[smallwonderer]

I hesitate to mention this here, but I figure I should give it a try (where else?). I was diagnosed bipolar after a manic state and psychosis about two years ago during an inpatient stay at a hospital. During that time they wanted to put me on lithium, but I was resistant so they kept me on zyprexa. At the time of my diagnosis, I was a new faculty member of a major research institution, where I still am employed. The basic pieces of my job - for me - require things that aren't really great for bipolar (a lot of high pressure and stress). I'll skip over that except to say I've never really complied to any of the medication since that time. The excuse I have for not taking antipsychotics is that I'm afraid I won't be able to think straight. Of course, I do know I was manic and also a little psychotic at least once since I got out of inpatient/was diagnosed two years ago. Usually what happens then is I'll take an antipsychotic once or twice until I'm more back to myself. I know that by not medicating all this time I've made an irresponsible choice, that mania itself could be damaging my brain just as much, and that it's possible with good medication that other parts of my life would be easier enough that a little less clear cognition might not matter.

So, my question as a first step would be - what medications have you found to work well to keep a clear head?

[ComfortablyNumb5]

I've been on and off seroquel for several years and never felt cloudy. I've been on high doses and low. I think having an AP in your cocktail is good. Although lithium made me stable it did leave me feeling a bit dumb. I knew a girl that was on it for awhile and she could barely hold a convo or pay attention to a test in class. And when she got off of it, she was a whole different person. However she got severe toxicity so maybe that's why she was like that. My PRN benzo often makes me out of it so I try not to take it at work unless I'm having a really bad day with anxiety. However meds work differently from person to person. What makes you zombie like might wake others up. It's all a trial and error but I understand that if your job comes with a lot of responsibility then you really can't afford to be a guinea pig! That's probably why I'm trying hard not to add or change my meds at the moment.

Trileptal 600mg BID
Buspar 45mg
Seroquel 150-300mg for sleep
Ativan 1mg PRN
Vyvanse 70mg
Risperdal 4-6mg PRN

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[Row Jimmy]

I take 1200 mg of lithium a day and it seems to work well for me. In fact, it has cleared my head more than it has clouded it. It sort of allows me to see the mania coming and it definitely helps the BP.

As for work, it hasn't really affected me as far as I can tell. My side effects are hand tremors and being thirsty all the time.

[~Christina]

Meds effect everyone differently .

Lithium made me dumber than a stump, Seroquel after a couple weeks a non stop eating Zombie. Etc etc .. I could go on and list them all. But for me any AP's and AAP's blunted me either right away or a few months into them. I got pretty tired of not being able to spell the word " what "

What coping skills are you using to help manage your Bipolar?

Meds certainly help most everyone... But managing Bipolar is really hitting it from all sides..

Meds ( if you choose) Diet, Exercise cardio and Yoga, Meditation, breathing exercises, good sleep hygiene, Mindfulness, Learning to self ground, identify any triggers you might have. You can never learn too many coping skills

Also if you haven't had a physical with blood work done recently you should Thyroid and hormonal issues can really cause big problems for people with Bipolar.

Best advise is throw every coping skill at it until something sticks.

Good luck

[Victoria'smom]

Abilify for me.

[optimistic_dolphin]

I don't comply to med most of the time. But I hv been on seroquel which help my sleep n mood n psychosis quite a bit. Epilim is another one which I find without much side effect except sedation. Olanzapine I was on too, I don't like it coz it has huge weight gain as side effect n I am only on it when I am in extremely bad state like depression or mania n esp psychosis

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[BastetsMuse]

Originally Posted by smallwonderer

So, my question as a first step would be - what medications have you found to work well to keep a clear head?

I take Geodon as a mood stabilizer. I've been bipolar for over twenty years and it's the medication that works best for me, in combination with Brintellix as an antidepressant. Mind is clear, no major side effects.

I've said before that I feel like taking my meds has caused me to lose 10 - 20 IQ points. My ability to problem solve and do the most basic of math equations was the most noticable impairment.

However, at my therapists suggestion, I have been able to improve upon my thinking and make up some of the ground that I lost. I have been downloading and completling math worksheets - starting with the most basic and working my way back up to some advanced algebra. At the same time I do a little work with crosswords and sudoku everyday.

I may not be able to do this as timely as I once would have, but there HAS been a noticable improvement in my ability to think on my feet and problem solve.

[jacky8807]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Abilify for me.

Definitely me too

[Christopher1990]

lamictal has never clogged my thinking

[Imah]

I like Trileptal (oxcarbazepine). I didn't like seroquel, (lamictal) lamotrigine.

[raspberrytorte]

Lamictal doesn't cloud my thinking either. Neither does seroquel or buspirone. Buspirone actually makes me feel sharper but that's an anxiety med.

[gina_re]

I think Trileptal was great to. But when you add other meds to the cocktail, it really is a delicate balance. 400mg of something may be too much, but 300 or 350mg may be fine. Everyone reacts differently, so I don't think this can be answered with any certainty.

[seoultous]

I am clear headed and I take lamicatal and abilify.

[moremi]

I am on triliptal and geodon and topomax. Worked great for me for a very long time now

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[moremi]

And no weight gain

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[moremi]

I've actually lost quite a bit of weight

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