What is a mood stabilizer?
The only ‘true’ mood stabilizer is lithium. The other three Depakote, Tegretol and Lamictal are called mood stabilizers- though they were not originally created for bipolar disorder. Lithium, Depakote and Tegretol are usually used as anti mania drugs. Lamictal works especially well for depression, psychosis and rapid cycling. I happen to be on Lithium for depression. So it can be used for both mood swings.
If you are familiar with my work, you know how I feel about Lamictal. It changed my life.
I respect my drugs- I struggle- but I respect.
Are you on a mood stabilizer?
Julie
I’ve been on Lamictal,Lithium and now am on Tegretol. I’m also taking Effexor for depression. Things are not right with me. I sleep all day and all night and get up before my husband gets home from work around 6pm so that he thinks I don’t sleep all day. I’m a nurse and don’t feel that I can work. I’ve been out of work since Feb of 2011. I was unable to do my job at work and told the company to fire me that I was’nt a quitter and they did. There have been jobs that I’m qualified for but I don’t think that I can do them due to my depression and BP. I have a appointment next week with my psychiatrist and I am desperate for some med changes. MY first sucide atempt was at age 11. I am 55 now and have tried several times to end my life including setting myself on fire at age 15. I am tired of fighting this illness. Why can’t any one find the right meds for me? When they say that depression hurts…YES it does!!The last time I was suicidal I took myself to the hospital. The meds worked then but I was put on 5 different meds and then doctors started taking me off of them one by one because of side effects that I was having. I yearn for that feeling again. I felt on top of the world and no one could take me down. Now I feel just BLAH… Any suggestions? Don’t say buy my books because I can’t hardly afford groceries.
Heidi, I was in a situation very similar to what you described. Hiding from everyone else that you spend all day sleeping, feeling depressed and frustrated with medication that just didn’t work for me, and not being able to work or do anything meaningful.
I had success with Lamictal and Celexa at first, but eventually I found myself suffering from episodes again and being extremely sleepy. My doctor changed Lamictal for Abilify, and added Bupropion to give me some energy. I also take Nuvigil and Aderall to stay awake.
I encourage you to do some research on these medications, and on the materials that Julie is offering you, so you can truly participate with your doctor in choosing the best alternatives. Good luck!
Hello Heidi,
I so completely understand what you are going through. I didn’t find a good combination of medications until this year. I am 48. It’s hard to deal with the tiredness and mood swings- the side effects- the work problems – etc. It seems endless. I do think that your meds are off. If you could get your sleep regulated that is the best start. I would discuss this with your doctor and simply make it a priority. It may be new sleep meds- changing other meds, etc. Sleep is what comes first.
I know what you mean about buying books. It’s not always possible. I have a lot of free stuff on http://www.BipolarHappens.com.
My Health Card books are available in download form- please send an email to Sheri at bp @ speakeasy.net and she will send you the download link for the three books in my system. I don’t want anyone to miss out on the books because of price. I’ve always had disability prices for my books. Anyone reading this who can’t afford my books, please write Sheri and we will come up with something. I believe the books are invaluable!
Don’t give up- and I promise I won’t give up. I’ve wanted to so many times- and I’m glad I didn’t. I’m stable for the first time in five years. It can happen to you as well.
Julie
Can you tell me if tegretol causes manic episodes? I haven’t been on it but a few Weeks, but my husband says this has been the longest 2 Weeks of his life. I have talked 90 miles an hour, been so angry, started arguments for no reason…well to him it was for no reason, but I have not been able to tolerTe him. I can’t sleep, my panic attacks have gotten worse…is this from the med?
Hi Mandy, See my comment above. Call your prescriber tomorrow! Remember, you can’t just go off of these drugs- it has to be tapered. Your doc can help you with this. I’m glad you wrote. Our brains are delicate and these are strong meds- I think we forget how strong they are! julie
My sister has bipolar. I believe she has the rapid cycling as she has many mood swings in a year. She takes mainly lithium, Thorazine as needed. Between her drugs, her attitude about her illness she Is not stable. Her dr has just informed her that the lithium is causing kidney issues so she has to try new meds. I am hoping that this is an opportunity for her to find something that will allow her to have a normal life. She is terrified. I am concerned for her. My younger sister and I are her support but we have a tough time trying to find a good way to communicate to her without her getting very angry, agitated. She does not view these symptoms as a part of the disease. I told her about you, Julie, and I think she just recently friended your page on Facebook. Her comment about the drugs you take was not positive. I told he about the blogs, that she can express her fears and you and others could help her through this. I also just came across the course that NAMI has. I took the course for family members. Is this course worth pursuing? Do you have any other suggestions as to how I can help my sister through this transition. I have seen your books and am willing to purchase these. The only problem my sister fights the whole concept of reading books. Any other suggestions?
Hi, my mom and a few of my aunts are bipolar so when I was diagnosed as bipolar after several years of being depressed and having anxiety it was no shocker. I have been on meds for a long time. Since childhood. I have taken Wellbutrin and lambic tall for around three years now and was on sapphires for two and a half. I had to stop it because I had to quit my psychologist. Now I go to a different one and they started me on abilify on top of my other meds. It seems to keep me from being depressed but I have had insomnia for a little over a week and I just don’t get sleepy. I had a headache for a little while after starting it and have it also have it still, dry mouth, I have memory problems anyway so I can’t tell if they have gotten worse since or not. I have also started itching for some reason and didn’t think it could be the abilify until reading it could be a side effect and to let the dr know if it happens. I am getting aggravated because of it. And because I haven’t slept in over a week!!!! Thanks!