Question about bipolar meds

After the correct meds for each individual is found, do meds for bipolar ever completely control the disorder? Are there triggers that cause a replapse even tho the correct medication is taken?

For lots of people the medications control their symptoms significantly, but not really completely, but I mean, reading these boards it's obvious a lot of people with bipolar or depression seem to find even the slightest changes in mood a "symptom" rather than normal human experiences (everyone has mood swings, it's the extremes and length of these moods that matter with bipolar).

Of course, that's not to say that someone with bipolar disorder is not going to have an episode despite the medication, so knowing the early warning signs and playing around with meds, yet again (as if you didn't have enough of that already) is quite common. But at least, you're playing with something you know works and before you go over the edge.

And it's important to realize that not everyone with bipolar disorder is going to be on some sort of medication everyday for the rest of their lives. It's not always needed.

Welcome Violet!

For most people it can take a while to find a medication regimen that works well to control the symptoms of bipolar disorder without causing horrible side effects. Once the winning combination is found, many people are very happy with their symptom control. I have talked to people who have found success with medications and have had their symptoms under control for 10 years or more. Others have had very good control with only very minor mood changes that create the need for a medication adjustment. I must respectfully disagree with Dearyou when he/she says, "it's obvious a lot of people with bipolar or depression seem to find even the slightest changes in mood a "symptom" rather than normal human experiences." I think in the beginning people may take every up and down in their life and think it's their illness getting out of control but I think overall, people who have been struggling with a mental illness for a longer period of time know when a change of mood is a bad sign or a normal human emotion. Personally when I first was diagnosed I was scared to death that every time I was upset it was the beginning of a deep depression or whatever. Now (2 years later) I have insight into what is a bad mood and what is my bipolar disorder getting ugly.

As for your second question, people will usually learn what their triggers are. For example, for me, working night shift is a HUGE trigger. Even when I am controlled on meds, if I work late into the night or don't sleep well or travel into a different time zone, my symptoms start acting up. The key is that I can feel myself start to swing and then I analyze my actions and realize my sleep is off or whatever so I can make adjustments without having to see the doctor or change meds or go to the hospital, etc.

Hope this helps. Take care,

Hi,
Just wanted to give you a little support HUG. My daughter has Bipolar 1 Disorder - an ultra rapid cycler, w/ Psychotic features.. Though it DID take several years to get her meds correct, She has been very stable for 6 years so far. She does still have ups and downs but they are very manageable. She has a great job , a son and lives her life .....fully..
We have found most important is finding those correct meds ... committing to a very healthy lifestyle ... keeping stress to a minimum ... these all make a huge difference in getting and remaining stable.
Just be patient and remember you are not alone...
Hope it get better soon for you,

B.C. Levinson
Author - " I just want my Daughter back - Coming to terms with Bipolar 1"

Thank you all for your responses! My husband and I are trying to help his sister who was diagnosed 3 years ago, maybe longer, but has been suffering with this all her life. She is 50yrs old now. She is resistant to medications even tho she's on the lowest dosages of what she's on which is Wellbutrin and Lithium. She's resistant for a couple reasons, one being the side effects, another being that she sticks to a natural and organic lifestyle and the meds don't "click" with her organic lifestyle. In addition......and I don't know how much this plays a role in her bipolar disorder, but she has also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and arthritis ans so takes somethings for those as well.

My husband and I want so much to be able to help her, not only for her own healths sake but also for the sake of the schizophrenic mother that she lives with who is triggered by her daughters illness even tho the meds she's been on have mostly controlled her for years. A collection of stressful situations caused Mom to go into an episode. We are currently dealing with this at present and Mom is two weeks into her current episode. Poor thing, we love her so much and we hate to see this happening.

We feel so desperate as to how to best help. We have been going to Nami support groups but are just begining that. We have received excellent information but realize that Sister-in-law needs to be motivated to seek help with the organizations she's been give the info for. We are trying to stay connected so we can offer support in any way that she needs.

We are the only family members left to help her. She has worn out her welcome every where else and Mom's doorstep was the last on the list, and she dumped herself here three years ago *sigh* I just feel like she dumped all this in our laps just when we were doing so well in regards to Mom's health. It is stressful for us too, because what effects that household effects ours as well. We are begining to feel like when will it be our time to enjoy our lives. Ya know what I mean. We are begining to feel some resentments. I'd rather be actively helping so as not to allow the resentment to seep in, but it's hard, ya know?

Ok, I've rattled on enough. Sorry this is so long. Thank you all for being here and offering your support.

Wow Violet... so sorry you're going through this situation but both your sister-in-law and your mother-in-law are lucky to have you and your husband on their team. It is always a tough situation when you have two people with severe mental illness living in the same household. When they are well controlled it works fine usually but as soon as one starts to decompensate it triggers the other one and things snowball, which I'm sure you're aware of. Of course their struggles affect you because you're so involved. I think it's great that you're involved with NAMI and you're attending the support groups. You do have to remain cognizant of protecting your relationship with your husband. You guys can't get so wrapped up that you forget about taking care of yourselves. Hopefully things level out eventually. Vent here all you want!!!!