Bipolar [Archive] - Hip Forums

fulmah

03-28-2006, 06:08 PM

What is Epival? I don't think I have heard of that. I like Seroquel, but my previous doctor precribed risperdal instead. I don't take that anymore.
Epival's active ingredient is divalproex sodium, and is typically prescribed for controlling seizures. However, some doctors will prescribe it for bipolar patients to help control acute mania. I'm not sure if it's gotten approval from the FDA yet... but it is available in Canada. What is available and very similar to it, though, is Depakote.

hippie_chick666

03-29-2006, 03:22 AM

I was diagnosised as hypomanic before because of not needing much sleep, feeling really hyper to the point of not being able to slow down, thoughts speeding through my mind, ideas that I was a genious, etc. At the time, I didn't know what it meant so I ignored the diagnosis and stopped seeing that doctor, mainly because she wanted me to do a drug screen.

Two summers ago, I was diagnosised as having underlying depression because, I guess, I seemed depressed. I wasn't given much info on why, but I was prescribed Wellbutrin. After taking that I became depressed, as in I felt like shit. I didn't want to do anything, I felt hollow and empty, and I wanted herion to make the feeling go away. That was my first TRUE depressed mood swing. About a month later, I had a hypomanic episode. I thought I was a genious, I couldn't sit still, I had racing thoughts, I talked faster than usually, and I couldn't slow down. My friends thought I had been smoking meth because of my erratic behavior.

Around four monthes later, I had a TRUE manic episode. I couldn't sleep for about a week without taking adderall, sleeping pills wouldn't help and I just tripped from those, I began having hallucinations, I talked SUPER-SUPER-FAST-BECAUSE-WORDS-COULDN'T-KEEP-UP-WITH-THOUGHTS. I was a mess. After that lovely incident, I was given my current diagnosis.

Hope that answers your questions, jazz.

Fulmah, I was prescribed that in Depakote/ Depakene. Never knew other names for it. Thanks for the info.

Peace and love

gaz or jazz

03-29-2006, 08:22 PM

hippie-chick thanks for the reply and for being so honest.
I would love to hear your ideas for being a genius if you care to recall.

i have researched bipolar and how reference diagnosis states periods of insomnia and not needing sleep,hyperactivity and depression.
My own condition,although i have not been diagnosed is much different.
I am not prepared to reveal the episodes here but if you think i am intrusive and you need to know then get in touch privately and i will reveal.
thanks for your help.

hippie_chick666

03-30-2006, 02:44 AM

I kept having thoughts that I considered "genius." It's so weird to describe later, because it's like, what was I thinking? I also came up with this idea of our world as the matrix, with society as the matrix, making the rules for people. I don't really remember what I thought, mainly because my thoughts were speeding together.

No, you're not intrusive Jazz. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask here! I hope you are doing well!

Peace and love

gaz or jazz

03-31-2006, 05:39 PM

thanks for the replies

hiro

03-31-2006, 07:31 PM

I myself had a hypomanic episode. It was induced by the medication I was on at the time. I since have not had any episodes but I am in a disposition to have another, as it runs in my family.

Kendi

04-07-2006, 05:23 AM

I was diagnosed about a year and a half ago. 3 doctors later I am taking 900mg Lithium and 300mg Lamictal which my doc says is the standard treatment, at least where you start out. I'm also taking 100mg of seroquel but I am going down to 25 soon. It's helped me tremendously as I look back and realizse how pyscho I was. My biggest complaint is lack of motivation, I don't want to do shit most of the time. And I don't have that honest of relationship with my doctor, I have trust issues with doctors. And I've gained almost 30 pounds in the past year so I am a fatass. I went from 150 to 180. Sucks. I used to be a pretty boy now all the girls are creeped out by me. But at least I am not totally insane anymore.

