnt go as I wasnt up to it. So I do have social anxiety as well as OCD.whcih I can try and change. I am going to try thearapy as this will help and not rely on meds, they only mask the symptoms. At the moment I'm not capable of doing any work weather it's paid or unpayed.I need to be more bolder in my outlook on life.UTC

[heyjude1]

Bernie,  just had a thought, if you are Bipolar there is more involved than just depression, I would definitely talk with physc doc before depending on natural herbs to control Bipolar Episodes.  Bipolar is definitely brain chemical related and much harder to control then depression alone.

[heyjude1]

Bernie, Therapy is a great help.  I have been thru therapy many times and it is great way to learn how to cope with day to day living and depression.  Therapist can give you all kinds of skills to help,  I also think it would be a good idea.  I can't say anything bout natural remedies, I think it depends on if you have Cinical/Manic depression or a situational depression, your physc-doc could give you the best advice.  If you decide to go with natural for medicating, perhaps your physc-doc can make a suggestion of which herbs, etc, to take and what to avoid why taking natural herbs.  your phys-doc may know of another doctor that specialized in natural medication for depression.  I guess, just go with whatever helps, but what ever you do....don't give up!

[biglittle]

Hey I have read your posts and I think the point is that you should be getting help for your problem long term and not just relying on medicines to fix it. Seeing a psychologist will definately help, they can help you to be able to manage your problem rather than relying on a medication.
You may not be sleeping because of the medication but you need to be able to retrain your body to sleep properly. Meditation/ relaxation/ prayer before bed is great for relaxing the body and mind and getting ready for bed. You can also write down all of the tings that make you feel happy, all of the things you are good at and all of the things you are grateful for before you lie down.
Each day tell yourself how special and unique you are and that your life is worth a lot.
Each day is a new day and you can make a new start each morning, all you need to do is let go of the thoughts that drag you down and replace them with thoughts or memories/experiences that make you happy.
You are not in the right head space for any serious relationships right now but you do need good people around you to listen to you, take you out and help you financially whilst you are recovering. Maybe your family / local church can help you finacially while you are getting better so that you don't need to worry about a job.
There are a lot of natural treatments for insomnia which you could also try e.g valerian, lemon balm, oats, hops, passionflower etc
I hope that you learn to be happy and to love yourself because it is sad to hear your story because I'm sure there is a lot of help out there for you, you just need to access it

[bernie08]

I have also been on a few anitdepressents over the years. I think depression is alos down to  situation I am in at the moment. I have a lot of time on my hands having now job to go to although I remember taking two weeks of sick with depression in my last job so it's always work that's the problem. My marriage was a disaster from the start. the frist 3 years were not too bad then it went down the pan. She wanted  me to get normal hours job when I was doing permanet 12 to 9pm shifts.Said she was lonely in the evenings. I did it for the her so we could afford decent holidays and going out weekends.I split from my last girlfriend two years ago and have never really got over her. so I think it's situational depression I am suffering from at the moment. I will call in Voluntary services next week to see if there is any other  work I could do. I'm hoping to get new meds but they only mask symptoms of depression and anxiety.Life is hard at the moment. Clocks go forward next week, roll on summer!

[heyjude1]

Geez, I have been on so many meds thru the years I cant remember them all.  That is one thing I like about my physc-doc, he is not afraid to try something differenet with me and I am so glad.

I have just begun disability and I too am faced with time.  I refurnish furniture but I am also looking for volunteer with the elderly,  I don't mean clenaing bed pans, but just to stop by and just spend some time with them to chat...let them know someone cares.  Also volunteered to do pet adoptions twice a month and will probably volunteer to do something for the food bank..it's away of giving back.

