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  #1  
Old Jan 08, 2017, 09:19 PM
MissCathryn MissCathryn is offline
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If I am in the depressive episode, will a med be added to help depression, then is I get hypo, that med will end and a new one to keep me calm will be added?

Or, if I am on the right combo of meds, the goal is for all this to level out?

I am a newbie to my dx

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  #2  
Old Jan 08, 2017, 09:22 PM
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Moose72 Moose72 is online now
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I'm not depressed right now but am on an SNRI. And a mood stabilizer and an antipsychotic. Every day.
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  #3  
Old Jan 08, 2017, 10:02 PM
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bioChE bioChE is offline
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Typically the meds are used to counteract an acute episode, and then continued as a prophylactic against a relapse of those symptoms. That's the norm with psych meds, whether they're indicated for long-term stability or not. So the short answer to your question is no, they will not be added and subtracted according to your episodes. They'll be frequently added and seldom taken away.

This is the methodology that has the average bipolar person on a 3-4 med cocktail at any given time.

I take a mood stabilizer and an atypical antipsychotic as my front lines against relapse. There are other meds in my cocktail, but those are for things other than mood episodes. I've been stable on this combo for well over a year, and not once has my doc suggested subtracting one of the meds or reducing dosages. He just wants to leave well enough alone.
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  #4  
Old Jan 08, 2017, 10:04 PM
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BeyondtheRainbow BeyondtheRainbow is offline
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The goal is to get a med combination that keeps you level without constant additions and subtractions. In the beginning it can feel constant but eventually your doctor will have a better awareness of what works for you. I think it's common to have a mood stabilizer and/or AP with an AD and sometimes it takes more than one med in one or more of those groups to work. Sometimes you'll have a med that the dose changes a bit with how you are doing. My AD is like that; right now I've had depression and the dose is at the top but it will be backed down in a month or so when the depression is gone because it's not good to not have the ability to adjust it. On the other hand my AP is a middle dose and adjustments are easier although we try to stay where I am because of side effects.
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  #5  
Old Jan 09, 2017, 12:14 PM
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xRavenx xRavenx is offline
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Sometimes it depends on the pdoc. I thought I was leveled out for a while, but this doctor is almost always changing things. I guess I'm not very stable though over the past 6 months....but as someone above stated, the goal is to level you out so things don't need to keep changing.

Occasionally, I want to downplay my symptoms, out of fear that meds will change drastically, since she's thrown ideas out there, but my pdoc seems to respect my decisions, if I don't want to make extreme changes most of the time.

This is just my experience though. A lot of people find long-term stability with BP, and I have found benefits from meds, for sure. Having a pdoc that you trust and that will let you have autonomy in your treatment is essential, while still working to get you stable. I hope you find the right combo soon that you'll feel comfortable with and will help you in the long-term. Also, take note that most of us have symptoms with meds, but it doesn't necessarily warrant change.

If they are manageable symptoms, then I've been with pdocs who just like to keep an eye on things. Although the occasional change is commonly needed, I know people with BP who find long-term stability, so keep hope!
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  #6  
Old Jan 09, 2017, 12:35 PM
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JustJace2u JustJace2u is offline
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I'm interested in knowing this as well. Right now I'm only on 2 meds.
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Current meds: 100mg Wellbutrin; 200mg Lamictal; 400mg Seroquel at night; Xanax 1mg/PRN; 100mg/PRN Trazodone at night for insomnia
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