[greywolf2]

I started meds this year for my bipolar and they seem to be helping. I still have highs and lows just not as bad as I did in the past. I also started therapy this year which seems to be going well. I still have days I feel like crying for no reason at all. My family is very supportive but sometimes I still feel lonely and don't know why? It seems this month Ive had more down days than up so I may talk to my doctor and see if I need my medication upped. I'm hoping this helps because I don't like feeling this way.

[Ryask]

Talking to your doctor is an excellent idea. There really is no reason to suffer, especially when something so small like upping a dosage can make it so much better. I had been through this aswell. I was starting to feel that down cycle coming on, and my normal dosage was upped by just 10mg, i immediately started feeling better.

[Amazonmom]

Med tweaking can definitely help you. I am doing a bit of that right now so join me in the med merry go round!!!!!

[PT52]

Which meds are you on? I started on just Lamictal and that caused some serious depression. The doc added Wellbutrin and upped the Lamictal - helped some, but I still had the crying you described. Today he upped the Lamictal again; hopefully that will help.

Hope that you find a balance soon.

[blueoctober]

Welcome greywolf2.

When you say you started medication this year do you mean 2011? If you've just been put on them it does take time for the meds to get to a therapeutic level. Whether you have just started meds or not, I suggest speaking to your pdoc. I find that during the winter months I become more depressed. I use a SAD lamp and that makes a difference for me.

If you're not already I would suggest tracking your mood because it may help you identify triggers etc. I use this online one at: http://www.medhelp.org/land/mood-tracker

[CesarioRose]

Hey there; i too was diagnosed, well officially, this year as well. I was unofficially diagnosed late last year. Even though you may see my post in me stopping, i fully agree with everyone that meds can be very beneficial for a lot of people, and it's worth a shot. If they make you feel better, then good.

Blueoctober posted an excellent idea: mood tracking. Try and keep some kind of mood chart, and i find journaling to be of use, as well.

Be patient in this roller coaster of med experimentation; it isn't an exact science, and what works for some might not work for others.

[greywolf2]

Originally Posted by PT52

Which meds are you on? I started on just Lamictal and that caused some serious depression. The doc added Wellbutrin and upped the Lamictal - helped some, but I still had the crying you described. Today he upped the Lamictal again; hopefully that will help.

Hope that you find a balance soon.

I'm on Lamotrigine for my lows and saphris for my high's. The doc also has me on lorazepam for my anxiety. The doc might raise my lamotrigine when I see her next week.

[greywolf2]

Originally Posted by blueoctober

Welcome greywolf2.

When you say you started medication this year do you mean 2011? If you've just been put on them it does take time for the meds to get to a therapeutic level. Whether you have just started meds or not, I suggest speaking to your pdoc. I find that during the winter months I become more depressed. I use a SAD lamp and that makes a difference for me.

If you're not already I would suggest tracking your mood because it may help you identify triggers etc. I use this online one at: http://www.medhelp.org/land/mood-tracker

Sorry! I was diagnosed late last year while i was being treated for my eating disorder.
What is a SAD lamp I might have to invest in one of those. Thanks for the tips I will definitly track my moods also. I appreciate everyones help it does really make a difference

[PT52]

Originally Posted by greywolf2

I'm on Lamotrigine for my lows and saphris for my high's. The doc also has me on lorazepam for my anxiety. The doc might raise my lamotrigine when I see her next week.

Your med combination could be what's causing your depression..lamotrigine is the generic for Lamictal which is a mood stabilizer but can cause worse depressions. For me, it works well on the high's but caused rock-bottom depression. So if you're increasing the lamotrigine, you might want to ask about adding an anti-depressant. I'm Wellbutrin as well as Lamictal and it seems to be working fairly well.