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 difficult.
Then I found a medication that worked. It was like getting a business partner! When I combined the Health Cards with the medication, my life changed completely. It just took a few years for it all to work together. I started to get a lot better last year.
So keep trying medications until you find what works. My coauthor Dr. John Preston wrote a fantastic book called The Medical Treatment of Bipolar Disorder. This book is especially helpful if you or someone you care about were just diagnosed. You can read about the book on bipolarhappens.com
Julie
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I am thankful for the medication Carbon Lithium because it levelled me during the bad times. Having the stress of an abusive husband who was always believed by everyone including the Police, made my condition far worse. Trusting all of my Doctors kept me sane but I felt like I was in a make believe world. Now that I take PRO ACTIVE measures with my Psychiatrist I investigated the WORLD CLASS MEDICAL SCIENCE of Dr. Robert Keller and Dr. Herbert Nagasawa. Without the scientific research Doctors wouldn’t have the different medications available for Mental Health.
In the past 2 years I worked with my Doctor using prescription medication and a Natural Supplement which goes intracellular. By trusting the Medical Research and using the Supplement I have been able to stop taking sleeping medications and ativan for stress. Now all I take is the supplement when my body issues change. I have not been depressed for the entire time and my manias are tempered to almost nothing. The physical anger I had in my body is gone and I can enjoy caffinated beverages again. I am active and benefit with better recovery times. I don’t drink or take other drugs because the supplement works for all my issues. My brain is protected from any mania/depression by increasing the glutathione and I am no longer worried about my brain shrinking as I age.
A recent whiplash accident proved this after I was hospitalized. My brain was protected and I was able to recover from the ordeal sooner. It is documented that a bipolar/depressed brain looses Grey Matter during this time. I found that I recovered sooner than any time in hospital but had a hard time convincing the Doctors that I did not want any further medications. My Memory has continued to increase and getting the deepest sleeps I have ever had gives my brain the rest it requires to “HEAL”. Taking the supplement actually helps my medications work better as they process through my liver. My side effects from taking Lithium for over 30 years have improved including not losing a pile of hair. My weight has been within 3 lbs and my mental acuity very evident. Lithium has helped my condition for the first 30 years but now I’ve found the answer for the rest of my life.
I believe trust with your Doctor and educating onesself is key to recovery. I trusted what everyone can find out about with World Class Scientists and I have never regretted it.
The most interesting discovery I believe is that my body/brain can heal itself. My bipolar/depressed brain has OXIDATED brain cells that are DEPLETED in GLUTATHIONE. That is the Master ANTI OXIDANT of every one of our 50 TRILLION. After 2 years of increasing my glutathione with a supplement giving my brain intracellular N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) I have the answer for my sons and family regarding Mental Illness and Health and Wellness.