[away]

I was going to post regular hobby forum about this almost but I just really don't think those people will any insight.

The short version is I've been trying to get help for the past 10 years. I was diagnosed bipolar about five or six years ago I think. I've been taking the medication for years and it hasn't been working. I currently take Nardil and Lithium but it isn't just me saying it my family agrees I'm not any better. Is it time to make a change? I'm just so tried if this keeps happening I don't know.The flips in mood it's too much. I get badly deadly depressed for no reasons for months. I'm losing my life, I do occasionally get manic (years) briefly but I tend to be more of a depressive good moods are rare. I feel ok now for the first time in months well enough to write but what happens when I get depressed again? This needs to stop.

Questions: Should I try different medications? Try find different psychiatrist as he hasn't helped me in the 5 or more years I've seen him?

Thank you

[Victoria'smom]

How honest have you been with pdoc? If you and your family have been honest I would suggest a new pdoc and meds.

[Anika.]

What other things are you doing for your wellness outside of meds? The meds might indeed need to be changed or the pdoc. But often it really seems like other changes we make might offer more sustainable stability.

Hello, Away,

In my view, it would be helpful if you asked your psychiatrist about the use of
a relatively new finding regarding folate (it's the form of Vitamin B9--folic acid--that can cross the blood-brain barrier and is very helpful for some in bringing depression into remission and even alleviating the bipolar condition. It's a form of concentrated folate called Deplin (tradename).

The inability to utilize folate by the brain is often found only by genetic testing, but my psychiatrist prescribed Deplin based on the knowledge that if it worked after three weeks or so, no genetic testing needs to be done. In addition, it's a form of a vitamin so there are really no serious side effects that I know about. (Of course, all meds have side effects; I'm sure you've known that for years, just based on your experience.)

The science behind Deplin is that some of us are born lacking the enzymes necessary to transform folic acid (vitamin B9) into folate which can cross the blood-brain barrier and is very helpful in relieving depression for those who have that genetic error. It is important in brain health.

Since it is a "food med" I don't think there are serious side effects. It also
enhances the effectiveness of Lithium. I use Deplin (began with 7.5 mg and increased to 15 mg. Many take 30 mg. It's a really big help for me.)

Secondly, psychiatric journals now are encouraging the use of the Omega 3 fatty acids (which our systems can't manufacture) and it seems to be very effective, as well, in improving the mental state in depression. In fact, it works in both depression and mania, I've read. I use it and that has been the second greatest help for me.

Bear in mind, please, that not everyone responds the same way to a medication.
It may work for you--it might not. Only use of it will tell you the truth of that.

I hope you will talk to your psychiatrist about it and that he will be willing to co-operate with you in adding a prescription for Deplin and recommending the use
of Omega 3 fatty acids. If he doesn't, I'd almost be tempted to seek help from
another psychiatrist. That's just how helpful these two things have been for me;
it might work for you, too. I hope so.

Best wishes to you.

[away]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

How honest have you been with pdoc? If you and your family have been honest I would suggest a new pdoc and meds.

He has seen me for years and my basic mood has been depressed I'd say so that's what he sees with me. I'll ramble about nothing lack of eye contact etc... Although on my part I'm not massively complaining of issues either. His drastic past solution was ECT. The ECT was not very effective. He has tried cognitive behavioral therapy which is massively ineffective with me. His entire discipline is based on CBT.

Originally Posted by Anika.

What other things are you doing for your wellness outside of meds? The meds might indeed need to be changed or the pdoc. But often it really seems like other changes we make might offer more sustainable stability.

Socially nada. However I do have goals I'm working towards. In general I have an anxiety problem which like everything is profoundly influenced by mood.

Originally Posted by genetic

Hello, Away,

In my view, it would be helpful if you asked your psychiatrist about the use of
a relatively new finding regarding folate (it's the form of Vitamin B9--folic acid--that can cross the blood-brain barrier and is very helpful for some in bringing depression into remission and even alleviating the bipolar condition. It's a form of concentrated folate called Deplin (tradename).

Definitely going to mention that one. I'd tried so many medications I don't see the harm in hoping. There's Omega-3 at home I've never taken it but I wasn't aware it could have some helpful effects either. Thanks.

Again my psychiatrist is a geriatric one does that make much difference vs a another type of psychiatrist? I mean with normal doctors if you have say a heart problem you see a heart specialist and if you have a stomach problem you see a gastrointestinal doctor. Is it same the psychiatrists?

Anyway it's just tiring, fighting to live.