What are some improvements you've noticed since starting meds? What are some things that have gotten worse for you since starting meds?

Lamictal has more or less eliminated my aggression. I used to be violent and destructive, especially when depressed. (I'd throw things, smash things, etc., and I'd start fights.) Also, Abilify has really helped prevent mania in me. I still get hypo, but no more hallucinations as of late.

What had gotten worse? I think my depressions have gotten slightly worse, although they don't last as long as they used to.

[jpb4815]

Seroquel: was a wonder drug for me for about a year, it helped with mania and made me sleepy. Now I cannot take it due to restless leg syndrome.

Klonopin: worked really well for a year or two with my anxiety, then I flat-lined and it really does not do much for me any more. I am off of it finally after 7 years and I think my memory is getting better, the rebound anxiety suck though. I hope that it goes away soon.

Lithium: This seems to be working well for me as an inhibitor for mania, it does not do much in the way of making me sleepy though.

Suboxone: I hate this crap, I take it due to a recent relapse with opiate addiction, and yes it reduces the cravings and all. It gives me the worst headaches though, looking to get onto a different medication.

Buspar: My replacement anxiety med, this is like a sugar pill for me. I feel nothing from it, and I am still anxious a lot of the time.

I could list many many more that I have been on, but those are the ones that stand out the most for me.

[CobolCapsule]

Risperidone has helped me tremendously with my explosive outbursts, ocd and irritability, and keeps my mood even. The wellbutrin and paroxetine help me with my depression, and adhd, as well the methylphenidate.

Really no cons with my meds.

[xRavenx]

I've been on numerous meds throughout the years, so I'll mention the ones I'm on now:

Lamictal Pros:
-Delays episodes and reduces the frequency and intensity
-While I still struggle with impulsivity, I do not self-medicate as much, and I am able to recognize some of my behaviors and triggers
-I have periods of time now where I am somewhat "even"
-Some relief with depression, although not a slam-dunk

Cons:
-Its help with delaying episodes does not fix the fact that episodes still occur
-Lamictal is not enough to control mania on its own. I think I'd be manic much more frequently without an AP with the Lamictal.
-Not enough to regulate sleep patterns
-It only helps depression to an extent. People rave about it for depression, but I ask myself how much it's really helping, even on my dose of 400 mg.

Seroquel Pros:
-Much better sleep. This helps reduce the likelihood of intensely manic episodes
-Prevents or helps manage psychosis
-Helps regulate mood. It also helped me get out of Mixed Episodes much sooner than without it.
-It's calming, and I definitely feel less anxious in general, although I still have bouts of anxiety

Cons:
-When I do get depressed, I feel Seroquel makes me more apathetic
-The sedation is very heavy and is hard to deal with in the morning on certain days
-I've noticed a little bit of weight gain and wonder if it's the Seroquel
-Difficulties getting motivated sometimes

Klonopin Pros:
-Long-lasting effects to help with anxiety
-Easy to tolerate without horrible side effects
-Helps with different areas of functioning in life, especially when having to be in anxiety-provoking settings

Cons:
-The more you take it, the weaker its effects.
-It can make you sleepy and sometimes less motivated
-Does not offer fast relief for panic symptoms

[Kuras]

Haldol Pros: Crushes psychosis like no other med I've ever taken. Has become my bedrock for the elimination of psychotic symptoms.

Haldol Cons: Makes me tired. If I'm not careful and I take it too late, I can end up sleeping way later than I want to. Causes akathisia.

Abilify Pros: Works in conjunction with my Haldol. Good at fighting psychosis. Doesn't make me tired and can even give me energy. Overall, a solid med.

Abilify Cons: Akathisia and dry mouth.

Lamictal Pros: The reason I've barely found myself in mania since reaching an effective dose. Has done a great job in keeping my moods stable. One of the most innocuous meds I've ever taken; I have almost zero negative side effects. Makes me relaxed before bed.

Lamictal Cons: Every once in awhile, I can get a very minor rash somewhere on my body (does not bother me and always goes away).

Cogentin Pros: Does a good job of mitigating my AP-induced symptoms of akathisia.

Cogentin Cons: Dry mouth.

[Shazerac]

The meds I'm on now seem to be working for me. I'm lucky that I haven't had to try a lot of different meds.

