Hi everyone.

Hi, I just found out about this page after spending hours online looking for articles to read about my ilness. I'm 24 years old and I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder II around 2 years ago. Been on and off Lithium for about a year and now it's been about 2 weeks since I started again and I hate it. I'm sticking with it because I've read that it takes weeks for me to feel better. It killed my mania and now I just feel completely depressed. I don't know what to do. If any of you read this and have suggestions for me please leave them because they would greatly help!

Hi vk91,

I was also more of an 'up' (manic) person and was medicated for those symptoms and THEN started experiencing more of the other end of the spectrum. Previously my depressions didn't usually last longer than three days BUT I started having depressive episodes lasting weeks AND would binge eat at very odd hours of the night - gaining over 80 lbs in 2 yrs.

I took Depakote rather than Lithium just bc that's what I was prescribed at the psych ward I ended up going to for detoxing off drugs and to get a diagnosis. I was also put on Seroquel. The combination was a life saver for me despite the side effects. I don't think I would have been receptive to the therapeutic interventions if I weren't on those meds OR to getting clean either THAT was over 5 yrs ago and I have been clean that long as well.

I had to get off most of the medications I was originally prescribed after a couple few years bc I kept getting gout attacks and was finally dx'd w/type 2 diabetes. Interesting thing for me has been that once I had over a year off of illicit substances I was finally willing to try Vyvanse for ADHD and almost ALL of my bipolar symptoms went away and I was 'downgraded' or re-diagnosed as BP type 2 instead of 1. No wonder I couldn't stand Meth or Crack when I was self medicating! Crack made me fall asleep and Meth made me feel 'normal' and not wanting to drink, smoke pot and do powder cocaine which was my regular thing - in truth I liked most drugs except extreme uppers.

Welcome to the forum. I hope you find support like I have over the years...

-kby-

Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear you are depressed. Please know that there are many, many medication possibilities. I have never taken lithium so I don't know what that is like. But there are other mood stabilizers and antipsychotics that can help. Maybe you doc will try one or both of those? Just make sure he or she knows you are not up to par or you will continue to suffer. Maybe, as you pointed out, time is an issue. Please keep posting and let us know how you are.

Thank you both so much for your advice.
I was just put on Seroquel this week and so far I dislike it because I just feel like a zombie. A friend was prescribed Topamax awhile back and said that it's really good.

Hi vk91,

I eventually switched to Abilify from Seroquel and it didn't make me as much a zombie. I had been taking bupropion (Wellbutrin) 250 mgs twice a day and that was supposed pull me out of zombie mode BUT after taking it for 2 yrs I think it was, I started like dozing off about an hour so after taking it - weird I know. I've heard good things about Lamictal as a mood stabilizer as far not taking your energy away. I had to be really patient with the process of finding the right med combo.

It's so much easier now because therapy has helped me immensely. What sucks is I finished with Vocational Rehabilitation and was promptly cut off my Medicaid insurance on January 1st. Where I went for therapy and p-doc ONLY took Medicaid clients and I went to 2 appts in January and now owe $255 they say. It's been hard beginning to this year: my roommate moved out in December as well SO I had to use almost ALL my income to cover rent and bills and only got a new roommate the first of this month AND I got on my company's health insurance plan which is $160 a month I think not counting numerous and various co-pays and deductibles.

I didn't have my ADHD med for 10 days and man did I get CRAZY! Like schizo-affective, super overly sensitive and emotionally raw. Vyvanse is $230 a month w/out insurance and regular amphetamine salt core (not time released) is $80 something. So Monday I got the Psychiatrist at my work to write me a script and it was only $10 for the salt base, TG I got health insurance again! It's going to be a while to transition to a new therapist through the insurance...

Find out as much as you can but also try to be patient with the process is the best advice I can offer. When I was new to this a book I read called the "Bipolar Survival Guide: What you and your family need to know" was very helpful in describing the illness, important aspects of how to maintain stability as well as crisis management, medications and support systems. I hope you can find stability sooner than later. I'm sending good vibes your way

-kby-

Double post

Dear VK91:

I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder II 10 years ago and just recently (6 weeks ago) started taking Lithium. Prior to taking Lithium, I went through a string of mood stabilizers and none of them worked. The Lithium totally got rid of any hypomania I was having BUT I am completely depressed too. Dr. started me out at 2 tablets then dropped to 1.5. This past week I dropped it myself down to 1 tablet. The reason I did that was because I was convinced I was going to have to come off the drug entirely but now think that 1 tablet might just work (blood test will rule.) Since dropping down to 1 tablet I lost that cardboard affect that I was having. I could not think clearly and could not talk or make conversation. Just like a piece of wood and very depressed. I see my Dr. today and have to tell him that I changed my dosage (bad girl!). Also, my Dr. did add an antidepressant but that particular one did not work. He will probably change that today when I see him.

Hi VG91~I had the same problem with Lorazepam (generic for Ativan). While it calmed the manic, it kicked up the depression. I had to go off of it. As far as Lithium, I didn't feel anything being on it. I don't think it worked for me.