Don't worry about the amount or combination of meds you're taking. It's quite common in treating BP to go through trial & error to determine the right meds. I've taken Cymbalta, Lithium, Wellbutrin & Geodon for 8 mos. So far, it's the best combination I've used. I've taken meds for 8 years, it would be easy to look at it as 8 years of failure, but that won't do any good. So, PLEASE, don't get discouraged!!

During the process of finding the right meds for you, keep your head up & your thoughts positive. It helps to communicate openly & honestly with your caregivers about EVERYTHING: how the meds make you feel, why you like or dislike them, what your expectations are, what your moods are, etc. For me, this is very, very hard, but I work at it because it's in my best interest. Remember, your caregivers work for you. You hired them to solve your problem. So call between visits, get an appointment earlier than your next sceduled appointment . . whatever it takes!

I want you to be empowered to handle this! You deserve a better quality of life than you seem to have now.

I can't stress enough to not give up!! You are definitely worth getting the best treatment you can get. I feel a positive change will be right around the corner for you!!

Sometimes I don't know if it is more frustrating for me or for my family. I am seeing a new Dr. next week I am hoping that I will have better luck with her med advice and combinations. I have been off Zoloft for the past 2 days, and ironically I have stopped crashing, and am stable again! I just don't know anymore....thanks for the encouragement

This disease is extremely hard on families. Have you heard of NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill)? They have chapters across the country. They present support groups for consumers & family. My husband took Family to Family training. He said it was like a light bulb going off. www.nami.org

I sometimes go to a group sponsored by DBSA (depression & bipolar support alliance). Families & consumers are welcome at these group meetings. At NAMI family & consumers attend separate groups.
www.dbsalliance.org

The most valuable thing about groups is connecting with people who understand you. You can develop a support system & learn TONS of info from others who know exactly what you're going through.

Good luck with the new doctor. Sometimes I think female physicians are easier to talk to. It never hurts to get fresh eyes to look over the situation. It might help the doc if you take a list of everything you've ever taken, even the meds that didn't work. I've been asked for that several times over the years.

Feel free to PM if you want.

Have a great week!

Thanks for the info on Nami, I was familiar with DBSA, I think that will probably be the next step for my family and I, my partner and I have been talking about that a lot lately. It can't hurt right? I think these message forums have been much help as well, so feeling as though you are going in some type of direction is better than no direction! I have to tell my GF and family about NAMI and see if they have heard of it. I even think these type of message forums could help THEM not feel so alone and helpless.

Do you see a counselor? If not, you may consider it. I've seen one for years. I go even when there's nothing pressing to talk about because the counselor is the one ally I have that is totally there for me.

My husband met the counselor at my request. He's been to a couple of appointments with me when there were things I found hard to discuss with him. Even then the counselor made it clear that those appointments wouldn't be couples counseling, it was all about me. That's the kind of support person I need on my side.

In seeking out a counselor go with your gut instinct to determine if you think you'd like working with them or not. They're used to clients moving on, you won't hurt their feelings if you go to someone else. Keep trying until you find the one that clicks. It's your well-being at stake. Again, like the docs, the counselors are employed by you.

It sounds like you're putting a lot of effort into the management of your condition. That's really great! I know how hard that is, but the rewards are unbelievable - - for you & those who love you.

Hey there,
Yes Ive been through 2 councilers on my 3rd now and I like him a lot. Drs on the other hand I havent had the best luck with been through 3 of them, going on my forth. Actually its a phsycologist MD that I see, I wish he could perscribe meds but he can't. Anyway, I've been to sessions with my family with him and my partner. They sort of helped. I think it would be better If they went when I was not there to a support group, its just too hard to say what you feel in front of the person with the problem, at least thats how I see it. I wish I were further along in progress, with Drs and meds now...almost a year.... and a tough one at that. Plus a stressful high profile job, where I deal with ALOT of people. Sometimes I just can't take it, I need stability, no one wants to be around someone that they don't know each day, even if it is at work, you know? Its tough... I was getting stable and now I am having a hellish Monday dealing with people at work. Thats my next session I suppose...yay!

Sorry to hear that today's going so rough for you. Is there any way you can step away for a couple of minutes? Maybe walk or call your counselor or hide in the bathroom & gather your thoughts? The last time I worked there were days I thought I would flip out right there in the office.

