[Kida17]

Hello everyone! I'm hoping someone can share some advice or insight about medications used to treat bipolar 2. I've been taking meds since February, and they seem to be helping level me out and keep everything normal. But, for some reason I'm still feeling kind if out of it, unfocused, and almost numb. I'm not sure if I should ask my doctor about it, or if it's just normal to feel that way while dealing with this. I'm also kind of terrified of switching meds now that I'm finally getting back to normal. I'm just not sure where to go from here. Any ideas/opinions?

Thanks!
-Christi

[Tucson]

Give it time. Once some time goes by and you still feel this way, talk to your pdoc about it. The mix of meds may need to be adjusted a little instead of any being replaced. Are you taking an AP? If so, IMO that may have something to do with how you are feeling right now.

It takes a while to get meds figured out. I didn’t realize the dosing for an episode isn’t necessarily the dosing for maintenance. I definitely had to have my antipsychotic reduced after a while.

Talk to the psychiatrist about it.

[Guiness187055]

I had that numbness for quite some time. Thorazine of all things pulled me out of it.

[Wild Coyote]

I strongly encourage all med-related concerns be posed to the prescribing doctor. S/he understands your meds and knows best how to adjust them according to your feedback.

While it's nice to feel stable, it's uncomfortable to be numb.


WC

[scatterbrained04]

I'd bring it up with your doctor. It could be doses need lowered or that you need different meds altogether. I know for me, personally, it can take a long time after a more severe episode to feel normal again too.

If you just came out of an episode it could be that. I was really frustrated because I was feeling similarly after a mixed episode that landed me IP and I thought it was the meds, but I just needed time for my brain and mood to recover. However, it could also be the meds emotionally sedating you too much and you might need a reduction or change. My depressions also leave me empty and numb, so that's also a potential reason.

Personally, I would not accept feeling flat/numb. It's a crappy feeling. You DESERVE happiness and healthiness, and a med that makes you numb isn't doing that.

Whether you're depressed or numb, you can't get much enjoyment out of your life, as you've found out — but life is meant to be enjoyed. So why should we accept feeling this way? We shouldn't.

It's always important to tell your doctor about these things. The goal of psych medication is not to numb you, but to improve your quality of life. Meds that over-stabilize don't improve much, if anything at all. So in my opinion, being over-stabilized defeats the purpose of taking psych meds, especially when there are so many psych med options and combinations out there.

You are your best advocate. Advocate for yourself. You deserve better.

[still_crazy]

hi. most psych drugs can cause varying degrees of apathy and numbing. when one starts putting together a multi-drug cocktail (which seems to be the norm for mood disorders), things can get...extra rough.

and yet...the psych drugs can be helpful. my personal advice would be to research the drugs you're currently prescribed and see what literature and other patients have to say.

sometimes, a switch is all it takes. i could not deal with risperidone, but abilify gets the job done and im not a zombie. that's -me-, not you, but...trying a different drug in the same class, asking about a dosage reduction, etc...can make a big difference, at times.

hope this helps.