Meds have made me cyclothymic

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kumbaya
May 29, 2010 - 1:51 am
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kumbaya
Total Posts: 718
Joined: 04-20-2010
Since being diagnosed w/BP1 5mos ago I've taken my meds consistently xcept for a little time in April I've noticed that @ least I sleep every night Instead of staying up for a minimum of 2 days then sleeping for 14-24 hours & its not drug related....Just the way I've always been My depressions have usually been short lived 'til '09 when i was depressed for 2mos in a row....that's what made me seek medical attention I lost a ton of weight 30-40lbs & would lay in bed for 3days @ a time....no motivation to eat or do anything at all Anyway since starting my meds i've noticed that i go up & down much faster in just 1day i can xperience both ends of the spectrum for multiple days in a row BUT i don't get nearly AS high OR low as I used to prior to my diagnosis (PRE-meds)



Medications for May 2010
04-20-2010 - Present:Depakote, 750 mg. twice daily
04-20-2010 - Present:Seraquel, 100 to 300. @ nite only

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kumbaya
kumbaya
May 29, 2010 - 1:51 am
Since being diagnosed w/BP1 5mos ago I've taken my meds consistently xcept for a little time in April I've noticed that @ least I sleep every night Instead of staying up for a minimum of 2 days then sleeping for 14-24 hours & its not drug related....Just the way I've always been My depressions have usually been short lived 'til '09 when i was depressed for 2mos in a row....that's what made me seek medical attention I lost a ton of weight 30-40lbs & would lay in bed for 3days @ a time....no motivation to eat or do anything at all Anyway since starting my meds i've noticed that i go up & down much faster in just 1day i can xperience both ends of the spectrum for multiple days in a row BUT i don't get nearly AS high OR low as I used to prior to my diagnosis (PRE-meds)



Medications for May 2010
04-20-2010 - Present:Depakote, 750 mg. twice daily
04-20-2010 - Present:Seraquel, 100 to 300. @ nite only

kumbaya
June 22, 2010 - 5:07 pm
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kumbaya
Total Posts: 718
Joined: 04-20-2010
I guess the cyclothymia was part of the process of getting to a baseline state which I've now enjoyed for the longest time I can remember

I was beginning to hate that Katy Perry song "Up & Down" or whatever its called BUT now I know it was worth going through the process....that's how it worked 4 me - it took 6mos & I just got my meds changed up a little last week

I hope someone can find this experience encouraging....HANG in there!



Medications for June 2010
04-20-2010 - Present: Depakote, 500 mg. x2 @ nite
04-20-2010 - Present: Seraquel, 100 to 300. @ nite only
06-15-2010 - Present: Strattera, 1 starter pack. 1pill daily for 60 days

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kumbaya
kumbaya
June 22, 2010 - 5:07 pm
I guess the cyclothymia was part of the process of getting to a baseline state which I've now enjoyed for the longest time I can remember

I was beginning to hate that Katy Perry song "Up & Down" or whatever its called BUT now I know it was worth going through the process....that's how it worked 4 me - it took 6mos & I just got my meds changed up a little last week

I hope someone can find this experience encouraging....HANG in there!



Medications for June 2010
04-20-2010 - Present: Depakote, 500 mg. x2 @ nite
04-20-2010 - Present: Seraquel, 100 to 300. @ nite only
06-15-2010 - Present: Strattera, 1 starter pack. 1pill daily for 60 days

Gunnrun
September 14, 2010 - 12:56 pm
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Gunnrun
Total Posts: 11
Joined: 08-15-2010
Hi!

I am thinking of the same things these days.. I used to have long and hard depressions, and noe they're usually very short, or mild or both. I still have the ups for real now and then. I only go on lamictal, and I did for 3 years. It does work really well since I can go to school etc. now. But as with you I relalized lately that my mood goes mildly up and down all the time. So strange.


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Gunnrun
Gunnrun
September 14, 2010 - 12:56 pm
Hi!

I am thinking of the same things these days.. I used to have long and hard depressions, and noe they're usually very short, or mild or both. I still have the ups for real now and then. I only go on lamictal, and I did for 3 years. It does work really well since I can go to school etc. now. But as with you I relalized lately that my mood goes mildly up and down all the time. So strange.


