[JAB1984]

Hi,

I am new to the forum and this is my first post ever, here or anywhere else. I am writing this because I am very concerned about my girlfriend. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and started taking medication about a year ago (we met 6 months ago). She is on Quetiapine 100mg and Sertraline (not sure on the dosage). The Quetiapine usually made her very sleep right after taking it and the drowsiness would continue in the morning, even after 8 hours of sleep. In the last month she started noticing that she wasn’t getting as sleepy, and in the last 2 weeks she even has had trouble falling asleep after taking her medication.

She is currently going through a relapse (I’m sorry if that or any other term I’ve used is incorrect, English is not my first language) and last weekend she tried to commit suicide. The trigger was the frustration of being back to where she started (she noticed she was going through a manic episode) even though she has been fully compliant with her medication. She tells me that even if her doctor adjusts her dosage or changes her treatment, this will happen again and again. That “there is no point” because she will never get better, everything she does to improve her condition will be temporary at best. Is it true that bipolar disorder medication works initially but eventually the dosage has to be increased or the treatment has to be changed? If so, what happens when the dosage is too high to be increased or there is no new medication/treatment left?

Thanks for reading.

Regards,

JAB1984

[dragonfly2]

First, let me say that your girlfriend is very fortunate to have you by her side. You seem very supportive and that is exactly what she needs right now.

I'm sorry to hear she is struggling. Unfortunately, it is something that many, if not most of us go through. A medication will work for a while and then the dosage will need to be adjusted or a new med added. Sometimes the medication will stop working and a new med will need to be tried. It is the nature of the disorder. That being said, many times it's just a matter of trial and error, and getting on the right medication mix can make all the difference in the world and can be effective for a very long time. There may certainly be breakthrough episodes however. It is an illness that can be managed, but not cured.

Things are more promising for us now than ever, though. There are so many new medications available now than there were even five or ten years ago and more and more research is being done on how to best manage the illness with both medication and lifestyle adjustments. I can certainly sympathize with your girlfriend - it is very frustrating and can seem like a hopeless situation sometimes. But keep encouraging her to try new things and to trust her psychiatrist if she has a good relationship with him/her. It can take a long time to find that right mix of medication and lifestyle adjustment. And just when it seems like you've exhausted all options, something else comes along to try. It sounds like she's very early on in managing her bipolar and she still has lots of options available to her. Hopefully once her meds are changed/adjusted and she begins to feel better, she will feel more hopeful about the situation. There are non-medication options to consider as well like ECT, Vagus nerve stimulation, Transcranial magnetic stimulation, etc.

I hope she feels better soon.

[~Christina]

Medications can always be upped and changed and it's rare anyone can stay on the same medications for years. Some people can manage without medications. Anything is possible.

There are things she can do to help her stability... Learn "triggers" , Coping skills , Meditation, Mindfulness, Self grounding, exercise , diet.

Bipolar comes and goes in cycles but the above things can be used daily that may help her severity come down and even out some.

Does she see a Therapist on a regular basis?