[Unconventionalones]

I am wondering how any of you have successfully treated the situation of going into mania phase, on what you do to keep mania at bay?

With adhd also, it was recommended to stop taking the concerta, as the stimulant taken away could stop the mania quicker?

Is that possible?

What happens to focus and inpulse control when concerta is gone?

Also take small dose of Lamotrigine, abilifydose, and Chlondine.

I thought the Lamotrigine might be the issue?

Any thoughts? Concerta has been taken for many years, as has abilify and Chlondine.

[Skeezyks]

Hello Unconventionalones: I'm sorry I am not able to answer your questions. However I see this is your first post here on PC. So... welcome to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! I hope you find the time you spend here to be of benefit.

PsychCentral is a great place to get information as well as support for mental health issues. There are many knowledgeable & caring members here. The more you post, & reply to other members’ posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are social groups you can join & chat rooms where you’ll be able to connect with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) Lots of great stuff! So please keep posting!

[Coffeee]

Taking a stimulant like concerta away would help with mania but for specific med qs like that you'd have to ask a pdoc with meds experience as most of us here aren't qualified to say for sure.

[Unconventionalones]

Originally Posted by Coffeee

Taking a stimulant like concerta away would help with mania but for specific med qs like that you'd have to ask a pdoc with meds experience as most of us here aren't qualified to say for sure.

I understand!

Sometimes others have similar experiences though and can say what did or didn't work for them. That can be helpful also, even though it wouldn't be taken as medical advice, per se.

Thank you!

[Unconventionalones]

wondering about how you or others try to get mania to subside?

[Unconventionalones]

Are any of you readers with bipolar also diagnosed with ADHD?

[LacunaCoiler]

I have both bipolar and ADD and what my doc has told me is that with any sort of stimulant you run the risk of inducing a manic episode. When I was on concerta it really didn't do anything for me and Ritalin threw me into a manic episode. Once the doc took me off Ritalin I came back down. So yes, getting off the stimulant helps in controlling the mania.

[Unconventionalones]

Thanks for the reply, "are you suffering."

Good to know the doctor chose to take away the stimulant then.

So, without the stimulant how do you concentrate? With the adhd meds, the benefits of completing tasks, impulse control seem to be. Better in line, but without?

I am asking form our adult son, but in the past without a stimulant med some things like that are so difficult to accomplish, stay organized, neat, etc. if it's ok to ask, is there a non stimulant med that you take that's helpful or recommended?

[jpb4815]

I was kinda diagnosed with ADD before I knew I was Bipolar, I went to the doctor and described what I know now were the symptoms of a manic episode. He gave me Concerta, wow did that ever throw me for a loop. It was deemed that I do not have ADD based on the simple fact that the Concerta sped me up. I still wonder sometimes though, my brain is very much like a television that somebody has sat on the remote to, change...change...change. It gets trying sometimes.

[Wander]

Three weeks ago I was put on Ritalin (Methylphenidate) for ADHD and my pdoc is seeing me every two weeks to monitor me for mania. So far I am doing fine and feel better able to concentrate and less distracted. My T is concerned and against me being put on a stimulant but I was really struggling with study. Basically it is very possible that a stimulant can cause mania. It is apparently very common.

As for ways to get mania to subside I have found anti-psychotics's to be very helpful as well as reducing stimulation by doing things like resting in a dark, quiet room can help a bit. Hope you find some peace soon.

[Unconventionalones]

The issue I find perplexing is the concerta stimulant was not something new that was added, but taken for a number of years. So, why now is concerta a problem? I just don't understand that? Possibly by taking it away it's the quickest way to come down from mania?

I usually manage it by taking PRN Zyprexa and klonopin, and then also any self management stuff I can do; for example, yoga, guided meditation, less coffee.
I don't have ADHD but I would be extremely wary of taking it if I felt hypomanic.

[Victoria'smom]

I have a PRN I take when feeling manic.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

I was on vyvanse for my eating disorder. Bulimia. So my idiot pdoc put me on a stim to keep me, already severely underweight at the time, from eating. My life spun out of control within a few months. Started to abuse it, being hypo every day, lost my job etc etc. but my mania always shown itself through dysphoria and anger. And when I tried lamictal I became horribly dysphoric too. So I avoid that. But now I pretty much depend on a stabilizer to keep my mania at bay. Currently on gabapentin for it because i can't take many other stabilizers because I'm on birth control. I started it during a mixed episode about two weeks ago and so far so good!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Unconventionalones]

Originally Posted by Are you suffering?

I have both bipolar and ADD and what my doc has told me is that with any sort of stimulant you run the risk of inducing a manic episode. When I was on concerta it really didn't do anything for me and Ritalin threw me into a manic episode. Once the doc took me off Ritalin I came back down. So yes, getting off the stimulant helps in controlling the mania.

Originally Posted by jpb4815

I was kinda diagnosed with ADD before I knew I was Bipolar, I went to the doctor and described what I know now were the symptoms of a manic episode. He gave me Concerta, wow did that ever throw me for a loop. It was deemed that I do not have ADD based on the simple fact that the Concerta sped me up. I still wonder sometimes though, my brain is very much like a television that somebody has sat on the remote to, change...change...change. It gets trying sometimes.

Does it matter that he had taken the concerta for years, and it wasn't something new or added?

I understand and can relate to what you say about the rain, and a remote,..the fuzziness, all that..sitting on the remote to make a change all the time! Has to be very annoying when it is always going on!

I pray for calmness for you and all of us and those who have all this extra activity going on!

[Unconventionalones]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

I have a PRN I take when feeling manic.

What is PRN?

[Unconventionalones]

Originally Posted by jupiter3

I usually manage it by taking PRN Zyprexa and klonopin, and then also any self management stuff I can do; for example, yoga, guided meditation, less coffee.
I don't have ADHD but I would be extremely wary of taking it if I felt hypomanic.

Oh, so PRN is like klonopin? Or chlonozopam? Or various spellings!? Or generic, perhaps?

Anyhow, that is great if it works for you!

I
He had a dr. Who prescribed that several times years ago, and he never wanted to take it, as he was fearful of getting addicted to it? I wonder if he just got the wrong impression of what the med did and all?

Do you need to take it for a day? Week? Or? Sorry for all the questions, only answer if it is ok with you.

Just trying to help him figure out this stuff. I am his mom, and he trusts me, but we are learning too.

Thank you!

[Victoria'smom]

PRN is AS NEEDED. Usually I need to confirm with someone whether the situation calls for one before I take it because benzos scare me.

[mjw24]

Originally Posted by Unconventionalones

Are any of you readers with bipolar also diagnosed with ADHD?

I am both. I take Vyvanse for my adhd. It is time released so there isn't a spike in energy and focus and there isn't a crash either. It is a stimulant. Everybody is different. While lamictal might keep my mania in check...it may intensify somebody else's. Unfortunately that's why once you are diagnosed it takes most people at the very least a few years to find the perfect medication cocktail w their docs.

Sent from my HTC6535LVW using Tapatalk

[Unconventionalones]

Thanks. Seems the mania subsided and now back on concerta. Hoping the ups and downs can be managed better...