[bernie08]

I am now waitng to hear from Bridge centre to see physciatrist, Dr Reece. He may say that I need to start doing some sort of voluntary work or coures. My depression may be because i dont have enough to occupy during the day. I am stuck indoors a lot and dont have an y close friends I can go and see. The ones I do have are married now and all working  so I feel very isolated, Maybe I could go to thearapy groups at Bridge Centre.my brain has been all over the place and I may nedd mood stableizer like you mentoined. I may go on some of the walks the local council run during week days which may help somewhat.Since I have been on Mirtazapine I 've put on over a stone in weight. I will mention this to physc. Venlafaxine may be better for me although I was put on this by Bridge Centre in 2005 and didnt get on with it. I was worse but I may give it another try. My doctor isnt helping me anymore and said that Ive been on a lot of meds over the years. I can onbly remember being on about 4 at the most so he's wrong about that.I will have to be careful with him whem I see him again.UTC

[heyjude1]

I take an antipyscotic...Risperdal.  The drug is given to me for a mood stabilizer.  I do not have hallucinations or delusions.  I have issues with sudden outbreaks of anger..they come on really fast and the Risperdal helps this.  I have experienced rapid cylcling with the introduction of Celexa to my Effexor but it is not all the time.  Antidepressants are know to cause mania in some people w/bipolar.  My depression has to be treated w/anitdepressants.  It is taking alot of trial and error for the correct cocktail but I am doing so much better.  Hang in there...there will be better days ahead for you too.

[bernie08]

Hi again. I kept my appointment with my GP, last week I didnt show as I thought it would be a waste of time but I got through to him at last. He agreed to refere me back to the Birgde Centre to see a physc but he did with some reluctence. He said they wont find a magic pill that will work wonders. I didnt argue with him just stated the facts. I know that meds dont make us high, although I know a guy in his 40's who suffers form bipolar and he said that ALL meds make him high as a kite. I was like that on citlorapam. I was high as a kite and didnt sleep for a week so I went back and told GP. So I do have bipolar but not type one.I have the symtoms of bipolar type two where I get mania for a few ours or maybe longer then go back to depressive phase. It's got worse over the last year. so I need meds changed. GP said I'm not physchotic or schizophrenic so dont need antiphyschoitcs although I was given Stelazine a few years ago as I had acute anxiety and panic attacks. I still get anxiety attacks. I lost my last girlfriend because she couldnt stand my manic outbursts and depression. I will be seeing Bridge Centre in 2 to 3 weeks time, I'll let you know how I get on.  I'm going to try meditation in a bit. No Music or TV just silence for half an hour then go to bed. Managed about 6 hours broken sleep last night. better than none at all. Thanks for the info, hope you are ok on your meds.

[heyjude1]

Yes, don't give up getting the help you need.  You know how you feel and your thoughts and if you know you need help...than you need help.
I am currently on celexa and Effexor XR.  I have had some mania off and on when Celexa was introduced, however, the positive effects are out weighing the negative for me.  You just need to get in to see a physc doctor that will listen to you.  Please let me know how your fare with your appt.  Thanks, Jude  

[bernie08]

Thanks for what you mentioned about the body becoming used to antidepressents. You are so right about that. The last time I saw my GP he said that the mirtazapine does still work, he's just fobbing me off and doesnt want to be bothered with me anymore. I managed to get an appointment today to see him. I think going back to the Bridge Centre to see physc is a start, he's probebly say that wont be any use.I have tried citclorapam  a newish one out, that made me hypa(Shouldnt be given to people with bi polar) . and I couldnt sleep while I was on it so went back to Mirtazapine. If he wont refere me back to Birdge Centre then I will request to be moved to another surgery altogether. I cant go on feeling  down all the time and not wanting to do anything. I dont work at the moment and wouldnt be able to.In have had enough of my GP saying changing meds doesnt work.5 Years on Mirtazapine is too long I feel and should be changed. By the way I'm feeling suicidle so I'm going to tell GP that when I see him later today.

[heyjude1]

Hi.  I am not familar with Mirtazapine but I can tell you that all medications will lose their effectiveness over a period of time.  Your body learns to metabolize the drug out of your system quickly.  Perhaps you need your medications tweaked or perhaps it is time to try some of the other drugs available.

I am Bipolar I, and I can tell you I have a hard time concentrating and my memory is shot.  I have rapid cycling meaning my moods flucuate from feeling wonderful to deep depression very rapidly. There are various categories and degrees of Bipolar.  I would suggest you find a physc doctor.  He can dx you and give you the proper medications.