[ddizzy]

New here,

I suffer from bipolar disorder II. I was recently put on Lithium, been on them for about 4 weeks. It seems to have increased the voices I'm hearing, I've told my psych about it but she said that it takes some time to take affect. Is that true? I don't know.

I'm also having so much relationship problems with my girlfriend. Sometimes I wish she could understand better about how sick I am. I don't have close friends so shes all I have. I'm getting more suicidal then ever, tried hot lines and tried opening up but nothing seems to help.

[Ryask]

I'm so sorry your having a hard time. It does take time for meds to reach the therapeutic levels and i know it can be frustrating. Try your best to give it a bit more time then maybe adding something else or trying something new may be an option. Maybe you could encourage your GF to read a book or do some research about bi-polar, at the top of this site there is a reading list of books about bi-polar some are meant for partners, spouses , or family members to read about how to help someone with bi-polar. I'm glad you told your pdoc about the voices getting worse but did you discuss the worsening suicidal thoughts? If things get to be too much you can take yourself to the emergency room.
Stay safe
tina

[BlackPup]

Welcome to PC. Sorry that things are not going well at the moment. It can take some time for most psych drugs to work fully so try to hold on. Will be thinking of you and wishing you well.

[SunAngel]

Welcome to PC.

It really does take a while for meds to work, so if you can, wait it out. If you cannot and are having suicidal thoughts, please go to the ER.

[Tsunamisurfer]

Originally Posted by ddizzy

I suffer from bipolar disorder II. I was recently put on Lithium, been on them for about 4 weeks. It seems to have increased the voices I'm hearing,

Hi ddizzy. Lithium does take time to build up to a therapeutic dose, and what works for you may be different compared to other people.
My understanding of the benefit of lithium on "hearing voices" is that it holds back mania and depression and thereby any psychoses that are the result of those episodes.
For Bipolar II, if it keeps you out of depressive psychosis, it should help your voices.

If you are hearing voices during normal mood or mania, you may need something other than lithium to help you, and your BPII diagnosis may deserve a closer look.

[Anneinside]

Lithium, while it helps with mood problems, is not an antipsychotic. it will not increase or decrease voices from psychosis. Please talk to your pdoc again about getting an antipsychotic. Meanwhile, if it gets too bad then go to the ER for help.

[ddizzy]

Thank you everyone for the support and advice. Today does seem to be a little better then yesterday. I have talked and scheduled a appointment with my psych. I did tell her about the voices, now I just have to wait till Thursday. I'm thankful for this site.

[OneDown]

Hi ddizzy,
I'm in the same boat - Type II, psychotic symptoms, including a voice that REALLY wants me to hurt myself. I hope all goes well during your PDoc visit. I'm on abilify for my psychosis and its really helped, but your PDoc will prescribe what they feel is best based on what you tell them is going on - don't be afraid to be brutally honest with your PDoc, they won't know whats going on unless you tell them!

[ddizzy]

Originally Posted by OneDown

Hi ddizzy,
I'm in the same boat - Type II, psychotic symptoms, including a voice that REALLY wants me to hurt myself. I hope all goes well during your PDoc visit. I'm on abilify for my psychosis and its really helped, but your PDoc will prescribe what they feel is best based on what you tell them is going on - don't be afraid to be brutally honest with your PDoc, they won't know whats going on unless you tell them!

Thank you, and yes I will be blunt and clear when I go to see her. I need all the help that I can get. It prevents me from being successful as I was before I was diagnosed. I'm not the cheerful guy that made everyone laugh anymore, or that once team player fire fighter I use to be. I can barely get out of bed anymore, I isolate myself, before I use to love being around people and being cheerful. It has taken its toll and I'm to fight back and gain my life back.

