Posted by vasdef on March 8, 2004, at 12:47:22
In reply to Bipolar success stories? « Kira, posted by Dr. Bob on April 23, 2003, at 17:59:24
> > I have been diagnosed with rapid-cycling Bipolar and am very nervous about the potential side effects of medications. I am wondering if anyone would be willing to share their experiences with me regarding medications for treating Bipolar.
> >
> > I have read many stories from people who have had negative experiences on meds, yet have not read about anyone who has successfully been able to manage their disorder without side effects and/or a worsening of symptoms. I would like to believe that there *are* success stories out there, as it would make me less wary about treating my own condition with meds.
> >
> > Any information would be most appreciated. Thank you for your time and consideration!I have been bipolar 2 since I was 15. Wasn't diagnosed until I was 20. Started meds when I was 27. I will be 40 this year. I was lucky in the respect that the first combo of prescriptions given to me are the same ones I take today. I didn't have to go through med after med to find the right ones. I took 900 mg lithium and 20 mg Prozac a day for about 12 years, last year my med amounts were changed to 80 mg Prozac, lithium stayed the same. (Due to a difficult depression after losing my job) Other than that, I have only been manic 2 or 3 times, and the last was when I was 20. I seem to get the lows more.
Of course now, there are a few variables thrown in, and I probably won't know the effects until a later date. I recently started taking Provigil for Narcolepsy, and Strattera for A.D.D. (which I was just recently diagnosed with) So, hopefully all these meds will play nice together and not give me any problems.
>
poster:vasdef
thread:221828
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040308/msgs/322066.html