Squirlbrain
September 17, 2010 - 7:53 pm
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Squirlbrain
Total Posts: 403
Joined: 07-20-2010
Holy #@$%&* I am glad I read that. I am losing my mind. Super manic again. %#@&(^)*&%#()*()*^)(_&@*^$!)(&#$&*(&*($^*()* I don't need this #@$%&* again. #@$%&* does this suck. I want to go for a long run or pick a fight or kick someones ass or I don't know what I am capable of. I want to go to the bar and do something or someone stupid. I don't like this. But if it will pass and I will get normal or stable at some point then what the $#^$%&@&@!!!!!!!!!!! It must be worth it. Please tell me it is.


http://squirrlbrain.wordpress....
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Squirlbrain
Squirlbrain
September 17, 2010 - 7:53 pm
Holy #@$%&* I am glad I read that. I am losing my mind. Super manic again. %#@&(^)*&%#()*()*^)(_&@*^$!)(&#$&*(&*($^*()* I don't need this #@$%&* again. #@$%&* does this suck. I want to go for a long run or pick a fight or kick someones ass or I don't know what I am capable of. I want to go to the bar and do something or someone stupid. I don't like this. But if it will pass and I will get normal or stable at some point then what the $#^$%&@&@!!!!!!!!!!! It must be worth it. Please tell me it is.


http://squirrlbrain.wordpress....
kumbaya
September 17, 2010 - 9:20 pm
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kumbaya
Total Posts: 718
Joined: 04-20-2010
Hi Squirrelbrain,

Its so worth it! It takes time & PATIENCE unfortunately. That has been the SUCKY part. If things don't happen right away I'm a big doubter. ALSO I forget how BAD my mania had become...I started a million things that I could not finish. I couldn't keep track of anything...Lost my unemployment benefits bc I couldn't mail a simple letter on time! That was all I had to do, besides water the plants, for that entire week.

I was PATHETIC Then I would just give up & not do anything at all Except for laying in bed til I got manic all over again EVEN if it took a month or two.

I'm still not very good at planning BUT I can CHOOSE to do something & actually follow through...a far cry better than how things were. I'm back in college now, I have reasons to be alive, things to look forward to - I'm not just existing anymore.

Don't know how I could miss the pot farm lifestyle BUT sometimes I do. It was beautiful...watching the trees as life was passing me by. Redundant though.
Besides I like the path I'm on now so much better.

If you truly have this BPolar thing PLEASE be patient bc its so worth it to have your life back again. Sleep is still difficult but racing thoughts are know relatively rare. I wouldn't trade how I am now for how I was 9mos ago ~ NO WAY

Hang in there!


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kumbaya
kumbaya
September 17, 2010 - 9:20 pm
Hi Squirrelbrain,

Its so worth it! It takes time & PATIENCE unfortunately. That has been the SUCKY part. If things don't happen right away I'm a big doubter. ALSO I forget how BAD my mania had become...I started a million things that I could not finish. I couldn't keep track of anything...Lost my unemployment benefits bc I couldn't mail a simple letter on time! That was all I had to do, besides water the plants, for that entire week.

I was PATHETIC Then I would just give up & not do anything at all Except for laying in bed til I got manic all over again EVEN if it took a month or two.

I'm still not very good at planning BUT I can CHOOSE to do something & actually follow through...a far cry better than how things were. I'm back in college now, I have reasons to be alive, things to look forward to - I'm not just existing anymore.

Don't know how I could miss the pot farm lifestyle BUT sometimes I do. It was beautiful...watching the trees as life was passing me by. Redundant though.
Besides I like the path I'm on now so much better.

If you truly have this BPolar thing PLEASE be patient bc its so worth it to have your life back again. Sleep is still difficult but racing thoughts are know relatively rare. I wouldn't trade how I am now for how I was 9mos ago ~ NO WAY

Hang in there!


melara
November 17, 2010 - 6:43 pm
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melara
Total Posts: 371
Joined: 05-08-2010
stability is a dream to me



Medications for November 2010
07-28-2010 - Present:clonazepam, 0.25/0.5. am, pm
07-29-2010 - Present:Wellbutrin XL, 300 mg. am
08-19-2010 - Present:lamotrigine, 100 mg. bid
08-30-2010 - Present:Concerta, 54 mg. am
08-30-2010 - Present:Ativan, 1 mg. prn
09-08-2010 - Present:ferrous gluconate, 300 mg. am
09-30-2010 - Present:Pariet, 20 mg. am
10-22-2010 - Present:Abilify, 2 mg. am
10-25-2010 - Present:clonazepam, 0.5. bedtime prn

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melara
melara
November 17, 2010 - 6:43 pm
stability is a dream to me



