[Reality_Perfection]

Hi,

About 4 weeks ago I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 Disorder. I am currently on 200mg of Lamictal (100mg in the morning, 100mg at night), 30mg of Cymbalta, 40mg of Strattera, and 2mg of Risperdal. I believe that I have been in a manic state for about 6 weeks, and I'm still manic. Even with these meds it just seems to not want to go away. I'm wondering if anybody has experienced this stubborn mania and what you guys might have done to help lower the mania. I just can't stop moving and feeling like I have to be doing something all the time and feeling like I have to talk and I can't stop it! Please, I am sick of suffering from this stuff.

Thanks

[twiddle]

Have you told this to your Pdoc? You may need a higher dose of risperdal or another anti-psychotic to tame the mania.

FWIW be careful with the risperdal as I've had massive weight gain on it. Not everyone does, mind you but just thought you should know.

You may need a lower dose of anti-depressant too. I had a horrible time finding the right anti-depressant that didn't make me manic.

I am not a doctor though and it's really important to discuss this w/your Pdoc asap. Being you are newly diagnosed it may take a while to find the right combo of meds and doses.

Hang in there, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[hamster-bamster]

I agree: the obvious step is to up the Risperdal weighing yourself at least once a week.

[Reality_Perfection]

Originally Posted by twiddle

Have you told this to your Pdoc? You may need a higher dose of risperdal or another anti-psychotic to tame the mania.

FWIW be careful with the risperdal as I've had massive weight gain on it. Not everyone does, mind you but just thought you should know.

You may need a lower dose of anti-depressant too. I had a horrible time finding the right anti-depressant that didn't make me manic.

I am not a doctor though and it's really important to discuss this w/your Pdoc asap. Being you are newly diagnosed it may take a while to find the right combo of meds and doses.

Hang in there, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Yes, I have shared this with my pdoc, but I guess I will have to just wait it out and find the right cocktail for me. I am seeing him again tomorrow, so I will mention it to him again.

Thanks

[Reality_Perfection]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

I agree: the obvious step is to up the Risperdal weighing yourself at least once a week.

Thanks, I will mention this to my pdoc and see what he says.

[hamster-bamster]

I would log the weight on livestrong.com sending yourself emails when you up the dose, so that you can later determine if you have gained weight due to the increase in the dosage. Or, instead of emails, track the dosage increases in a mood tracking application. Basically, have a record of some sort.

[~Christina]

Are you able to sleep ? If not THAT is what you and your doctor need to focus on.

[Odee]

Probably lower the AD. Lamictal is also not a great anti-manic mood stabilizer.

[Reality_Perfection]

Originally Posted by morethingswrong

Are you able to sleep ? If not THAT is what you and your doctor need to focus on.

Yes, I am able to sleep, but I was just put on Depakote, so let's hope that works.

[Reality_Perfection]

Originally Posted by Odee

Probably lower the AD. Lamictal is also not a great anti-manic mood stabilizer.

I know, that's what I've been hearing about Lamictal, but as I said above I was just put on Depakote and I hope it works well for me. So far, so good

[hamster-bamster]

As far as mania prevention (maintenance therapy) goes, Lithium is better than Depakote, and Lithium+Depakote together are synergistic (better than each one individually) but also can give more side effects. As far as stopping existing mania, AP's are stronger than MS. Did upping Risperdal help you calm down?

[Cocosurviving]

To prevent mania while I waited on my meds to kick in----I did low key things mediate, walking, listen to smooth jazz and take hot baths.

[Reality_Perfection]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

As far as mania prevention (maintenance therapy) goes, Lithium is better than Depakote, and Lithium+Depakote together are synergistic (better than each one individually) but also can give more side effects. As far as stopping existing mania, AP's are stronger than MS. Did upping Risperdal help you calm down?

Yes, I have been hearing that about Lithium too, but my pdoc is hesitant to put me on that because of the side effects. I guess we'll see. My pdoc has not upped my Risperdal since I've started it, but I think that is helping me some. I know it certainly helps better than the Depakote. I also take it at night because it has made me zombie-like during the day and then I fall asleep, but now I'm starting to not feel that way so maybe my pdoc will out me on it in the morning and at night. I am staring to feel more stable though since I started Depakote. My pdoc has also lowered my Lamictal mg to 100 instead of 200 and only at night.

[hamster-bamster]

I am glad that something at least is helping. Exercise to let off steam would not hurt.

[Reality_Perfection]

Originally Posted by Cocosurviving

To prevent mania while I waited on my meds to kick in----I did low key things mediate, walking, listen to smooth jazz and take hot baths.

That works for me as well. Today, I started feeling manic and I went into my bedroom and did some deep breathing, journaled, tracked my mood, took a warm shower, and listened to some music. All of these helped significantly!

Thanks

[Reality_Perfection]

Just an update,

I think I'm finally starting to get more stabilized (: I'm starting to feel like I can do normal things and have normal relationships with people and my fiance. I am now on 1,000mg of Depakote 2x/day, Lamictal 1x/day at night, Cymbalta 60mg 1x/day in the morning, Strattera 80mg 1x/day in the morning, and Risperdal 2mg 1x/day at night. I think I might have found the right cocktail for me (:

Thanks everyone for your help!

[hamster-bamster]

Congratulations!

[Reality_Perfection]

Thanks! My pdoc upped my dosage of Depakote to 1500mg (once in the morning and twice at nighttime) and took me off of Cymbalta and Strattera. Too many 'antidepressants. Anyways, I was feeling extremely antsy (I've also been diagnosed with ADHD) so yesterday my pdoc prescribed me Adderall XR 20mg once per day. I feel a whole lot less antsy! Hope everyone else is doing well like I am!

[hamster-bamster]

That is great news. If a remember correctly, Depakote and Lamictal interact in such a fashion that upping Depakote requires titrating Lamictal down, but I might be wrong since it has been awhile since I took those two drugs.

[Reality_Perfection]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

That is great news. If a remember correctly, Depakote and Lamictal interact in such a fashion that upping Depakote requires titrating Lamictal down, but I might be wrong since it has been awhile since I took those two drugs.

Yeah when I was on Depakote (my pdoc took my off of it because it started to make me feel lethargic and unmotivated) I eventually stopped lamictal. I am now back on it though. Now, I'm dealing with depression that won't go away.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Reality_Perfection

Thanks! My pdoc upped my dosage of Depakote to 1500mg (once in the morning and twice at nighttime) and took me off of Cymbalta and Strattera. Too many 'antidepressants. Anyways, I was feeling extremely antsy (I've also been diagnosed with ADHD) so yesterday my pdoc prescribed me Adderall XR 20mg once per day. I feel a whole lot less antsy! Hope everyone else is doing well like I am!

In general, Depakote is sedating, so is usually taken at night (all at once). However, since you are on Adderall, too, maybe you need Depakote in the morning...

[Reality_Perfection]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

In general, Depakote is sedating, so is usually taken at night (all at once). However, since you are on Adderall, too, maybe you need Depakote in the morning...

Hey!

I actually got off Depakote about a month ago and switched to Lamictal. I'm not feeling too sluggish anymore, but now I think I'm dealing with some depression