[Unrigged64072835]

Latuda, Neurontin, and Vistarl seem to be doing well except I have akathisia from Latuda. I'm taking Artane for that and it seems to knock it down some. Pdoc says this is the best she's seen me in years. I hope she's right.

[wildflowerchild25]

I've been stable for the most part save some depression in November for nine months now on my current meds. I've been out of the hospital for a year and a half. I havent self harmed in almost a year. All these are very big pros.

Biggest con is the invega has caused my prolactin to skyrocket, which has caused me to gain 70+ pounds. This has pushed me into pre diabetes. So that is a huge con. I am going to go to an endocrinologist to see if there's any medication I can take to bring the prolactin down. I don't know if I will be able to lose any weight but I'm going to go moderate low carb in the new year as it's the best diet for diabetes.

I wish I didn't have to choose between my physical health and my mental health. Right now my mental health is more important to me because I struggled so much and caused so much harm to my son and the rest of my family. I'd rather not be so fat but it's not the worst thing in the world. I just don't want to become diabetic.

[MissCathryn]

Lamictal literally saved my life. I had BP tendencies along with anxiety and depression my whole life, but developed BPII at 45, (about 5 months ago)and I'm still getting used to it. I was in a horrible depressed state. SSRIs did nothing anymore. Lamictal started helping at 50mg! I'm up to 350mg now. Pros: excellent at ending my depression con: my memory is a bit off, and sometimes I just feel dumb I also take Wellbutrin 400mg. I don't think I have any cons with this drug..Only pros. Helps keep me "up". Xanax pro..Stops racing thoughts (most of the time), calms me out of a panic attack. No real cons with Xanax either..Just that sometimes it makes me tired.

[TerryL]

I am not bipolar but I saw this article the other day. I debated whether to post it because I know how important meds can be but still..anyways, I decided to post it..

https://www.madinamerica.com/2016/12...heart-disease/

[StewieGG]

Olanzapine has stabilised my moods a great deal, I used to rapidly cycle between mania and depression and the moods were very severe. I would be suicidal most of the time, how I am still alive shocks me sometimes when I think about how bad I am off meds. Meds basically save my life, I still have lows but nothing like the deep depression I get when I'm not taking anything. Lamotrigne has also helped with stabilising the moods. Aripiprazole stopped the voices. Only problem is nothing stops the paranoia, it's something I have to deal with myself. Only con of medication is weight gain, that brings me down a lot. The pros vastly outweigh the cons though.

[StewieGG]

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

Biggest con is the invega has caused my prolactin to skyrocket, which has caused me to gain 70+ pounds. This has pushed me into pre diabetes. So that is a huge con. I am going to go to an endocrinologist to see if there's any medication I can take to bring the prolactin down. I don't know if I will be able to lose any weight but I'm going to go moderate low carb in the new year as it's the best diet for diabetes.

What is prolactin exactly? My prolactin was very high on a blood test once but the doctor never really explained it.

[CobolCapsule]

I am not bipolar but I saw this article the other day. I debated whether to post it because I know how important meds can be but still..anyways, I decided to post it.

Anything from madinamerica isnt worth posting. They have bias and an agenda.
Heart disease is rare with any psychiatric meds.
The very small risk is no different between antidepressants and antipsychotics.

This is off topic anyway

[WhiskeyGirl]

Prozac
Wellbutrin
Abilify
Trazodone

I couldn't tell you which ones were the culprit, but I feel numb all the time and a complete lack of creativity.

[wildflowerchild25]

Originally Posted by StewieGG

What is prolactin exactly? My prolactin was very high on a blood test once but the doctor never really explained it.

It's a hormone. Both men and women have it. It goes up during pregnancy. High prolactin can cause your body to think it's pregnant, so as a woman your period stops, your breasts enlarge, and you might begin lactating. All of which has happened to me. Weight gain is an uncommon but not unknown side effect of high prolactin.

[Nate7907]

Abilify Pros: Terrible medication for me. going of starting today.

Abilify Cons: Akathisia, confusion, weight gain, blood-sugar drops(not diabetic), Anxiety, and irritability

Lamictal Pros: This drug is currently working well for me. Makes me not rapid cycle. maintains depressions better than ssri's.

Lamictal Cons: Non what so ever.

Cymbalta pros: no/little Anxiety!

Cymblata cons : rapid cycling