What treatments have you tried for bipolar disorder? What works for you?

@SparkleMotion14 Hello Elizabeth, thank you for opening this discussion and for sharing what you've been going through. I agree with you, I think the pandemic has been so hard on us all. Let me tag some other members who can share with you! 

Hi everyone, what medications or treatments have you tried for bipolar disorder? What has worked the best for you? Are there any particular therapies or alternative treatments that have helped with manic or hypomanic episodes?
@Jasmine‍ @Matthewsmommy10‍ @Lacyann‍ @Mickie‍ @CRobie‍ @RedneckMermaid‍ @Laurendnyc03‍ @RebeccaLouise‍ @Merecedes‍ @Jenn620‍ @Karenkmi1‍ @HelaineElise‍ @Maleva‍ @Ellacy‍ @631cyndi‍ @Hershberger#1‍ 

Feel free to share with us here!

Take care,
Courtney

Hi Elizabeth,

Like you I was diagnosed with depression years ago, in my 20's and it wasn't until years later and going thru chemotherapy that a psyc saw I was going thru bouts of mania and gave me a bipolar diagnosis. I think originally he thought me bipolar1, but as time went on that didn't seem the case. He started me on lithium and it did help some and he added mood stabilizers and anti-psychotics along the way, experimenting to see which worked best. The one that I keep going back to is olanzapine/zyprexa. I always do better coming out of depression on this one, but it makes me gain weight and that makes me feel awful. SO we experimented and longggg story short I'm back on 7.5 olanzapine. 120 duloxetine and 6mg/twice daily of pramipexole for the last year. I've had a good year despite the pandemic on this concoction. But the 3 years prior I was majorly depressed almost ALL the time. My hypomania in bipolar presents itself more as quick talking, little patience with slow moving people or things, anger quickening, needing less sleep, starting 300 projects at the same time and finishing none. I wish I had more grand euphoria, but that is unlikely to happen. My depression/anxiety is awful and I feel like I've lost years of my life living like that. I've done accupuncture with some relief, essential oils, yoga, meditation -these have helped a little. I really don't like being on meds either, but I've come to the conclusion that I can't go off them anymore. Talk therapy has helped some, but I find my therapist talks too much about her own self sometimes, comparing my situation to something she might have gone thru. I get bored with that! When I start feeling good I stop therapy. I think finding a really good psychiatrist and therapist is KEY. My psyc is my lifeline.  I don't know anyone else who is bipolar, so it's nice to come here and read other's stories. I don't know how to come out of a hypomanic state because when I happen to be in one I kinda enjoy it! I ride it out, knowing the depression will settle in after and then I'm in real trouble! I hope you find a good mix of meds or other therapies that work well for you!

***EDIT 4/24/12***
My doc switched me from Zyprexa 20 MG twice a day to Lithium twice a day and my mood stabilizer Lamictil from 100 MG once a day to 100 MG twice a day. I pray this combo works. I just started it yesterday. I’ve been in a hypomanic state for 4 days. I’ve barely slept, I did an extremely big spring cleaning for many hours, my mind is racing, and I’m talking so much, so fast, and louder than normal and my husband has to tell me I’m doing it because I don’t really think I’m doing anything different, but I am. 😕

@Cici83 You and I sound quite similar. I take Zyprexa, Lamictil, Celexa, and Xanax. The Lamictil was just added about 8 moths ago and I have just recently noticed that it is helping a lot. Over the past 3-4 months I’ve had about 6 or so hypomania episodes. It’s been some time since I’ve gone full on manic. I’m going to talk to my doctors and tell them what’s been going and hopefully between my GP and my psychiatrist, they will help find something to help control these episodes. 

💖Elizabeth💖

I was on Lamictal and Celexa with Wellbutrin too all at the same time.  I have ativan that I take when I need it. Sometimes my PDoc would change my meds so fast I didn't know why or what I was on. It's like he expects them to work within a day or two and if I had any negative effects we'd stop taking them. I ask him why did 1 antidepressant work for me for like 20 years to stall my depression. Now all of a sudden I'm told I'm bipolar and wellbutrin or celexa doesnt' work anymore. No real answer. It's so strange to me. How long do your hypomanic episodes last? Are they really bad?  Do you like your Pdoc? I don't trust my general doctor to know what to do with me. He knows I'm bipolar and really doesn't touch it. I get thyroid meds from him and now high cholesterol meds, otherwise the rest come from PDoc. I hope both of your docs can come up with something that will work for you!

@Cici83 I see my GP and he’s the best. He really understands my condition. My hypomanic episodes typically last 2-3 days. However I’m in the middle of an episode right now and I’m on day 4. My GP changed my antipsychotic from Zyprexa (it quit working) to Lithium twice a day and increased my my mood stabilizer Lamictil from 100 MG once a day to 100 MG twice a day. I hope this works. 

Hi @SparkleMotion14 and @Cici83

How are you doing today?

I invite you both to give your opinion about all your medications here: https://member.carenity.us/medications

You can let the greater Carenity community know what you think of your medications-do they help? What are you side effects?

By leaving your opinions, you can help other Carenity members know what questions to ask their doctors and know what to expect.

I hope you can help us grow this new feature!

Take care,

Lizzi from the Carenity team

Best Treatment for bipolar disorder

Medication: Mood stabilizers, antipsychotic medications, and antidepressants may be prescribed to manage mood swings and stabilize emotions.

Psychotherapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and psychoeducation are effective in helping individuals develop coping skills and manage symptoms.

Lifestyle Management: Maintaining a regular sleep schedule, managing stress, and avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs are essential for symptom control.

Support System: Building a strong support network of friends and family can provide emotional support during mood episodes.

Dealing with bipolar disorder can be quite a journey, and it's fantastic that you're seeking insights into treatments. Personally, I've walked the path of bipolar disorder, and let me tell you, it's a winding road with some bumps, but it's navigable......

For me, a combination of treatments has made a significant difference. Medication, especially mood stabilizers like lithium, has been a game-changer. It helps level out the extreme highs and lows, giving me more stability. Psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), has been a powerful tool to identify triggers and develop coping strategies. But you know what really clicked for me? Exercise! I took up jogging, and the endorphin rush not only improved my mood but also helped regulate my sleep patterns. Additionally,

creating a structured daily routine and keeping a mood journal has helped me immensely. Remember, it's all about finding the right mix of treatments that work uniquely for you. Everyone's journey with bipolar disorder is different, so don't be discouraged if you need to try a few things before finding what truly clicks. Keep pushing forward.....