Medications for November 2010
07-28-2010 - Present:clonazepam, 0.25/0.5. am, pm
07-29-2010 - Present:Wellbutrin XL, 300 mg. am
08-19-2010 - Present:lamotrigine, 100 mg. bid
08-30-2010 - Present:Concerta, 54 mg. am
08-30-2010 - Present:Ativan, 1 mg. prn
09-08-2010 - Present:ferrous gluconate, 300 mg. am
09-30-2010 - Present:Pariet, 20 mg. am
10-22-2010 - Present:Abilify, 2 mg. am
10-25-2010 - Present:clonazepam, 0.5. bedtime prn

hundred4ever
November 26, 2010 - 12:18 pm
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hundred4ever
Total Posts: 15
Joined: 11-23-2010
I was diagnosed BP1 ~2.5 weeks ago, and have started meds. My mood now can sometimes go to a very mild depression, and I start walking slowly. When I was first discharged from the hospital I had no meds, and I found out it took only 2 days for the racing thoughts and elevated mood to come back. I am now scared because I have to wait for a while for an appt. and I don't want those symptoms or depression to come back. The depressions seem to be short-lived and mild, though before medicine they were severe, lasting 4-5 months, and ruining academic semesters. I experience both ends but they are immensely milder. The mania has been hypomania, and true to its nature, I found out hypomania IS enjoyable. :) I retain my judgement and insight, and am very productive!

It has only been 2 weeks, I will have to see. I have slept for 2-3 hours a couple of days in the week, 10 hours one day, and 6.5 other days. All in 1 week, it is weird. The medicine has helped. I also love reconnecting with my normal self, I had lost me through depressions, mania, and psychosis. I am on a Seroquel sample right now, but my regular regime is Depakote and Risperdal. Everything is clearer now, and the lines aren't so blurry. After awhile mania will subside, and medicine can help with acute mania.

So, everyone just keep fighting!



Medications for November 2010
11-19-2010 - 11-22-2010:Seroquel XR, 100 mg. Once Daily-PM

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hundred4ever
hundred4ever
November 26, 2010 - 12:18 pm
I was diagnosed BP1 ~2.5 weeks ago, and have started meds. My mood now can sometimes go to a very mild depression, and I start walking slowly. When I was first discharged from the hospital I had no meds, and I found out it took only 2 days for the racing thoughts and elevated mood to come back. I am now scared because I have to wait for a while for an appt. and I don't want those symptoms or depression to come back. The depressions seem to be short-lived and mild, though before medicine they were severe, lasting 4-5 months, and ruining academic semesters. I experience both ends but they are immensely milder. The mania has been hypomania, and true to its nature, I found out hypomania IS enjoyable. :) I retain my judgement and insight, and am very productive!

It has only been 2 weeks, I will have to see. I have slept for 2-3 hours a couple of days in the week, 10 hours one day, and 6.5 other days. All in 1 week, it is weird. The medicine has helped. I also love reconnecting with my normal self, I had lost me through depressions, mania, and psychosis. I am on a Seroquel sample right now, but my regular regime is Depakote and Risperdal. Everything is clearer now, and the lines aren't so blurry. After awhile mania will subside, and medicine can help with acute mania.

So, everyone just keep fighting!



Medications for November 2010
11-19-2010 - 11-22-2010:Seroquel XR, 100 mg. Once Daily-PM

moonpie1288
December 9, 2010 - 12:56 am
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moonpie1288
Total Posts: 5
Joined: 12-02-2010
I was beginning to think I was the only one on so much medication. The doctor will be adding lithium, amitriptyline (which I have been on before) and topamax, dropping the trezadone and everything else the same. I have been fighting this since 1990. I have had symptoms all my life but back then no one really knew what we were fighting. I feel comforted knowing I'm not the only one who knows what the JOY RIDE is.



Medications for December 2010
03-20-2000 - Present:Neurotin, 1600 mg. 2 twice a day
04-20-2005 - Present:levothyroxine, 0.175. 1 tablet in the morning
08-15-2008 - Present:zanaflex, 4 mg. 1 1/2 tablets 4 times a day
01-02-2009 - Present:Tegratol, 200 mg. 1 three times a day
02-17-2010 - Present:Trazodone, 200 mg. 2 tablets at bedtimes
05-22-2010 - Present:Valium, 5 mg. 1 twice a day

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moonpie1288
moonpie1288
December 9, 2010 - 12:56 am
I was beginning to think I was the only one on so much medication. The doctor will be adding lithium, amitriptyline (which I have been on before) and topamax, dropping the trezadone and everything else the same. I have been fighting this since 1990. I have had symptoms all my life but back then no one really knew what we were fighting. I feel comforted knowing I'm not the only one who knows what the JOY RIDE is.



