Keep trying to find the right bipolar disorder medication…..

How Many Medications Should I Try?

This is a difficult question for many health care professionals as well as people with the illness. It’s known that the first bipolar disorder medications tried are not always successful and that a trial and error process is usually indicated. Some people try medications for a year or more until they find something that works for them. Considering medication side effects and the impact on the body when stopping or changing medications,it’s important that you work with your health care professional closely when you’re asked to try a new medication.

I suggest that people keep trying to find the right medications. I use the Health Cards every day as I always say and I used them without medications for many years. It took me about 50% of my time to manage the illness. I’ve always said that managing this illness was a part time job. It was so [ Read More ]





Bipolar Disorder Medications –Lamictal Side Effects

Bipolar Medications:Lamictal Side Effects

I love Lamictal. That could be a bumper sticker on my car. I hope you have a medication that you love.

Unfortunately,I have some pretty tough side effects. Right now I’m dealing with the super stiff neck that often comes with the drug. It disrupts my sleep,which isn’t good! It’s like nighttime whip lash. I’ve found that stretching my neck and then using an ice pack helps. I try to get a massage as often as possible. I find myself moving my head over and over again to try to find a comfortable place on my pillow. There usually isn’t one! My side effects come and go,so hopefully this will be gone soon.

I’ve probably written about this on the blog- but I had to write it again to remind people that we may have to live with some side effects if the medication works [ Read More ]





Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder

Reader Comment

I often get letters from readers telling me how they use my books. Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder has a lot of workbook elements. 

Hi Julie,

I’m reading and writing about your book,“Take charge of bipolar disorder”. My favorite chapter is on behavior change. It’s true I’ve gone through some very positive experiences lately,and it’s kicked in a depression,which doesn’t make any sense.  Change is a real killer. Your chapter makes me feel hopeful about dealing with the fallout from change. I have to admit,your chapter on “work and money”hit too close to home,so I haven’t been able to write a fair accounting of it. My apologies–there seems to be some good info. in there. Anyway,I like your book very much. Keep at it!

**

 I love to hear from readers. Writing is very solitary. I write all of my books at libraries,coffee shops and [ Read More ]





Bipolar Disorder and Medications:Lithium,Zoloft,Celexa,Lamictal

Here are some stories that illustrate a fact:bipolar disorder medication efficacy can change over time.

Lithium:My dear friend Sherri- who has bipolar I-  took Lithium successfully for over eight years.  Two years ago she had a severe manic/psychotic episode without a major trigger. My coauthor Dr. John Preston calls them breakthrough mood swings. She spent the past two years on Lithium and Zyprexa. It was a tough two years,but she is doing SO well. I just talked with her today and I said,“It’s so great to have Sherri back!” She said that her husband feels the same. People do get better!

Zoloft:Another friend was on Zoloft for ten years. It stopped working effectively. She then tried Celexa. It worked for a while,but not as well as Zoloft. So she’s going back on the Zoloft! It’s an art to find out what drug works for you. It is a lifelong [ Read More ]





Bipolar Disorder Triggers

Bipolar Disorder Triggers

I just finished an article on bipolar disorder triggers for my column in BP Magazine.

I was going through some serious trigger issues when I wrote it! Do you write things down when you’re sick? I find it helps. I can often see my role in what’s going on if I write about what I’m honestly feeling.

I started seriously examining my bipolar triggers about eight years ago when I created the Health Cards (my treatment plan on bipolarhappens.com )-  wow,I was a mess. I walked into situations without thinking and I was constantly ill. I’m a lot more vigilant now. A lot more. The minute I start to get sick,I think to myself- what is going on here? And I examine my life. Often it’s a problem with a person or work. Considering that my life pretty much revolves around relationships and work,this is depressing!

A friend of [ Read More ]





Bipolar Mania:Pressured Speech

Pressured speech is a hallmark of mania. Here are the characteristics:

- Can’t stop talking – it’s not like it’s a choice when it get’s bad. You really can’t stop!

- The desire to speak is so strong you will talk over the other person.

- You can’t complete a sentence before going to the next one.

- Speaking feels really good and you’re fascinated with your own ideas!

Those are just a few descriptions of manic pressured speech.

I’ve had it the past few days. Luckily,I know the signs from using my Health Cards for so many years,but it still catches up on me. And then I’m embarrassed.

It’s mania time here in the US. Many people go into the hospital in July and August.

 Do you have a plan to prevent mania? Are you showing any signs of pressured speech?

Julie





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