[ozzy1313]

I've had depresssion all my life and have been on various AD. The reason I finally went to a pdoc a year and a half ago was bc my anger was out of control and I was very difficult to live with. She put me on meds and I was great for about 9 months. I then started having issues, anger, cheating, ups and downs etc. It finally culminated with me almost driving my car into a light pole. So pdoc added more meds and once again I feel fine.

Why would my last episode be worse while ON meds? I did feel much better when I started them, but now when I have swings they seem much worse than before. I don't want to go off them bc I don't want to go back to the constant angry mood, but I am at a loss as to why meds seem to make me worse/and better at the same time.

[venusss]

One theory is brain adjusts to them and tries to compensate for all the chemistry to go to its normal. So you up and up and up the dose, it works until your body adjusts to it. Is it progression of the illness or your body simply adjusting to the meds (and possibly the meds itself complicating the situation).

Sorry, I have no advice. But I think that simply throwing more meds on the problem when you have episode (which means the **** you are on probably is not working at the moment anyways) can be asking for trouble.

[sidney1771]

That is much better answered by your doctor.

[Victoria'smom]

Would you be against withdrawing and starting again in an intensive out patient or a partial hospitalization program?

[Justugh]

the reason is

u have a battle in your brain ..........different sets of chemicals have teamed up and are now playing out on top of your pathways .......the doctor has no idea what will do what on u so it is trail and error (everyone is different all the chemical in the head )

atleast u are aware of it .........this is a good thing
sounds sappy u not not like it but u got to fix some stuff in the head with a talk doctor once u can settle down with cooping tricks the meds will stop acting crazy

quickest way for this is to go to the ER tell them u are in mental crisis they will see u tell the doctor what is going on and u like to be checked in ...........now the holidays freak ppl out all over the place so they might be full ............if this is the case ask the doctor about seroquil (this will kill anger and most other things besides sleep on high dose sleep is all u want) but it will stop the anger part ...........see your normal doctor tell him/her u need talk therapy plus a order for a complete functions and lvl test so he/she can change the dose or remove/add something

if u can look up ZEN detach from the troubles and look at it with a clear head not full of emotions like anger

[~Christina]

Bipolar can and will pop up and smack the hell out of you at times, medicated or not... Thats how Bipolar acts, its cycles. Bodies do tend to adjust to meds over time.

This is a good topic you should discuss with your Pdoc and have a crisis/ backup plan intact if you do start falling off the rails and its after hours or a weekend or when Pdoc is on vacation.

[ozzy1313]

I have a ton of support around me. Pdoc, therapist, husband, parents, brother, and some friends. I have asked pdoc this and the answers seem to be that science just doesn't completely understand the brain. I guess I posted this hoping others would share their stories if they have similar ones.

[Love&Toil]

My pdoc recommended a book discussing Bipolar 2 and/or soft bipolar:
http://www.amazon.com/Depressed-Reco...till+depressed

Throughout the book the author makes mention of the fact that some pdocs believe AD meds may make depression worse in the long run for people with bipolar 2. I can't do the discussion justice or provide a good explanation, I just remember reading it in this book. Lay your hands on it if you can. I saw a used copy on Amazon for $3.00.

[Crazy Hitch]

I'm sorry you experienced this.

I had a horrendous episode middle of last year (med free).

And the worst episode ever this year (on meds) and lost my job.

You are not alone in thinking this.

[Love&Toil]

I also had an uncharacteristic episode while my ADs were higher. Called an old flame in tears declaring feelings. I'm married with 3 kids. Now that my meds are lower I wouldn't dream of doing that. Makes me wonder...

[Trippin2.0]

I've had at least 2 of my worst episodes while medicated, one of them consisted of soul deadening anhedonia, and some pretty bad ones I had off medication as well.


On meds I definitely was more symptomatic though, which is partially why I'm no longer on them. For a combination of reasons meds tend to make me more bipolar.


Meds aren't a cure, they're more like a safety net, a soft landing, because bipolar will continue to bipolar with or without them.