will it get better?

First, I would like to say, Ambiem is not for everyone.  For, me it only worked about 2 days.

You are not being patient with the meds again .  Sometimes it takes 6-8 weeks for the full affect.  Lithium takes time, I have been on it on and off of it for the last 2 years.  Plus they start you on low dosage with all meds, and raise it up to a therapudic lever.

I was on Lamictal for almost 2 years in the past, but some people feel the boost right away, while for others it takes a months or more.  I don't think I felt the full affect for about a month.

Please try to be patient with your meds, try not to give up on them so soon.  I hope they work well for you, and soon.

Olivia

Hi Jersey,

So definitely meds take a long, long time to work...6-8 weeks just like Olivia said.  I know you're probably aware of that, but it's just extremely hard on you to cope in the meantime, right?

What your pdoc said, about 6 months, that's a long time if the medication is giving you a hard time with side effects and if your bp symtpoms aren't changing or become worse.  On the other hand, sometimes it takes months to figure things out.  You should wait at least 8 weeks.  Then I would give things as long as you can after that, just so you have a good idea on how the meds are actually working for you.

The biggest factor for me in quiting my bipolar meds, was that the anti-psychotics and some of the mood stabilizers, were in fact making my bp symtpoms worse.  The side effects were rough on me, but the fact that my mental/emotional state was so severely impacted, was the reason I stopped.  I don't believe the health professionals or the researchers know enough about these drugs, and I feel with some people they are doing so much more harm than good, mentally and/or emotionally.

The most important thing I think you need to look at is "are these meds making my bipolar symptoms worse?"  If they are, then talk to your pdoc.

Hang in there

Jersey,

How have you been doing?  How are you adjusting to meds.  I hope all is well with you, and hang in there.

Olivie

just wanted to let you all know i'm doing better. not great or anything just okay i guess. but its still better.

my husband switched jobs so that he'd be able to be home with me at night because my nights are my worst. and thats helped me to feel better. i dont get upset now when he leaves for work everyday like i did.

still not real sold on the meds, but i guess i need to learn to accept them. i still dont feel any real benefit from them. i think the only reason i feel better is because he switched jobs not because of the meds. i go to see my pdoc this thursday and i am going to talk to him about how i feel about the meds and all. i just hate taking go many and then they dont seem to help. just seems pointless.

i still get adjatated easily. and "down" easily. i'm trying to be patient with the meds but shouldnt i be getting some kind of relief? or maybe i am and i just think its all his job change. i dont know. but thats an update on how i'm doing. hope your all doing good.