[Ocean Swimmer]

I'm a mess.
I can sometimes feel some negative emotions. Like fear. Guilt. Unworthiness.
But nothing good. No happiness. Not looking forward to anything. No plans. No goals.
I do have tons to do. Millions of projects that have begun. All just sitting there.
Because I've been bipolar 35 years ( used to call it manic depression) I've had a zillion attacks.
Now I just feel bland empty and soulless.
Bummer.
Wonder if a new med would help?

[emgreen]

I went to my T's today & she said I have symptoms of depression. I'm already on a low dose of an anti-depressant. I don't really feel depressed, but my mind races & I just feel empty. T says to keep active...which I have been. I met with a few friends in the past week -- after a long period of isolation getting out is huge. Depression isn't really in my thoughts right now, but I can really empathize with your feeling of emptiness. I told her all I can do is deal with the Yin AND the Yang.

[Skeezyks]

Hello Ocean Swimmer: I'm sorry you are feeling empty & soulless. But I have to say I feel pretty-much the same way. I guess in my case it's partially age-related. It's just too late for anything now. I'm just hanging out awaiting the arrival of ole rozin-the-beau & hoping he shows up sooner rather than later.

I do the few things that need to be done. I simply don't allow myself to even consider the possibility that it could be otherwise. There is a sense in which I'm afraid of where the bottom might be if I ever did otherwise. I'm not on med's any more nor do I see a therapist. I think about both from time-to-time. But neither one has ever really been that helpful & I really can't afford them. So what's the point? Besides nothing's going to change at this late stage of life... Anyway, if you think a new med might help you, why not give it a try? Good luck!

[Moogieotter]

Welcome back! Sorry you're struggling. It does sound like a new treatment is in order as you're not getting the results that you need or deserve.

[Ocean Swimmer]

I've taken all the meds you're on at different times.

I tried latuda but it gave me anxiety.
My Pdoc just asks me what meds I want. You know what works for bipolar for me- opioids.
I was on them for years for a medical condition. Never abused them or needed higher doses. But pdocs do not believe opioids could help bipolar.
I never had an attack during opioids. But I did when I went off of them, even though I made a slow gradual dosage reduction.
I'm open to try a new med.
my life is on hold right now.

[Moogieotter]

You can take that Zoloft up to 100 150 or even 200. I am not sure about the opiates as I have the addiction history and can't take any chances with that. There are a lot of combinations out there just got to keep trying. How is your drinking?

[Ocean Swimmer]

I don't drink.
Both parents were Alcoholics.
I drink maybe a few months out of the year. I have to be careful. I get headaches and hangovers easy.

[Moogieotter]

Cool. Alcohol severely negates the effectiveness of SSRIs like Zoloft. You said you've tried everything that I have tried but then you mentioned you've never tried Prozac. It takes forever like six weeks to start working but there's a wide dosage range and it tends to be more energizing.

Good luck and once again welcome back.

[Ocean Swimmer]

I'll read up on Prozac. There are certain classes of drugs I can't take. Like Paxil. It's like a pill that gives me unbearable anxiety

[Moogieotter]

Prozac Zoloft and Paxil are all part of the same class of medication SSRIs

[Ocean Swimmer]

Ah ha. Maybe that's why I've avoided them in the past.
So upping the dose of Zoloft may give me a bad reaction. Pm me anytime.