Alloy

10-17-2006, 04:27 PM

I have question. I have been reading these posts and I have some of those manic symptoms others are talking about. Does taking Total Lean or other stimulant, diet pills cause Bi-polar symptoms, do you think? My doctor gave me abilify and I haven't tried it yet. I don't really know if I am bi-polar? I do have the one day really up and the next day totally down days.

hippie_chick666

10-17-2006, 06:23 PM

Diet pills don't cause bipolar disorder. They can worsen manic symptoms, however. Bipolar disorder is a genetically related, brain chemistry imbalance. I am taking abilify and it has really helped out a lot. The only way to know if it will help is to try it. There may be side effects, but decide with your doctor if you can live with them or if you need to try something else. Good luck on whatever decision that you make about the medication.

Peace and love

spooner

10-17-2006, 06:26 PM

The use of certain stimulants, especially blow and meth, can emulate mania fairly well.

Does that make you bipolar? no.

Alloy

10-17-2006, 06:52 PM

What side effects did you have with abilify hippie chick?

I do think that I am bi-polar 1 as the doctor said, it just surprised me that is all. The diet pills do say they cause irritability, hyperactivity, etc. But I noticed bi-polar symptoms after I had a string of bad things happen, which started causing depression and anxiety. Bi-polar can be caused from your environment I heard.

hippie_chick666

10-17-2006, 11:00 PM

Bipolar episodes can be triggered by your enviroment. These are called triggers.

As to the abilify, it can cause mainly shakiness and twitches when you first start taking it. I don't know other side effects; those are just the ones that I've expierenced first hand. I don't have the shakiness as bad now that I've been on the medication for about four to five monthes. It really helps out.

If you have other questions about bipolar disorder, please feel free to ask. I am willing to listen and answer as best as I can. Good luck with your diagnosis.

Peace and love

alpha ralpha

10-18-2006, 06:00 PM

I'm diagnosed hypomanic, bipolar w' panic attacks. I get all the bad side effects from the medications so am currently not taking anything and just living alone and staying home all the time. I started getting tremors from the meds so be aware of that, they can do nerve damage. I'm trying marijuana to help take the edge off, the problem is it's expensive and I cannot deal with the dealers who are usually cokeheads as well.
After 911 I got off my meds and promptly fell into a manic episode that ended in my living the next 5 years in the desert and in finally in my moms driveway in my van.
i don't drink alcohol or do anything besides the pot and a little coffee (I should quit, it doesn't help except to clear my head.)
I get suicidal at times but I think after spending most of my life almost homeless (knowing I couldn't function regularly I'd buy an old motorhome or travel trailer and put it in someone's back yard--no elec or that stuff though--and finally bought a sailboat, then lastly the van. I LOVE living indoors!!!!!! Electricity Rocks! and not that solar power where you might get enough power to run a fan or a 2" tv for a couple hours. On a sailboat my computer would've corroded so quick from the salt air. Anyways, I think that I won't get too suicidal as long as I can maintain housing and stay alone.
My advice is to AVOID stressful situations, make concessions. Choose peace over fun.

cutelildeadbear

10-19-2006, 07:05 AM

Regarding Abilify: It will affect everyone differently I imagine, but for me, it just knocked me out. This was again back when the doctors thought I was bi-polar (which I am not). The one horrible thing it did though was worsen my depression. I remember crying so much that I couldn't even talk. It just made me want to die. That is a scary thought if one is bi-polar. And I was taking it in conjunction with Wellbutrin for the depression. I was only supposed to take the Abilify when I was overwhelmed or highly stressed (when my psycho mother in law came to visit mostly), but the side effects lasted for a week.

With any drugs for mental well being you have to try them to see if they will work. It could take a combo of drugs. Just make sure you record and report any side effects to your doctor.

And lying or keeping something from your doctor will never help you get well. I didn't like one of my doctors either, so I just stopped going to him and found a new one that was wonderful. My mother was seeing a psychologist that she was constantly lying to and he could tell for obvious reasons and he kicked her out and told her he couldn't help her.

alpha ralpha

10-20-2006, 06:18 PM

the last thing they tried to give me was abilify but the pharm didn't have it in and I didn't go back for it. I have developed tremors from the meds and that's what you're saying happens w' the abilify; I cant believe he was trying to give me that knowing about my tremors. Personally I would rather just live my hermit life than take those drugs, the side effects suck!

hippie_chick666

10-21-2006, 12:51 AM

As for me, I would rather live a healthy life and deal with the side effects of medication than live like I was when I was unmedicated, homeless and unhappy. The drugs have evened out my moods, especially abilify and I can go on with my life and not worry about having another episode. The last one landed me in jail. Medication helps, especially when you're under a good doctor's care.