I always felt that nobody got me. It seems BP makes that worse for me with the changes it makes in my thought patterns. It's like the coworkers were speaking a language I don't know, but I was expected to keep up with the work.

It sounds like you, family & loved ones are working hard to create a way to process all the stuff that goes along with this condition. That's really great. Alot of people want to isolate themselves once they're diagnosed. I'd highly recommend NAMI as a resource for your family.

Getting meds fine tuned can be exasperating, but pretty soon all the elements will come together & everything will fall into place.

Hang in there . . . you're doing just fine.

I am on 14 meds. Take into consideration that a few of them are twice daily. I had to go buy a bigger weekly pill holder. They just keep adding and adding and adding. Grrrrrrrrrr!
I am also BP.
Here they all are:

Theophlline 300mg twice daily for asthma and COPD
Nexium 40mg in the morning for acid reflux
Atenolol 25mg in the morning for high blood pressure
Lexapro 10mg twice daily for deppression
Synthroid 0.075 mg for hyothryroid
Klonopin 1mg three times a day for anxiety
Xanax 1mg as needed for severe anxiety attacks
Advair 500/50 twice daily for COPD
Singulair 10mg once a day for allergies
Spivira once a day for COPD
Benedryl for allergies every 4-6 hours as needed for allergies
Albuterol inhailer every 4-6 hours as needed (rescue inhailer)
One 81mg asprin daily ( for blood flow to the brain)
Vicodin 10/660 every 6 hours times a day for pain L-spine
Lamectal 100mg at bedtime for Bipolar


Carrie

Carrie, does Benadryl give you problems? It caused some messed up thinking & I was advised to avoid it at all costs.

No not really. Been talking it for years. Sure helps with the onset of airborn allergies right away like dust etc. It also helps me sleep if I need it. I have had no problems at all with it.

Carrie

Glad you get relief from it. You've gotta stick with what works best.
I have several health problems, too. To me, it seems like lots of people with BP do, as if the brain is totally out of balance.
April

Ich...you can say that again...

My daily dose of pills usually includes anti-depressant's, anti-inflammatories etc...

Osgood Schlatters,
Bilatteral patella alta due to ^,
Chondromalatia patella (Patella-Femoral pain syndrome) due to ^,
Osteo-arthritis due to ^,
Long-finger syndrome,
Flat feet,
Left side of chest is more pronounced then right,
Very low blood pressure,
Learning problems,
BP with mild border line personality disorder...

Some day's it feels like I'm a real freak of nature, but it does have it's ups...

I am fairly tall...

Makes it easy to reach hihg places like changing bulbs and stuff...although it can be a pain trying to get a car that has proper seating space. Just call me a human ladder

Very long and flexible fingers...

Perfect for playing piano/electronic keybord or typeing.

Neat musical talent...

I can play music by ear...theory is out of the question tho (Learning/coordination problem).

Insight...

I don't need to read a manual to operate things/learn software/realise things. I learn the easiest with "Hands on" experience

I suppose, the easiest way to get around these "afflictions" is to see the positive side of it. For the most case, a lot of these things would not be possible, were it not for the problems I have.

Now, if I can only "PRACTICE WHAT I PREACH" ;P

After all, "we" are just classified as having a "mental illness" or a "physical problem" because we don't conform to what society sees as "Normal"...blah...screw society...

Your talents are impressive!

On another part of the BP forum, there's a conversation about creativity & BP. Personally, I think it's most forms of mental illness. I'm a writer, creative cook & crafter. My mother with severe depression is a writer. An example of creativity with mental illness is Van Gogh.

My theory also connects genius & mental illness. The first example that comes to mind is Abraham Lincoln.

Sounds like you've got a lot on your plate medically. It also sounds like you're doing well with it. Kudos to you!

I try my best to survive...but ultimately, it's not going to be enough. If I don't find a way to change where I am heading...I am just going to slip into oblivion...nothing gained and nothing given...to this world...

I have had the same GP for four years now and she knows me better then I know myself. My last visit is when she picked up on my long secret of BPD. I put all my trust in her. I want you to know that most of those meds on my list, I have been on for over 30 years! Most of the breathing meds. I was on Xanax for almost four years and just the year switched to Klonopin and along with an occasional Xanax for severe panic attacks, I am doing fine on all of them. She is a great GP and has taken care of ALL my needs (even physc) and I would not trade her for anything. My newest med being Lamectal.

Carrie