Here are some stories that illustrate a fact: bipolar disorder medication efficacy can change over time.
– Lithium: My dear friend Rececca- 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 Rebecca 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 process for most of us.
-Lamictal: As many of you know, I made a huge mistake a year and a half ago- I reduced my Lamictal because I thought it wasn’t helping enough with my depression. I didn’t realize it was helping me in so many other ways. When I finally got back up to my normal dose- the drug worked better. No kidding. It helped my depression a lot more than in the two prior years. I now find that I am struggling again with my Lamictal. It’ always a challenge!
Don’t give up on your bipolar meds. The right meds can change your life!
Julie
In April of 1999 I started using 1500mg of EPA Omega3 Fatty Acids in fish oil for my Bipolar II problem and found this to be an effective ‘keystone’ medicine for maintaining exquisite homeostasis in my mood system. They have no side effects.
I still use it today along with 600mg per day of Oxcarbazepine. They are a very effective combination for Bipolar II, I have had no issues with aberrant mood for over six years.
Could you tell me if other people are having success with Omega3 Fatty Acids in fish oil?
Winton E. Brown
Julie, I have been having more severe episodes since last fall. I pull out but it still hits hard and it always feels like this is the time I won’t make it. We have been trying different avenues and just a week and a half ago, we upped my Lamictal (generic) from 400mg to 500 mg. I am supposed to check in this week to report if it is helping. I am not sure of the effect at this point. If we need to, we will try 600mg. My side effects are a numb tongue (weird) and weakened muscle strength. I can put up with those after having some pretty severe side effects in years past. I am also on 1000mg Keppra (generic). This has been my meds for about 4 years. I think the trick for me at this point is trying to keep my triggers under control. I can usually pinpoint what sends me into a downward spiral. My husband is such a support but we are still trying to figure out how he can help me before I hit the bottom. It is frustrating and hard. I hope your meds get figured out. You are right that it is always a challenge. That won’t ever end, will it? 🙁
Hi Dina,
Please write me on my Julie A. Fast Fan Page and I will answer your question! Julie
Will writing to you on your fan page be posted to all our friends?
Hi Kelly, that is a really good question. If you post on my fan page, your friends will see that you visited me. If you send me a private message- no one will see. I asked people if they didn’t click the friend or like buttons for that reason- many said yes, so I said use the message! I answer all questions that people send me. Julie