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help with sister that is bp

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Bipolar Disorder
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Posted 3/20/2012 12:45 PM (GMT 0)
Both my sister and I have bp, and are on some of the same meds. The problem is that she has rapid cycling and is all over the place.  Angry, crying, hipper, and depressed.  She has been so bad lately that I told her that I wanted her to make an appointment with the doctor, and I will go with her.

She is on Prozac, Geodon, and klonipin, and I need to know what other drugs to suggest to the doctor.  Does anyone have an idea what I can suggest.  I was going to suggest Lamictal to stabilize her mood, but if there is another drup please let me know.  She is driving our entire family crazy, but I really want to help her get somewhat stable.

Posted 3/20/2012 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there! You dont mention whether your sister has bp 1 or bp 2. I think she needs to see her psychiatrist as soon as possible for a re-evaluation and possible adjustment in meds. Thats the best advice I have for you. She is lucky to have you supporting her. I have bp 1 and I am currently on Epilim (mood stabilizer) and Seroquel (anti-psychotic). The combination works well for me. Let me know what the psychiatrist says. Keep well!
Posted 3/20/2012 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, Maggiem, and welcome to the Bipolar Forum,

Please don't suggest to her psychiatrist which medications she should take.

Let her talk to the doctor about how she feels and what she thinks. Then, if she asks you to express your opinion, or if the doctor asks you if you agree or what you think, feel free to express yourself.

Until then, you may be assured that the doctor is listening to your sister with all ears and will determine what level medication she needs and which ones should be changed, dropped, or added.

It's good of you to offer to go with her for support, but let her take the lead in how she wants to express herself. She needs that independence. And you need to be able to give her trust in you by being quiet and listening until she or the physician requests a second view. (There are always two, you know, generally.)

Take care and let us now how the visit goes and if you're satisfied with your sister's improvement. If not, go back by yourself and find out if you need any changes to alter your feeling tone.

Take care.

It's Genetic
Posted 3/21/2012 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
I don't want to suggest meds she should take either. But maybe she can ask her doctor about the prozac she is on? SSRIs can trigger manic episodes/rapid cycling. There might be a better antidepressant for her.
Posted 3/21/2012 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
Well we went to the doctor, and I told the doctor that she rapid cycles and suggeted Lamictal.  The doctor said that Lamictal was more for depression.  So she suggested Lithium or Depakota, and she refused to take it because it caused weight gain.  I know how she feels about her wt, but she really needs it.  So there is nothing more I can do except support her.  Thanks for your help.
Posted 3/21/2012 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
This happens, Maggiern, and I'm sorry you had to go through it. Since she refuses either Depakote or Lithium, your best chances of persuading your sister to get her moods under control is to help her alter her diet.

Tortoise has a post at the beginning of this forum site that will get you started if she's interested and aware enough to know that she's creating havoc in the home. Secondly, my psychiatrist told me that aspirin will help with the inflammation. It should not supersede prescribed medications, however, and she should remain on them unless they are causing severe negative effects. (Bipolar illness is an inflammation of the brain and a chemical imbalance.) I'm not a doctor, so I can't ask that you use it; I can tell you only what my psychiatrist recommended.

I assume that she is remaining on the Prozac and clonazepam (Klonopin).

Several of the major things in the diet that need to be eliminated immediately are alcholol, caffeine (including coffee, tea, chocolate and anything else with caffeine in it), sugar, white flour products, all cheese.

Stay with the fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats (4-5 times per week) and fish if she tolerates those well, according to my bariatrician.

You will note some improvement with changes in the diet, most notably with removal of caffeine, alcohol, diet drinks, (which contain artificial sweeteners and they are really not good for anyone) colas, etc.

If none of these help, as I suspect they will, you may have to have a heart-to-heart talk with her and let her know that the family can't manage her tirades and that she's going to have to accept a different medication prescribed by a specialist.

Good wishes, and keep posting as you wish.

It's Genetic

Post Edited (It's Genetic) : 3/21/2012 9:18:20 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/1/2012 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
Up date: I have been trying to help my sister, but she keeps taking Hydrocodone, Soma and mixing all her meds plus alcohol.  I talk to her one time and she is fine then she calls and she is slurring and said "I only had a sip of wine". She gets so messed up that my dad who she lives with wants to call 911.  She is 55 years old! when is this going to slow down.  I am bp too, and it is a struggle to keep helping her because she sucks the life out of me.  One good thing for me is that I can ignore the phone, but I feel bad not answering the phone because it may be my dad.  I get my dad out as much as I can to give him a break from her.  I will continue to support her, and my dad the best I can.
Posted 4/1/2012 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
wow maggie, what a tough time hey. She's got to stop abusing meds and alcohol. Only she can do that. Maybe a period of hospitalisation will help stabilise her. Once she is stable she may see that it is her responsibility to manage her illness so she does not harm those around her. I find efexor and agomelatine both very good anti-depressants for my bipolar. Yes they only work 20% of the time but they don't add to my troubles the other 80% of the time. For mood stabilisation, I get benefit from seroquel and lithium. Apparently, Tegretol is a good mood stabiliser for mania. my biggest advice is to find ways that your sister's poor decisions don't impact on you. I'm not saying don't try to help her; I am saying make sure you don't drown along with her because she choses to jump in the deep end when she can't swim. Thinking of you. Hugs x
Posted 4/1/2012 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry that your sister is abusing medications and alcohol. It must be hard for all of you to watch her do this. I take abilify for a mood stabilizer, I don't know if it would help her or not. I am sure the psychiatrist is on the right track. I am sorry she wont take the meds that she needs. Does she have pain? Is she prescribed pain meds and soma? Soma is a strong muscle relaxer. And drinking with it is bad. Drinking will make her more depressed, so she could be in a viscious cycle right now.

Do you think a family intervention would do any good? If not, there isn't a lot that you can do to change her behavior. She is going to have to do this herself. LIke I say, it is hard to watch and live with. If she is a threat to herself or others, she should be hospitalized. Nobody wants to have to worry about gaining weight. But we have to look at them realistically.

We are here for you.

Hugs, Karen
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