how long do you give med changes to work?

Hi I am newly dx and I know in my mind that meds take time, but my heart says these are just making me feel worse I shouldn't take them. I already called the pdoc once, and he just downsized things, but I feel crazier now than when I started.

When I was first diagnosed, it took me about 2 months to adjust to the meds. It really is a shock to your system when you first start taking them- so be patient and kind to yourself in the meantime.

Give time but also listen to your body. I had a med send me over the edge once. I kept telling my now former pdoc something was wrong and he kept saying give it time. It ended badly.
That was when i was new to this and it taught me a big lesson. I got a new pdoc and i always trust myself first

for my AAPs I give it 4 to 6 weeks. What kinda meds?

Dependant on the med, it can take 4-8 weeks for your body to adjust to meds. I know in the beginning, especially with APs, they kicked my butt. Seroquel laid me out when I took it and haldol too a while to get used to as well.

I know how you feel. Whenever I take a new medication I want it to work immediately. The truth is, it can take months. I am taking a new medication and my psychiatrist said it could take up to 2 months. It sucks to have to wait so long and try to figure out if the med is even working or not. Bottom line is, you know your body and mind better than anyone, so if you think it is making you feel worse then you need to talk to your doc and make a decision. Don't worry, there are lots of meds out there to try.

Good luck!

Relax! Taking meds for the first time and not knowing what to expect can make ones anxiety peak! I've been there and done that as most of us have.

What meds are you taking and are concerned about? What are your symptoms? How long have you been taking them?

Not all meds are absorbed at the same rate into the body. Some meds needs to build up slowly in the blood stream before it begins doing its job. Some are so hard that they have to be introduced in small amounts.

Telling us your cocktail (med combo) can give us some clue as to what we're talking about. I hope things get better for you and I hope to hear from you soon! Keep us posted

It depends on the medication. Lithium worked the quickest for me. I think it took a few weeks and I felt a lot calmer. AD kicked in within a couple of weeks, but I took it after the lithium had started. I think some AAP's show up within 24-48 hours which is why they're often given to people IP and in crisis.

It varies wildy from person to person and med to med. You need to constantly monitor yourself and make adjustments.

How are you doing ?

I have experienced it both ways. I had one medication that worked immediately for me and another that took weeks. I definitely think it varies from med to med and person to person.

Stabilizers and AD takes a build up while AP are immediate.

Better. I was originally on effexor and wellbutrin for depression. The wellbutrin sent me into a hypo manic state that led the t doc, dr. and pdoc. to bipolar. The t doc took away the welbutrin lowered the effexor and putt me on seraquiel and depekote. The hardest part is I am tired all the time, And it makes me a scatterbrained at work. That scares me because I work in dialysis. I called the pdoc 3 times and so far he cut the depekot and welbutrin, now he has taken away the serequel. I am also struggling with the shock and depression of it all.