[annmaria]

Hi All

I have been going through depression for months, I am on meds for the first time. I am been treated for BP1 with lamictal and risperdal and started to feel improvement.

What I am worried about is that I spent the whole day cleaning. I haven't had the energy for months to do much of anything. Only a few days ago I was having suicidal ideations not as constant as before. I feel my energy levels are up but not sure if my mood is elevated.

I am feeling a little worried as last time I had mania I was hospitalized for 5 weeks. I lacked insight as i refused to believe anything was wrong with me and wouldn't agree to hospitalization. So I was committed against my will.

When I was discharged from hospital I was still manic, after a number of weeks at home. I crashed and went into a depression state.

Could I now go back to a manic state and can it come on so quickly? I might be worrying about nothing maybe the meds are doing what they suppose to. I was hoping that I would now enter a "normal" mood and start rebuilding my life.

Thanks

Annmaria

[Icare dixit]

What risperidone dose are you on? Maybe it can be increased (maybe to 10 mg) to make sure you have a more objective perspective with regard to your mood or it's at least gonna be less damaging if you do get manic (as in really losing it) and it will also help to stabilise you.

[Victoria'smom]

You can become manic whenever but if you're feeling better I'd try not to stress.

[annmaria]

Originally Posted by Icare dixit

What risperidone dose are you on? Maybe it can be increased (maybe to 10 mg) to make sure you have more objective perspective with regard to your mood or it's at least gonna be less damaging and it will also help to stabilise you.

I am on a low dosage of risperidone 1.5mg, its been increased slowly because I am very sensitive to side effects. I have been taking it for about a month, I have just started lamictal 25mg since last tuesday.

I had side effects from Seroquel, Abilify and olanzapine had to stop them. Was on seroquel (insomnia) for over a month but stopped taper off the withdrawals were terrible. Abilify (no bladder control) and olanzapine (swollen throat affecting my breathing).

[annmaria]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

You can become manic whenever but if you're feeling better I'd try not to stress.

Thanks Miguel will try not to stress, am hoping that I am just doing that. I also have a son dx ASD and ADHD. How old is your son?

Annmaria

[Icare dixit]

Originally Posted by annmaria

I am on a low dosage of risperidone 1.5mg, its been increased slowly because I am very sensitive to side effects. I have been taking it for about a month, I have just started lamictal 25mg since last tuesday.

I had side effects from Seroquel, Abilify and olanzapine had to stop them. Was on seroquel (insomnia) for over a month but stopped taper off the withdrawals were terrible. Abilify (no bladder control) and olanzapine (swollen throat affecting my breathing).

Maybe ask for it to be increased just a little bit further. If there are really indications you might become manic.

Lamotrigine can at first cause mania, but generally only at a dosage of 100 mg daily, maybe 75, any lower dosage may have a slight effect though, and shorter than you may ever have experienced. It will probably stabilise you soon after. May be just a few days.

Hope you don't get any side-effects from either.

[eeyore1234]

When I started Lamictal 25mg (Lamotrigine) I felt like my depression disapered overnight. After 4 days I think, I woke up feeling happy (content/normal) and I had energy that I had not felt for several months.
I was concerned I was getting into hypomania, I was unsure if what I felt was "normal mood" or "hypo mood". I think it was normal...
Unfortunately it was gone as quickly as it came. After 4,5 days I switched back into depression. It cycled like this two times and then a full week with only depression. I've had 2 weeks with 25 mg and 1,5 week with 50 mg untill now.
The meds can take some time to work and doesn't work fully before reaching a certain dose. I hate it, really! I'm tired of waiting!

Wishing you the best!

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[annmaria]

Originally Posted by Icare dixit

Maybe ask for it to be increased just a little bit further. If there are really indications you might become manic.

Lamotrigine can at first cause mania, but generally only at a dosage of 100 mg daily, maybe 75, any lower dosage may have a slight effect though, and shorter than you may ever have experienced. It will probably stabilise you soon after. May be just a few days.

Hope you don't get any side-effects from either.

Lamotrigine will go up slowly also, not sure if pdoc will put up risperdal but I will ask. I have appt tomorrow with mental health nurse will discuss it with her. I hope no side effects! Thanks for your input and replies.

It's possible to be manic and not need hospitalization. It's depends of course on how manic you are. Are you speaking quickly? Are you getting less sleep but feel energized? If you are worried, please talk with your doctor about it. They can increase your meds to help bring you down a bit. Perhaps you are just feeling good right now and that is okay. Sometimes I go on a cleaning frenzy, even when stable. Please take good care of yourself. I'm sorry for your past hospitalization. (((Hugs)))

[BeyondtheRainbow]

10 mg is a HUGE dose. 6 mg is the max approved for bipolar and while I know sometimes drugs are used past the approved dose (and schizophrenia is approved for 16 mg) 10 mg would be an unlikely dose.

I think that it is really hard to learn when you have changed from low to high but the best approach is to assume it is good with caution and make someone you trust aware that you may need monitoring (do you have a therapist?) while you figure out if this is mania or improvement. It's hard. From what you describe I'd say congratulations but it's obviously hard to know from a distance.

Originally Posted by Icare dixit

What risperidone dose are you on? Maybe it can be increased (maybe to 10 mg) to make sure you have a more objective perspective with regard to your mood or it's at least gonna be less damaging if you do get manic (as in really losing it) and it will also help to stabilise you.

I was on 6mg of Risperidone and remained manic for weeks after the increase to that dose.

[cincidak]

It could be just you are feeling better and have more energy. As someone else asked, are you speaking quickly, almost feel forced to speak? Are you more irritable? Are you impulsive? If you are worried discuss it with your doctor. Good luck to you

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[Icare dixit]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

10 mg is a HUGE dose. 6 mg is the max approved for bipolar and while I know sometimes drugs are used past the approved dose (and schizophrenia is approved for 16 mg) 10 mg would be an unlikely dose.

I think that it is really hard to learn when you have changed from low to high but the best approach is to assume it is good with caution and make someone you trust aware that you may need monitoring (do you have a therapist?) while you figure out if this is mania or improvement. It's hard. From what you describe I'd say congratulations but it's obviously hard to know from a distance.

It's a high dose, the highest therapeutic dose, but you can only tell whether you need it if you take it. But maybe for "just" BP-I it's a bit much. A clinician might now if your worry or response to mania is in any way delusional. It allows you to feel more in control. During mania 10 mg wouldn't be that much. But it might not be needed for maintenance.

Unless you're in a mixed state, it's difficult to know how much you can gain from it.

[annmaria]

Hi All

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement, I value your experience and tips. I didn't sleep great last night, today feeling tired and a little down. So maybe meds working yesterday allowed me to get motivated for the day. I am glad I did got housework done was needed.

I will keep a eye out for tell tale signs and hopefully all will go good. I have appt with pdoc on 30 may and the lamictal will go up to 50mg. I think the risperdal will stay the same 1.5mg. My sleeping has not been great also so maybe that is affecting my mood.

Thanks

Annmaria