[sdguy123]

I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder a few months ago. I've been taking Abilify for two and a half months and Propranolol for just over one to deal with the akathisia. I've plateaued on the Abilify once -- things got really bad, started feeling down again, etc. Then my dose was increased and things started to get better again. Now, two and a half months in, I'm going through the same thing, except it feels a LOT worse this time. I'm extremely anxious too, which is new (not sure if that's from the propranolol or Abilify).

I just moved and am waiting to get a new doctor, so I can't do anything yet. I'm wondering if this is just another plateau or if different meds might be in order. I'm curious as to how many times other folks hit plateaus on meds before they start working consistently? I realize it's different for everyone, just curious to hear others' experiences. Any tips on how to deal with all of this until finding a new doc would be helpful too. Thanks all.

[BipolaRNurse]

I didn't get fully straightened out until Zyprexa was added to my regimen as a regular med (not PRN), and that was just over 3 months ago. Before that, I must've had two dozen med adjustments and always needed more medication; I'd stabilize for a month or two and then be back to square one (or so it seemed). Now that the Vitamin Z is on board, I've been in good shape ever since I went on the 5 mg dose.

I am now trying to wean myself down with my pdoc's OK, but only by 1.25 mg and I won't cut down any more till I see him in August. Eventually I hope to come off it entirely, but I'm not holding my breath.....I think he plans to keep me on a small dose indefinitely because I do so much better on it than off of it.

[sdguy123]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

I didn't get fully straightened out until Zyprexa was added to my regimen as a regular med (not PRN), and that was just over 3 months ago. Before that, I must've had two dozen med adjustments and always needed more medication; I'd stabilize for a month or two and then be back to square one (or so it seemed).

This is exactly what I'm terrified of -- that it's going to take a super long time to truly feel stable (and consistently so). I understand that's to be expected and I wouldn't worry so much about it except for the fact that I am returning to college in the Fall and I'm worried that I won't be stable enough to handle it. I already dropped out once a few years ago when my bipolar disorder was just checking in.

[r010159]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

I didn't get fully straightened out until Zyprexa was added to my regimen as a regular med (not PRN), and that was just over 3 months ago. Before that, I must've had two dozen med adjustments and always needed more medication; I'd stabilize for a month or two and then be back to square one (or so it seemed). Now that the Vitamin Z is on board, I've been in good shape ever since I went on the 5 mg dose.

[some deleted]

This is what happened to me. I would plateau on Fluoxetine every time it was increased. Olanzapine did the trick.