Peace and love

alpha ralpha

10-21-2006, 04:45 PM

So, you say the tremors have subsided from the abilify?

honeyhannah

10-22-2006, 07:13 AM

I'm bipolar... I don't remember the specifics. I was first diagnosed at 16, depression, after that my bipolar became apparent, my doctor knew but I wasn't diagnosed because I moved. Then I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder, which I knew was not true... I have a mild amount of anxiety but it's completely related to my depression and bipolar, the doctor was incompetent and didn't recognize those things even though I told him about it. I was without a doctor for a few years and had a horrible rollercoaster ride of it. Then in college at about 19 I was finally diagnosed as bipolar. When I was almost 21 I went into a mental hospital, by choice, but also by recommendation. They put me on a cocktail... I'd always done one med at a time before that. I did that for awhile and then I weened myself off some of them and then just quit all the meds altogether. I changed my diet... stopped focusing on anything that would stress me out, kept a detailed journal of how everything affected me and basically dedicated my time to being my own doctor.

Eventually I moved and got deeper into nutrition and I didn't have a problem for over a year... then I had a stressful couple months and wasn't taking complete care of myself and had my first manic episode after 1 1/2 years of being medication free. It was nothing near my worst, it was pretty mild really, and one of those sleepless, artistic, high energy things, then I crashed... and when I got back up the next day I started taking care of myself again... I think it was just a sort of warning to not forget what I've been through. That I definately need to continue to take care of myself.

I choose to never medicate again. If this hadn't worked, I would've kept trying medication, because I really like being healthy, but I prefer living this way. I support anyone's decision to medicate because I know that if I'd never taken any medication I wouldn't be where I am right now... but it was a journey and it's not for me.

alpha ralpha

10-22-2006, 05:34 PM

wow, I've been reading things that are a lot like my own experiences. I'll never medicate again mainly because of the tremors but I remember what a bitch withdrawal was. The exercise and nutrition worked pretty good but once I got a life going I stopped.

hippie_chick666

10-23-2006, 05:09 AM

Sorry about the delay, but yes, the tremors did stop.

Peace and love

rebubla72

10-23-2006, 01:33 PM

I'm bipolar type 1, have generalized anxiety disorder, an am a borderline personality. i take a phaymacy worth of meds. soemtimes i feel like they work and othertimes i don't even want to deal with them but i take them any way. i take a mood stabilizer called Topamax which kind of keeps the moodswings in check. i'm now on a second anti-depressant called Cymbalta (it's fairly new in the U.S.) that seems to be helping with the mental symptoms and with my chronic pain (i have Fibromylgia, too). I also take Geodon (an anti psychotic) which helps w/ anxiety, paranoia, and the mixed states. i too have gained weight with my meds but it was 70 lbs when i was on Effexor which i am now off thank goodness. i was diagnosed when i was 14. i've been on just about every anti-depressant and mood stabilizer available to no avail. my father is bipolar and derpression runs in our family. in fact, i can't work because the wonderful doctors can't get me stabilized; so i understand. i live on disablilty.
Peace.

Alloy

10-23-2006, 04:39 PM

I have a problem, I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 disorder last year. Then, I met someone very special in my life and things were great, new job, graduation, etc. Now I notice that the symptoms have came back. They were always there, but I supressed them with drugs and alcohol. Now, I called my psych, she said that I am not allowed to be treated there because I got into a fight with the secretary. How else can I get help. I don't want to do the talking sessions anymore. I want to see the psychiartrist to get medicine, instead of taking other people's pills. I don't want to start all over. What should I do?

hippie_chick666

10-23-2006, 11:22 PM

Find a new pyschiatrist, but your probably going to need to see a therapist too.

Peace and love

a_rabid_pineapple

10-25-2006, 03:16 PM

Can I ask a question? My family thinks that I might be bipolar and I'd like to know what you guys think.

Okay so like 3 years ago I had to live with my friend's family and I became really moody, like I was either depressed, angry, or happy every two weeks (almost clock work). I remember that I'd get into a lot arguements over stupid things like, "who left the windows open" when normally that wouldn't bother me and I even got into several fist fights (normally I never fight). Then other times when I was acting like a total retard (I didn't care how I was acting at the time) and it really embarassed the people around me.

However, when I left to visit my dad for the summer (3 months) I went back to how I was before I moved in with my friend. Sure I did have some mild depression and sometimes ran around the house like mad person. But my mood swings weren't nearly as bad. Then when I went back to live with my friend it all started again!

The only pattern that I can pick up on this is that when I'm around a lot of people all the time I get moody (my friend's house was always like this) but when I was living with my dad everything toned down significantly (my dad's house is a socially isolated environment).

So what do you think? I'm not really sure what to think so that's why I'm asking. Thanks!

hippie_chick666

10-25-2006, 09:53 PM

You might have a mood disorder, but it's best to see a pyschiatrist to diagnosis you rather than try to do it yourself. I recommend that you see a doctor.

Peace and love

Sherlock Holmes

10-26-2006, 06:25 AM

I was diagnosed with Bipolar in my teens. Don't know what type as I'm not sure they ever mentioned it. But I'm on Lithium and it really helps me. I stopped taking it for a while and just in the past few days I started seeing the signs of it coming back again, so I started the pills again.

I stopped taking it because I have problems remembering to take my pills. But now I see that I definitely need it since getting two cats in my apartment. It calms me down when I get angry or depressed, something that happens quite frequently when you have a kitten and an 8-month-old cat.

I also take Seroquel, but it's mostly for obsessive thoughts before bed. I don't like seroquel because it can become habit-forming and it has a tendency to knock me out for 15 hours at a time no matter how little of it I take.

rebubla72

10-26-2006, 11:14 PM

you might want to ask about Risperdal

Sherlock Holmes

10-27-2006, 12:43 AM

you might want to ask about Risperdal
If that was directed at me, I do not need that pill. I had it before and the only effect it ever had was to put me to sleep.

hippie_chick666

10-27-2006, 01:46 AM

I was given risperdal as a sleep aid. One drug that is interesting is abilify. It is an antipsychotic with mood stabilizing properties. My b/f is taking that alone as a mood stabilizer. It seems to make him jittery. I also take abilify, but I'm part of 10% of the population that is affected by it in a different way. I get tired and sleep. Not all drugs have the same effects for everyone. It's up to a doctor to decide what s/he thinks is best. Self medication can be bad if you don't have a doctor to talk to about what your doing.

Peace and love

alpha ralpha

11-02-2006, 04:10 PM

my doctor prescribed abilify after I have had problems (like that jitteriness, tremors) with other meds but WTF it does what I have problems with. I really would like to get back on meds, but just cannot tolerate anything anymore.

klonipin, ativan, pazil, zoloft, xanax, lithium, depakote, risperadol, tegratol. all make me jittery to say the least (well not the paxil, it was pretty benign but difficult to come.

gib_0101

11-15-2006, 06:55 AM

I met a guy with bipolar disorder on the bus today.

I was reading an article on bipolar disorder and he asked me if I was a doctor. I said no, I was just reading some random reading material. He said he noticed the article was about bipolar disorder and that he had it. He seemed kind of nervous after that, like he had just embarrassed himself. I guess he thought if I was a doctor it would have been more appropriate. Anyway, I tried to make him feel at ease by asking questions about it. I asked things like does he find the medication makes the symptoms disappear entirely or are there unwanted side effects, or does he have a strong support group to help him out, etc. I also told him I have a degree in psychology hoping that might be the next best thing to a doctor (well, maybe third or fourth :) ). But all throughout the conversation, he seemed really nervous. He kept saying he's come a long way and that a lot of the things that have helped him improve were of his own doing.

