Really discouraged over bipolar relapse

I've doing so good on prozac and lamictal for the past month and a half. i'm on the maximum of both and they just seem to have stopped working. It's so disheartening and I'm scared to death I'm never again going to be as good as i have been. Im losing my will, smile, becoming more aggressive, crying more feeling hopeless and all the other textbook signs. The counselors just keep saying ride it out, you'll get through it, but i dont think i can. I'm miserable and I hate this, Im so tired of it, its been my whole life literally. I dont remember ever being normal and i just want to stand up and scream THATS ENOUGH. If medication is only going to tease me then I don't want it. Futher more I really want to put away an entire bottle of wine, i've abstained for the past 6 weeks but the urge grows more and more every night, and I know that night where I wont be able to say no is coming. I'm scared of that too because I know what little bit the medication is working its going to completely negate and I'll essentially be starting from scratch. I'm just tired. does anyone have any tips on how to get through a relapse? Thanks

hi nice person

your body has adapted to the chemicals .........this is a good thing and a bad thing it means u will keep doing this with every med until u find a combo that your system does not adjust to completely

as for how to deal with it i have gone the natural route do to this factor in myself
St. John's wort: MedlinePlus Supplements
u can find that in any cvs/drug store in your area ..........do not look at me why it does not have the same adaption factor as man made chemicals ........6 years same dose

the other thing i use is CBD oil or weed high in cbds .........but unless u are in a medical state or area not saying do that .........the CBD oil is 100% legal it has no thc in it ........it has several effects but stoned is not not one of them ......infact CBD counters THC
Cannabidiol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It's such a bugger that we experiences relapses. It's a bit like a pendulum swinging back and forth to and fro in any direction.

And when we start to think we're okay bam out of nowhere an episode can rear its ugly head like a big fat pimple.

None of us want to swing into a downward spiral. In spite of what you feel, continue with the meds. You could get a lot lower if you stop taking them. Don't hit rock bottom where you want to hit the stop button.

Continue to surround yourself with your medical support team. Let them help you, even if you seem to think its not helping right now, you are doing something positive!

About the alcohol. Okay I'll admit from what I've read oh hell yeah it seems like a tempting option right now. But you know the answer. You've subconsciously answered it already.

Try to do ONE thing for yourself each day. Where it's just time for you. You'll get into a rhythm after a while - even if you just don't even feel like starting it to begin with. Think about what activities would you be doing if you weren't crawled up in bed miserable? Watch a film? Use aromatherapy? Light some candles? Have a bubble bath? Read a magazine? Whatever floats your boat.

But the important thing is to remember that you need to take care of yourself right now, both physically and mentally.

Do you journal to get rid of all your thoughts? I've found that helpful before.

Be well.

I can relate to everything you wrote. I don't have the answers, but know you aren't alone. In a depressive episode, the pDoc should consider changing your AD if you've maxed out on prozac. Have you spoken with him/her? This happened to me after years on Prozac and a switch to Zoloft helped.

I'm so sorry. I don't know why your counselor would tell you to ride it out. It sounds like you need to change AD (as others have said). Stay on the lamictal, though, since that took so long for you to get to a therapeutic dose (or are you at a therapeutic dose? That's something to look at). This is the worst...having to play guessing game with the meds when you thought you'd had it figured it out, but it often takes several tries to get it right.

Hi Christina-- I'm sorry you're going through this. One good thing you've already done is reach out on this forum.

First your conselor's totally wrong. Get ahold of your pdoc ASAP and let them know what's going on. Different combinations of meds work differently for different people, and it's kind of a crap shoot finding the right combo. I was on Wellbutrin and lamotrigine, and it wasn't doing it. Then I added in Abilify, and it made all the difference in the world.

A second thing I'd suggest may sound odd, but it really helps. Find something to laugh about every day. Whether it's a sitcom, a movie, a silly clip on the internet-- it doesn't matter, so long as it makes you laugh.

Thirdly, try to take even a short walk every day. Even if it's only 5 or 10 minutes, walking is another one of those things that can help make a difference.

Meanwhile I'm sending you good energy. Please keep posting and let us know how you're doing.

This is the best advice on the thread by far.

Unfortunately we do relapse, the earlier that we can catch and cope with it the better, so now is the best time to be throwing all your coping skills at it to try and get through. Self nurture is just one of these. You could also look at your diet and exercise regime, hobbies/enjoyable activities, using CBT before your thoughts get out of control (journalling is great), meditation/relaxation, mindfulness, use your PRN medication when needed.
See if you can dig your way out before calling for the tractor. Goodluck.

Relapses suck. I had one recently that landed me in the hospital for the first time, but I learned a lot from it---namely, that they WILL happen again and I have to be prepared for that eventuality. But in the meantime, I can make use of my well periods by doing what I'm able to do during those times, and always sticking with my meds and therapy. If they stop working, I need to call my pdoc right away, not wait until I've lost my marbles and am spinning out of control. And I have to stay sober, not just because booze and psych meds do not mix, but because I have a problem with it and cravings for it can lead to a different kind of relapse.

Wishing you the very best in getting the bipolar beast under control.

Thank you all for you responces, I'm sponging up all the wonderful advice. I'm highly pissed at the moment because I spoke with my doctor on monday, she talked about adding multiple meds but wanted to touch base in a few days before doing so. Then she went on vacation before touching base or calling anything in. She has someone standing in for her but this person doesnt know me or my history. I realize it's all in the notes, but it still makes me really nervose. I'm terrified I'm close to being an emotional wreck, I've cried more in the passed week than I have all year put together.

I can relate to everything you have written and am so sorry you are going through it all. I've gone through the same thing and it's really hard. Finding those medication combinations that work for you and your body is hard to do. Just stay in close contact with your doctor and support system. I hope you feel better soon

That is awful that your doctor promised to touch base with you then went on holidays instead. Maybe the fill in pdoc will be better...it is worth a try. You are in a tough place and need some support. Do you also have a therapist? Perhaps you should see this new pdoc as he/she may be very helpful. Take care.

Hope you start feeling better soon Christina I can so relate to what you are going thru.

I think Lamictal does not prevent mood swings as much as it delays them and make them less frequent and severe. Also I think it is known for helping to manage depression than swings into mania. For that matter, I think when you take a mood stabilizer, this does not mean you will not have any mood swings. I think this is why the doctor wants you to ride it through. But I personally do not believe in this approach. If you have a mood swing where it is interfering with your daily functioning, like in your case, I believe a med change is in order. JMVHO

By the way, I think the goal of the pdoc should be remission, not just making the mood swings more manageable.

Thank you so much for all your insight guys, it's helped. The fill in doc uped my lamictal and talked about switching me to latuda. Her explanation made sense to me, Latuda, she said, works better with lamictal because they're the same family I guess?

great post!

Going through a phase myself right now and it is frustrating. You are doing all the right things and just keep reminding yourself of that. You actually have done lots of wonderful things already. You understand what is going on and you know what pitfalls you are trying to avoid. Stay away from the booze no matter what. You have reached out for help to your doctor, and even though you feel abandoned, you continued to reach out for help here. That is HUGE. You are not giving up. Keep reaching! These are all great signs. You have put in place a solid foundation for yourself so that when these depressed times happen (which they do happen), you will survive. Hang in there and know with all your heart that with each day that passes, you have survived one more day and you are one more day toward being happier. Our brain might not always feel that way, but your heart does. That's what really matters.