Hello

Hi first time I have posted here, although I have been around and using the mood chart.
I've been medicated on seroquel for just over two years. Over that time my voices and big episodes have gone away, and my moods were leveling out so I was starting to feel more normal (but I've still been having highs and lows). Unfortunately I have put on a lot of weight, and I also started to show side effects. Because of this I had my dose lowered and now I'm in a low mood. I'm now looking at the possibility of changing meds and I'm worried about my symptoms coming back bad... And also of the side effects of other meds. I suppose I just want some input from others with bipolar. One of the meds I'm looking at is Abilify.

Hi. I also take Seroquel myself, which helps me sleep at night. I personally take Lamotrigine (Lamictal). For me, it helps balance out my up and down moods. I don't know if it would work for you. You may want to talk to your doctor about it.

Thank you. I think I will talk about keeping the seroqoul but a lower dose with a mood stabilizer. I'm just worried atm.

Make it a point of telling your doctor about what you're saying here. I take Seroquel as well as a mood stabilizer. I hope what I'm saying helps.

Thanks for that. I haven't spoken to my doctor since I had my dose lowered.
After the low I had an awful mixed mood. I've now come stable again but have anxiety the last few days. "Normal" people don't know how lucky they are to be able to get up and have a "normal" day in a "normal" life.

The side effects I was having have gone away too.

wow, that's great. happy to know you feel better by now.

I dont know whats happened but my posts from earlier arnt showing...

Anyway.. been hypomanic and then down since my last post. I cant help but wonder if I can get more stable. But not on these meds with the side effects.

Hello Emily,

My experience with Seroquel was keeping me in what felt like a safe plastic bubble. I was in the hospital from too much of it. Underneath my skin I was not sleeping it drove me to the fridge to sugar at night. I weigh 118 pounds now. I had gone up to 168 pounds. My organs at 103 pounds near shut down. I was sleep deprived for so many many nights. Be very careful while taking that med. or any. I am still sick its a very serious crippling disease. I started at lithium to find they have a first list of all that they give you. Such a science, but they leave out other better options. Lot of very bad care. From overmedicating me to bad hands of workers. I have the ones who have my back now. They really love me and have all the compassion what good is medication without love and care. Cause without that you will be too cold if they don't listen honey and you feel too far away and not connected closely to you because your mind and body are completely disconnected. Bad brain organ is causing it not you. You have more choices and don't just follow everyone, misguided leading. You listen to yourself and your body. It's their lunch, but its your life. Your very life from your head to your feet. You need to realize you will feel loved when you cry out its what I need to feel in your heart to feel that again. My legs I could feel and come back to that person not problem and know it. Took me from 17 until 2 days ago to get back home from my my first very serious road and Emily the greatest of these is love. You deserve to be loved. You did not make yourself sick. And you too know that you need love. Broken unfixed version but a love version of you. Hannah Danielle Blum. I just read it and I suggest it to you. Take care , and my name is Kim , not Oliver.
I like EmilyPlay. I love to play in dance. I am just a fun one. I love little things that mean so much. Painting small rocks. People say I speak poetically. But what they really hear is God within when His Holy Spirit speaks. No glory to me. We are also called to suffer for His name. Thessalonians somewhere. That's the nutshell. God lives God speaks and God is Real. But we rejoice in our sufferings. Its when we are weak we are strong. In distresses trouble from brethren, sleepless nights. Keep going. I travel here beside you. Today we are a day in heaven on earth. Those days don't end. We will in time know who we are together and be there. I'll know Emily and she will know me. We will fully know who we are Just as we are fully known by God right now. First Corinthians chapter 13 the love chapter. It will guide you. It tells you what it really is and what its not. I am not sorry or a sad story, just Broken. Remember Em when you think no medicine. You as in your manic depressive illness like Parkinson's disease. There is not a cure but people are working night and day for you like for their disease. You are going to suffer. But, never leave even if you think of them. I must respect their efforts and fight to the T too be alive. Do it for those who have lost their lives and devasted family and doctors police officers and community and all the people who see Emily who truly do see you. You are so special and irreplaceable to us here who love you.

I get that, the safe plastic bubble feeling. Like its holding me so I dont go too high or too low...
But even in that plastic bubble not all is safe and the outside world (outside my bubble) threatens to pop it and break me out of it.
I've put on a lot of weight on this med, I used to be a skinny but curvey 6/8 now im a blobby 14.
I keep having the feeling that im missing part of myself and I'm missing that happy energetic part of me... But its tough its all a must do if I want to stay well.
The possible side effects of other meds scare the poop out of me...

Trying out new meds is always scary, but you just have to tell yourself that finding the one that allows you to be the version of you that you love the most is so worth it! There are so many choices, just be open and honest with your doc about all concerns as well as side effects you're experiencing currently so you can work together to get the best fit. I've been taking Lamictal for 2 years and it honestly works wonders for keeping me stable and allowing me to be me.

Reading this is giving me courage, I'll try that also.

Hi, Oliver. That must be hard for you. Do still taking pills?