HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Running out of Meds

Support Forums
>
Bipolar Disorder
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 1/25/2010 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone else out there has been told they're bipolar but that meds might not help. I've gone through anti-depressants, mood stabilizers and even anti-psychotics and nothing has worked. My next option is to try Lithium, but it kills your thyroid. Has this happened to anyone else? I tried Abilify and Pristiq and all the meds that are supposed to help you if you're bipolar and nothing has worked. I'm getting worried I might be un-helpable.
Posted 1/26/2010 12:57 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Bluemoon,

I've only been told that meds will help me.  And they have definitely made things a lot better for me. 

There are a lot of medications out there and maybe you just haven't found the right combination yet.

I would consider getting a second opinion.

Best wellness wishes to you.

Posted 1/26/2010 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
BlueMoon,

Do you have some sort of thyroid condition that would make the lithium particularly hard on it for you?

serafena
Posted 1/26/2010 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry, I should have been more clear. I don't have any pre-existing thyroid problems. My doctor said that Lithium might work and that it might kill my thyroid. What if the Lithium doesn't work and I'm stuck taking thyroid meds for the rest of my life? It just seems like a scary option, but seems to be one of very few at this stage in the game.
Posted 1/27/2010 6:35 PM (GMT 0)

Hi BlueMoon,

We are in the same situation. It's been 4 years since my dx and I have been through all the meds too, really-with the exception of antidepressants b/c pdoc doesn't want me cycling. I have also been very hesitant to try Lithium, that is the only other one I have not tried.  I am at that point where not only the depression is causing this feeling of hoplessness, but I feel that way in general due to the meds not working and meds-wise I do feel I'm out of options.

It's a scary feeling and I am going to be talking with my pdoc in great length about this at our next appt in three weeks.  I think I am going to beg for the antidepressant because this episode of depression has gone on for months and I can't take it any more.

I don't know really what to tell you, except to say that you are not alone and I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing this barrier as well.

Take extra care of yourself, do something to help you relax and I will do the same after work today.

Posted 1/29/2010 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
with some people it takes a long time to find the right meds, I was one of those.
now on about 6 different meds, but feel good for the first time in my life.
here is my list
Lithium mood stabilizer
lamictal mood stabilizer
zoloft depression
welbutrin depression
abilify Antipsychotic
seroquel Antipsychotic
trying to work off the zoloft and the welbutrin with pdoc advice the goal is to be down to just lithium and lamictal
Posted 2/1/2010 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
Mogli,

I just got put on Clonazepam (.5 as needed) and have seen a small change when I take it, which is encouraging. It feels kind of like a cop-out, though. Thank you for reminding me to be nice to myself - I'm in my last semester in college and it's really easy to forget to do that. blush
Knowing I'm not the only one out there feeling like this makes me feel a lot better...

Thomas,

Glad to hear you are feeling good! I hope you've found the combo that works for you.


I'm no longer seeing my psychiatrist. He's going to continue prescribing me drugs, but I am going to start DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) because the mood stabilizers and anti-psychotics made me worse. Hoping the Clonazepam helps and that I won't feel like this forever... cry

Thank you for listening to me -
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply