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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CindyLou on February 26, 2004, at 12:12:04
Hello,
I am looking for people who have had long-term success in treating Bipolar II. Could you tell me ... what med(s) you take, what doses, how long you've been on them, and how they help? I am seeing a new pdoc and would like to have some information handy.Currently I am being treated for depression and anxiety, but I most likely have BPII and need to be treated for that. I react strangely and strongly to most meds.
Thank you for your responses.
cindy
Posted by HappyGirl on February 26, 2004, at 17:05:09
In reply to Hope for BPII??, posted by CindyLou on February 26, 2004, at 12:12:04
Hi;
Having Bipolar is NOT fun thing to think about. Then, in my suggestion, try to ask as to Bp and its med. AFTER your pdoc. properly dx'ed Bipolar.In regard to Bp meds., there are many, ... however if you're sensitive to those med. class, then to be frank and honest with you, it might be some 'trial and error' to find a right med. combo. Finding a right med. combo. is quite 'challenge' for anyone, ... then try to be optimistic NOT to have Bipolar in the first place.
H.G.
Posted by CindyLou on February 27, 2004, at 17:22:37
In reply to Hope for BPII??, posted by CindyLou on February 26, 2004, at 12:12:04
The lack of responses is making me want to give up.
Posted by Maxime on February 27, 2004, at 20:48:19
In reply to so, there's no hope?, posted by CindyLou on February 27, 2004, at 17:22:37
Of course there is hope. There are many meds (both traditional and alternative) that can help. It's not a death sentence. I'm BP1 and here I am today. :)
Take care.
Maxime
> The lack of responses is making me want to give up.
>
>
Posted by CareBear04 on February 27, 2004, at 22:01:37
In reply to Hope for BPII??, posted by CindyLou on February 26, 2004, at 12:12:04
hi cindylou,
i haven't been on meds for very long, but i've been through dozens of them, and i've finally found a combination that works pretty well for me. i've been on lithium between 450 and 1200 mgs. my new pdoc thinks bpIIs can be treated with lower doses of lithium. if you can get by without a mood stabilizer, that would probably be ideal because they are generally not fun meds to be on. i'm also on two antidepressants, sleeping meds, and antianxiety meds. low dose antipsychotics can actually work really well, too, even though they sound a little scary. i've been on most of the newer ones, and zyprexa has mood-stabilizing properties, though it's a trade-off with the side effects. the older APs are also worth trying. i never thought i would try haldol, but i've been on a tiny dose for a week or two, and it's been amazingly helpful. if you're very anxious, as i am, it can make you feel really calm.
don't worry, you'll find the right combination of meds. it may take some time, but it'll happen. good luck, cb
Posted by CindyLou on February 28, 2004, at 7:08:22
In reply to Re: Hope for BPII?? » CindyLou, posted by CareBear04 on February 27, 2004, at 22:01:37
Thank you so much for your response! I have tried dozens, maybe more, meds and combos of meds, and have negative reactions to most of them. Currently I take Lexapro, Klonapin, Dextroamphetamine and Ritilin. Basically, these meds are treating symptoms of what appears to be BPII -- the Klonapin treats the anxiety, the stims treat the fatigue, and the Lex treats the depression. I've been taking these for over a year now, and holding my own, but lately everything seems to be backfiring.
A new pdoc I have seen wants me to try Lithium again. I tried it once shortly after having my daughter 4 years ago, and I was so zoned out and exhausted on it I only lasted a day. I think I was only on 300 mg. This new doc wants me to try 450 mg. It may be different now that my hormones have evened out since the postpartum period. But I'm scared to try it. This new doc says that things will only get worse if I just treat the symptoms of the BP and not the actual diagnosis.
Thanks again for your response. Any more insights and experiences out there will be very helpful, although I really just need positive ones please. I have enough negative feelings and experiences about this whole thing already.
Thanks,
cindy
> hi cindylou,
> i haven't been on meds for very long, but i've been through dozens of them, and i've finally found a combination that works pretty well for me. i've been on lithium between 450 and 1200 mgs. my new pdoc thinks bpIIs can be treated with lower doses of lithium. if you can get by without a mood stabilizer, that would probably be ideal because they are generally not fun meds to be on. i'm also on two antidepressants, sleeping meds, and antianxiety meds. low dose antipsychotics can actually work really well, too, even though they sound a little scary. i've been on most of the newer ones, and zyprexa has mood-stabilizing properties, though it's a trade-off with the side effects. the older APs are also worth trying. i never thought i would try haldol, but i've been on a tiny dose for a week or two, and it's been amazingly helpful. if you're very anxious, as i am, it can make you feel really calm.
> don't worry, you'll find the right combination of meds. it may take some time, but it'll happen. good luck, cb
Posted by sjb on February 28, 2004, at 8:02:07
In reply to Re: Hope for BPII?? » CindyLou » CareBear04, posted by CindyLou on February 28, 2004, at 7:08:22
Well, it's the nature of the beast that this forum is, primarly, going to by people frustrated with their meds. I know from personal experience, that when I'm doing well, I rarely come here. I don't even want to think about it, that I have a "mental" problem. I've sometimes even taken it off my Favorites. (Probably a classic sign of BP right there!)
Anywayy, before I get hammered with opposing views let me disclaim: this is just a general observation, there are obviously many exceptions, thank goodness. There are many folks who post regulary with messages of hope and positive experiences with their meds.
Posted by Sooshi on February 28, 2004, at 10:28:33
In reply to Hope for BPII??, posted by CindyLou on February 26, 2004, at 12:12:04
Hi CindyLou,
I'm a BPII who's been successfully dealing with this all her life, because I'm still here, right?! Hey, it may not be all roses the whole trip, but we're all struggling to keep our heads above water, and sometimes we end up finding the right meds/therapies and can coast for awhile, and it sounds like that's just what you're looking for!
Right now I'm coasting on Effexor 300mg for 4years now, and Topamax 200mg for almost 5 months. The Effexor has been the best AD I've ever taken, and the Topamax has stabilized my ups and downs, although I think I will be increasing the dose some at my next appointment. For anxiety I have Klonopin, although I mostly use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques for that, which has all but cured me of panic attacks. I highly recommend it for any kind of anxiety disorder as well as depression.
Anyway, there is A LOT OF HOPE FOR BPII!! Please know that.
Good luck to you, and keep me posted,
Sooshi
Posted by CindyLou on February 28, 2004, at 11:43:15
In reply to Re: Hope for BPII?? » CindyLou, posted by Sooshi on February 28, 2004, at 10:28:33
Dear Sooshi,
Thank you very much for the supportive words, and for sharing your experience with me. It is just what I needed. I need to know if I should keep trying different meds, even though they always seem to backfire on me. Your post is helping to give me hope.Thank you.
cindy> Hi CindyLou,
>
> I'm a BPII who's been successfully dealing with this all her life, because I'm still here, right?! Hey, it may not be all roses the whole trip, but we're all struggling to keep our heads above water, and sometimes we end up finding the right meds/therapies and can coast for awhile, and it sounds like that's just what you're looking for!
>
> Right now I'm coasting on Effexor 300mg for 4years now, and Topamax 200mg for almost 5 months. The Effexor has been the best AD I've ever taken, and the Topamax has stabilized my ups and downs, although I think I will be increasing the dose some at my next appointment. For anxiety I have Klonopin, although I mostly use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques for that, which has all but cured me of panic attacks. I highly recommend it for any kind of anxiety disorder as well as depression.
>
> Anyway, there is A LOT OF HOPE FOR BPII!! Please know that.
>
> Good luck to you, and keep me posted,
> Sooshi
This is the end of the thread.
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