Help for bipolar disorder rapid cycling: Answer to reader question

    

A Reader Question for Julie Fast

I just received a comment from Reanna about her rapid cycling that won’t stop. I have been there so I understand! She asked a question about bipolar disorder treatment. Here is the question and my answer:Julie,Reading your posts has been very helpful–thank you! I have been having a horrible time with “mixed episodes” in where I will be up for a few hours, then out of no where, boom, I am down, then up, then down! My dr. ordered blood tests, but any suggestions on coping methods until the tests kick in?Reanna

Hi Reanna, Oh yes, I certainly understand. I have done that rapid cycling. It’s hard to get all of the terms straight with this illness! When you go up and then down- that is rapid cycling. A lot of rapid cycling. We are similar. I can have five or more [ Read More ]





FDA Approved Bipolar Disorder Drugs

Here is an interesting list- the FDA (federal drug administration) has to ok a drug for use with bipolar disorder before a drug company can advertise that the drug can be used for bipolar disorder. Here is a list of the approved drugs with their initiation dates. I will write more on this topic in the next few days:

FDA: Acute Mania        *   1970:  Lithium       *   1973:  Thorazine        *   1995:  Depakote       *   2000:  Zyprexa           *   2003:  Risperdal         *   2004:  Seroquel       *   2004:  Abilify       *   2005:  Geodon       *   2005:  Equetro (Tegretol)     FDA: Acute Bipolar Depression             *  2004: Symbyax                  (Prozac-Zyprexa combo)          *  2007: Seroquel

FDA: Maintenance (for use in managing bipolar disorder in general)                *  1974:  Lithium: both          *  2003:  Lamictal:                          depression          *  2004:  Zyprexa: both          *  2005:  Abilify: both

This list can be a bit confusing- especially [ Read More ]





Bipolar Disorder Medications: What is Zyprexa? (Olanzapine)

 Zyprexa, also known as Olanzapine is an anti psychotic drug (also known as a neuroleptic) used to treat psychosis and psychotic mania.

It’s called an atypical antipsychotic as it is a new class of drugs with less side effects that the old anti-psychotics such as Thorazine and Haldol. Zyprexa is known for weight gain- an average of 20 pounds per person, but I definitely know people who don’t gain weight at all.

Zyprexa is used to treat bipolar disorder mania and psychosis – (and schizophrenia.)

I have seen it work miracles on people who are very ill.  It’s hard to find a balance between the benefits of the drug and the side effects- but for many, the benefits are what matters. I have a friend who was on the drug for two years to keep her mania and psychosis in check. It definitely kept her out of the hospital- but she felt over drugged and [ Read More ]





Bipolar Disorder and Pristiq (desvenlafaxine): a new antidepressant

I recently opened a magazine and saw an antidepressant (Pristiq) I had never heard of- so I asked my coauthor Dr. John Preston to explain the mistique of Pristiq!

Hi…Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)is a clone of Effexor…I like it because the starting dose is often the therapeutic dose (50 mg)…with Effexor you had to start low (37.5 mg) and gradually increase the dose (often up to 150-300 mg)…also Pristiq has somewhat less nausea than Effexor….but like all antidepressants is absolutely can cause mania… John 

**And as we all know… people with bipolar disorder can’t take antidepressants alone- and if they do take them- it needs to be in combination with a mood stabilizer such as lithium, depakote or tegretol!  Pristiq sounds like a resort! Who names these things!  Julie  

PS: If you view this blog from amazon.com, you can see the whole blog at www.bipolarhappens.com/bhblog

[ Read More ]





Medication Side Effects: Stomach Problems

Did you know that there is Serotonin in our stomachs? It has the second highest concentration of the neurotransmitter after our brains.

 This is why SSRI drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft and many others can cause stomach problems. As my coauthor Dr. John Preston says, “There’s no way to harpoon a drug straight to the neurotransmitters in your brain. They have to go through the whole body which is why they cause so many side effects.”

I remember being so sick I couldn’t work. I was always in the bathroom. That may be more than you want to know about me! but it’s important to know that you’re not alone if drugs are making your stomach rumble.

Side effects can include nausea, irritable bowel syndrome, bloated stomach, acid reflux, etc. etc.

Lovely!

Here are some tips on keeping your stomach happy:

1. First of all, talk with your doctor if things are really bad. It’s [ Read More ]





Bipolar Disorder Medication Tips: Travel

Hi, I’m up early here on the west coast. I go to Virginia tomorrow and spent the last three days switching over to east coast time. It really helps.

The traveling makes me think of my meds. Here are some tips on travel and meds:

- Put your meds in three places.  On your body- purse, pill box in wallet, etc.

- Put meds in your carry on- I have enough for the trip in my bag- it’s about 15 pills.

- Put meds in regular suitcase.

That way I have meds no matter what happens. I can’t miss doses, so I overprepare when it comes to travel.

Julie





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