awaiting help

7/27/12 7:35am

I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL ANYTHING... just a fellow mentally ill person....

i can say to you that you will likely undergo many medication changes before you hit the "right combo" or what is commonly termed "right cocktail"

there are many many many many different meds for many many many many different symptoms you inform your prescribing provider of... the meds are for the symptoms, not the disorder...

it is a medically treated illness, like any other medically treated illness

the disorder is there... and it manifests the symptoms. some of the symptoms are not so troubling, while other symptoms are...

which are which? that is up to you and your prescribing provider... and in respect, he/she (provider) will have many many many many different meds to prescribe to you in the effort to reduce and alleviate those symptoms you both find so troubling

each med also has it's own set of side effects and/or adverse effects and many of these are psychiatric in nature, as well as physical. so, you will likely undergo med changes based on that OR have meds added to offset known side effects.

should you have any questions or concerns about your meds and/or your method of treatment... you need to discuss these with your prescribing provider...

ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable with what you've been prescribed and why... report any new or troubling symptoms once you've started any new meds - as well as, any new or troubling symptoms after you've been on any for a while... and both expect and insist that person or persons to answer your questions and address your concerns

inform your prescribing provider of any over the counter meds/vitamins/supplements, etc.. that you take.. as well as any allergies and/or allergic reactions to any other meds or items

(side note: inform your pharmacist/pharmacy of any known allergies to meds or other substances as well... )

inform your prescriber of any other prescribed meds you are taking and

also inform your provider of any other known medical issues that you may have, have had, and/or are being treated for

as always... if an emergency medical need arises, seek emergency medical assistance..

cathryne

7/27/12 8:21am

Pretty much. Seems to be the order of things. Mine has been changed once and 2 add ons, then one add on became a PRN. Now I'm in therapy to help with some of my processing around depression (is this situatiional depression, or just bi-polar depression[situational deprssiion I need to fix, bi-polar depression I can let slide]) so I consider that an add-on. It's a life long process. Just keep the faith.

HeyJude

7/31/12 6:20pm

It would boggle our minds if we actually sat down and tried to figure out how many different combinations of meds and doses and tweaks available to us. Trial and error is the name of the game, there are no easy answers.

I was lucky with my meds early on. Lithium, once the only drug for bipolar, worked amazingly well and I took it exclusively for several years. These days I still take lithium, but with an assortment of newer drugs that complement.

So, yes, we are blessed to have a good assortment of meds available. The more new meds that come down the pipe, the better our odds are that we will find success with our meds.

Some bipolars find a good mix of meds quickly, others do not. It can be frustrating waiting for the right combination of drugs to work, but the rewards are many. Hang in there.......Judy

kitylove

8/10/12 11:05pm

can you share what kinds of mes. complement lithium ?

kitylove

8/10/12 11:06pm

i meant meds.

HeyJude

8/11/12 1:35pm

Hi....thanks for your response. Truth is, there don't seem to be any easy answers. Every person's chemistry is so unique that there's no simple med combination that works without at least some trial and error. And then a new med comes along, and it seems worth trying. And there's always the challenge of fine-tuning doses.

Lithium can work well with many other meds. But we have to keep in mind that "no size fits all"; and some meds simply do not work for some individuals. Our pdocs have a hard row to hoe. But when they get it right, the rewards come, for YOU and for your doctor.

Anti-phychotics, such as Seroquel, Abilify and others, are being used often as an add-on to mood stabilizers. I take a minimum dose antiphychotic and it helps with my problematic manic phase.

Some bipolars take a combination of mood stabilizers. I am taking Lamictal with my lithium, but have taken others as well in combination. The lamictal/lithium seems to be working well for me.

There are SO SO many different faces of bipolar. I have a dozen or more bipolar acquaintances and no 2 are on the same bipolar med combos.

It can get pretty frustrating, but it's worth the hard work once you find the mex that works. All the best to you.....Judy

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