I know what you mean, ddizzy. Especially about the voices. Hopefully your meds kick in enough to where you can start forming healthy coping habits & strengthen your relationship with your girlfriend. Chances are, she feels as hopeless to help you as you do. One site I just found yesterday that might help you deal with things aside from medication is livingmanicdepressive.com. I'm trying to implement some of the self-management strategies myself, like monitoring my moods, as well as trying to form venues of communication with my significant other even if I am having a hard time doing so.

[ddizzy]

Originally Posted by Shayatanica

I know what you mean, ddizzy. Especially about the voices. Hopefully your meds kick in enough to where you can start forming healthy coping habits & strengthen your relationship with your girlfriend. Chances are, she feels as hopeless to help you as you do. I'm trying to implement some of the self-management strategies myself, like monitoring my moods, as well as trying to form venues of communication with my significant other even if I am having a hard time doing so.

I agree with you 100% I need healthy ways dealing with my coping skills and relationship with my Gf. I never really took the time to think that she may feel helpless, just the fact I wish she understood more about what I suffer with.

I did check out that website and found it really informational about what I'm seeking to learn and help pick the pieces of my life. This message means a lot to me and has helped a great deal, thank you so much. It makes me have hope.

I only started implementing strategies from there yesterday & it's already done a great deal. I knew about the site when I was on my manic rollercoaster, but didn't get the motivation to look it up until mild depression swung in, so I realized I needed to control myself. I'm already feeling a positive difference.

[kykid]

Originally Posted by ddizzy

New here,

I suffer from bipolar disorder II. I was recently put on Lithium, been on them for about 4 weeks. It seems to have increased the voices I'm hearing, I've told my psych about it but she said that it takes some time to take affect. Is that true? I don't know.

I'm also having so much relationship problems with my girlfriend. Sometimes I wish she could understand better about how sick I am. I don't have close friends so shes all I have. I'm getting more suicidal then ever, tried hot lines and tried opening up but nothing seems to help.

Ddizzy,

It does take time for medication to reach therapeutic levels, but I would have thought that after 4 weeks you would have seen some improvement in your symptoms.

I know when I experienced psychosis and was hearing voices, an anti-psychotic called abilify was added to my lamotrigine and nortriptaline. This seemed to stop the psychosis and moderated my depression and mania. I have never used lithium so I cannot comment on that.

I have been stable for 3+ years now so don't give up. You will eventually find the cocktail that works for you.

[ddizzy]

Originally Posted by kykid

Ddizzy,

It does take time for medication to reach therapeutic levels, but I would have thought that after 4 weeks you would have seen some improvement in your symptoms.

I know when I experienced psychosis and was hearing voices, an anti-psychotic called abilify was added to my lamotrigine and nortriptaline. This seemed to stop the psychosis and moderated my depression and mania. I have never used lithium so I cannot comment on that.

I have been stable for 3+ years now so don't give up. You will eventually find the cocktail that works for you.

I've heard and read great reviews about abilify. I see my psych on Thursday, I've been ok for now keeping positive and just can't wait to go in for my appointment.

Thank you for your message.

[osiris33x]

Originally Posted by OneDown

Hi ddizzy,
I'm in the same boat - Type II, psychotic symptoms, including a voice that REALLY wants me to hurt myself. I hope all goes well during your PDoc visit. I'm on abilify for my psychosis and its really helped, but your PDoc will prescribe what they feel is best based on what you tell them is going on - don't be afraid to be brutally honest with your PDoc, they won't know whats going on unless you tell them!

I have the same problem. I'm curious how loud/clear you hear your voice(s), are they male or female? What sort of things do they say to you?

I hope you don't mind me asking. I'm trying to find people with similar issues to get a better idea of how to cope with it.

Thanks!

~ Roger

[~Christina]

This is an old thread so I don't know if the OP will respond .

My Hallucinations are visual and audible, For the most part I am use to them I know they are not real, If I start to question them.. that is when I do a lot of self grounding if I am still questioning that is when I take my prn (asneeded) AP for a few days and it brings things back to "my" normal.

I choose not to take an AP daily.

Hope that helps and welcome to PC ! It's a great place