Medications for December 2010
03-20-2000 - Present:Neurotin, 1600 mg. 2 twice a day
04-20-2005 - Present:levothyroxine, 0.175. 1 tablet in the morning
08-15-2008 - Present:zanaflex, 4 mg. 1 1/2 tablets 4 times a day
01-02-2009 - Present:Tegratol, 200 mg. 1 three times a day
02-17-2010 - Present:Trazodone, 200 mg. 2 tablets at bedtimes
05-22-2010 - Present:Valium, 5 mg. 1 twice a day

hyprvigilant
December 11, 2010 - 8:39 pm
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hyprvigilant
Total Posts: 112
Joined: 11-23-2010
so glad I read this thread! It truly is becoming a 'Joy Ride" Moonpie. My girlfriend says she's just 'riding my waves'. Squirrelbrain your post pretty much summed up my mood just yesterday- Today I'm totally fine; the day before I was all but drooling on the floor. The pdoc just put me on prozac with the depakote and had warned me it would send me into rapid cycling, but i've already been kinda doing that this whole time anway?! it's just more noticeable and frequent now. Thanks everyone. It's days like today that I've already learned to begin appreciated, because God only knows what tomorrow will bring...


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hyprvigilant
hyprvigilant
December 11, 2010 - 8:39 pm
so glad I read this thread! It truly is becoming a 'Joy Ride" Moonpie. My girlfriend says she's just 'riding my waves'. Squirrelbrain your post pretty much summed up my mood just yesterday- Today I'm totally fine; the day before I was all but drooling on the floor. The pdoc just put me on prozac with the depakote and had warned me it would send me into rapid cycling, but i've already been kinda doing that this whole time anway?! it's just more noticeable and frequent now. Thanks everyone. It's days like today that I've already learned to begin appreciated, because God only knows what tomorrow will bring...


kumbaya
December 12, 2010 - 12:26 am
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kumbaya
Total Posts: 718
Joined: 04-20-2010
Hey y'all,

My new pdoc has put me on bupropion....I know it takes some time for these things to start working the way they are supposed to BUT damn I'm IRRITABLE & I keep getting goose bumps all over - especially on my arms. PLUS I've been even more depressed!

I wonder how long I should wait ~ 6 to 8wks I guess. DANG I'm an impatient person. It was prescribed for ADHD since they won't give me the good stuff.

I still haven't lost the weight I've gained from Depakote & Seroquel. At least I haven't gained anymore though. The doc said bupropion would help w/that.

Things always get worse before getting better. However, trying to maintain that attitude is difficult.

-cb-



Medications for December 2010
04-20-2010 - Present:Depakote, 750mg . 1 @ bedtime
04-20-2010 - Present:Seroquel, 100 to 300. @ nite only
11-02-2010 - Present:bupropion SR, 100 mg. twice daily

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kumbaya
kumbaya
December 12, 2010 - 12:26 am
Hey y'all,

My new pdoc has put me on bupropion....I know it takes some time for these things to start working the way they are supposed to BUT damn I'm IRRITABLE & I keep getting goose bumps all over - especially on my arms. PLUS I've been even more depressed!

I wonder how long I should wait ~ 6 to 8wks I guess. DANG I'm an impatient person. It was prescribed for ADHD since they won't give me the good stuff.

I still haven't lost the weight I've gained from Depakote & Seroquel. At least I haven't gained anymore though. The doc said bupropion would help w/that.

Things always get worse before getting better. However, trying to maintain that attitude is difficult.

-cb-



Medications for December 2010
04-20-2010 - Present:Depakote, 750mg . 1 @ bedtime
04-20-2010 - Present:Seroquel, 100 to 300. @ nite only
11-02-2010 - Present:bupropion SR, 100 mg. twice daily

hyprvigilant
December 13, 2010 - 12:34 pm
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hyprvigilant
Total Posts: 112
Joined: 11-23-2010
Oh no! not goose bumps!! Seriously that would drive me insane!! I get that way if I take sudafed or claritin D- blech! Did you tell your pdoc about the irritability? my pdoc really focuses on my irritability with depakote- he says thats a sign that my levels are getting too high. I think that any SSRIs or MAOIs react differently for those with bipolar disorder, so even though they say that it takes 6-8 weeks, our reaction time and type of reactions will be different. I took zoloft and it only took my a matter of one week to rapid cycle. He put me on depakote and now on prozac and after only a week of prozac i'm feeling a 'smidge' better- noticeable by my family too.
I'm extremely impatient as well; hang in there, one day at a time.


Spam? Offensive?
hyprvigilant
hyprvigilant
December 13, 2010 - 12:34 pm
Oh no! not goose bumps!! Seriously that would drive me insane!! I get that way if I take sudafed or claritin D- blech! Did you tell your pdoc about the irritability? my pdoc really focuses on my irritability with depakote- he says thats a sign that my levels are getting too high. I think that any SSRIs or MAOIs react differently for those with bipolar disorder, so even though they say that it takes 6-8 weeks, our reaction time and type of reactions will be different. I took zoloft and it only took my a matter of one week to rapid cycle. He put me on depakote and now on prozac and after only a week of prozac i'm feeling a 'smidge' better- noticeable by my family too.
I'm extremely impatient as well; hang in there, one day at a time.


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