Is this typical of bipolar disorder - the nervousness, the way he initiated the conversation?

Anyway, I asked if he rides this route often and he said he did. So I told him I'd probably see him again. I got his name so I know how to say hi. Is there any advice you guys can give me as to what I can say to him next time to make him feel less nervous? How does someone with bipolar disorder typically want to be approached?

hippie_chick666

11-15-2006, 06:13 PM

There's a stigma attached to having bipolar disorder-"not being right in the head" which he might have been afraid that you would judge him. I don't disclose that I have bipolar disorder to just anyone b/c of what they might think if they are not educated about the disorder.

Peace and love

gib_0101

11-15-2006, 06:30 PM

So do you think that if I just talk to him casually, like I would any other person, he'll feel less nervous?

deadheadhemptress

11-15-2006, 07:39 PM

I use to take Trileptal, but when I turned 18 I decided that I didn't want to be on any medication to control my emotions. I think I have gotten better although I still will get unreasonably angry, but its definately better then how violent and unpredictable I was.

hippie_chick666

11-15-2006, 10:41 PM

Maybe. Each person is different and you never know what kind of reactions he got when he told other people, including family, that he had the disorder. Some people act weirded out by it while others are like, "I knew it!" He might have had bad expirences in the past.

Peace and love

alpha ralpha

11-16-2006, 05:07 PM

I've read that bipolars tend to be extroverts, I initiate conversations and am nervous too so maybe that's the trend.
I kinda miss being on medications but not that jitteriness which can be permanent from some of the medications.
Wouldn't suggest telling anyone you are bipolar though, that's just asking for negative judgement.

lynsey

11-16-2006, 08:41 PM

I don't tell anyone about my DID except my close friends because people assume I will turn into somone else with a different name or something like that. They are clueless as to what it really entails and how well I can control it and that it's not a lifelong thing. People are really ignorant about mental abnormalities. It's frustrating.There's a stigma attached to having bipolar disorder-"not being right in the head" which he might have been afraid that you would judge him. I don't disclose that I have bipolar disorder to just anyone b/c of what they might think if they are not educated about the disorder.

Peace and love

Donna98387

11-20-2006, 09:15 AM

hippie_chick666

11-20-2006, 07:01 PM

The amount of medication varies from person to person. There is no "normal" amount. That said, it seems like you are taking a normal amount of medication. How much you take depends on how severe the disorder is.

Peace and love

gib_0101

11-20-2006, 07:23 PM

I've been on lithium for quite some time now. 1800 mgs along with 100mg zoloft, 225mg effexor and 1mg clonazepam to help me sleep. Does this seem alot or more than normal? I've had some serious experiences in the past and I am prone to being very depressed.

BTW hi, new here ;)
I don't know anything about those medications or the condition you suffer from. I don't know if 1800 mgs is too much, too little, or the normal amount. Same for 100mg, 225mg, and 1mg. But the variety of drugs you're taking seems like a lot. Four different drugs seems risky. Are the effects of these drugs well known? Are their effects on your body in the presence of each other well known? Hopefully, the amounts you mentioned (1800mg, 100mg,...) are small, in which case it probably isn't that hazardous.

I should be one to talk though. I often mix recreational drugs together without a exact way of measuring the dosage. I'm probably putting myself more at risk than you. :&

alpha ralpha

11-22-2006, 05:34 AM

that's not too much. My ex takes about that much. many take more. I suppose the effexor is to keep you up and the Klonipin to sleep. Fortunately you can take Zoloft, it's milder than some others.

I've been off meds and living alone kinda not doing too well but lately things have been getting out of control. Luckily I'm alone and can get a grip but I need to find something again. It doesn't help that the mental health facility is in the projects and I'm too scared to take the bus there. Seriously scary and dangerous. I'm rethinking my no meds decision. Maybe I can't function w/o them unless I'm just going to lay around on my couch all day w no friends or life besides this computer and some tv. Gack!