I never asked for bi-polar...why?!?!

[benZOheAD333]

Hello I am sufferer of bipolar since I was sixteen years old and have been on and off of meds. I am currently on Lithium and Klonopin. I hate the mood stabilizers because they make me feel lethargic and lazy. I also am an addict...currently not using anything but when the time comes...hitting those lows...I abuse opiates like crazy and hit the bottle. I stop the mood stabilizers and it becomes a vicious cysle. I feel like I have no control over substance abuse problems because of my incredible fluctuating mood problems, I get so depressed that I feel I need the opiates to regulate my moods and the meds never seem to work. Is there hope or am I doomed with the other 85% of bi-polar patients who abuse drugs on a constant basis? I was wondering if there was anyone else who could relate or talk to with. I have been on Depakote, Lithium, and Tegretol throughout my time and none seem to work. The Lithium works for awhile but then I end up getting depressed again. Would staying off of all meds and just use drugs be better??? Please help!!

[HelpDepression]

Of course there's help for you ... as well as for "the other 85% of bi-polar patients who abuse drugs on a constant basis." You always have, even though it's difficult for you to realize, full control over your life. It's up to you to take control of this "vicious cycle."

Staying off all meds and just using drugs is definitely NOT the answer. On the contrary, staying off the drugs and alcohol and just using the prescribed meds would be your best bet. Obviously that's a lot easier said than done, but as far as I can see, that's your answer.

Take care, and best of luck to you.

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Chad Colbert
chad@helpdepression.com
http://www.helpdepression.com/

[superbusy]

hey, i obviously don't know you, but I don't think you should believe that you are just doomed to abuse drugs. No, I'm not saying there won't be times that it will seem easier, but you don't have to do that. It could be as simple as talking to your doctor. Maybe they just haven't found the right drug, combination of drugs or dosage level for you. The books only give the doctor dosage guidelines, it's up to us to tell them how it is working so they can adjust it. I do understand the lethargic and lazy feeling. I told my doctor, I wasn't experiencing any great highs or lows, but I wasn't really happy with the way I was feeling. She adjusted the dosage and so far it seems good. Time will tell. Don't give up though, it's worth fighting your impulses to use drugs. They only make it worse in the long run.
Best wishes to you.
Marianne

[benZOheAD333]

Hello everybody, thank you for the advice. I saw my psychiatrist the very next day after I posted and he suggested putting me on a 900mG dose of Lithium with Prozac and a low dose of Seroquel (anti-psychotic) for my sleep withdrawls. (I was recently taken off of Klonopin, a benzodiazepine, and he suggested that would help) Well anyways...WHY HASN'T PROZAC BEEN USED AS A COMMON DRUG COMBINED WITH A MOOD STABILIZER FOR BI-POLAR TREATMENT???? From being on it for only five days I have already felt tremondeous improvement. My energy is back, I no longer have a lost of interest in things that I used to enjoy, work better, and my concentration is up. The first couple days on the Prozac I did abuse OxyContin a few times but so far I've been completley clean for three days which is a great improvement for me. Well thank you again for the advise and just wanted to post this to let you all know. GO PROZAC!

[HelpDepression]

Different drugs work for different people. It's great to hear you may have found a combination that will work for you.

Keep clean and good luck!

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Chad Colbert
chad@helpdepression.com
http://www.helpdepression.com/

[Sick In The City]

Dear benZOhead,
I have had manic-depression since I was yay-high to a bull frog. I have also gone through the lab rat bulls^&t of being placed on mood stablizers and antipsychotics which reduced me to a total inability to function or care for my family. This, above all, created an environment in which I was eager to use again.
Unfortunately one of the symptoms of the bipolar disease is substance abuse so you and I are basically stuck in between a rock aand a hard place. Self medicate and throw our lives into turmoil or take meds that only work as a temporary bandaid. Tough choice.
I know your pain. I have, many times found myself paralyzed by the internal conflict that bipolar creates...thinking I was totally insane or just totally selfish and basically wanting to die.
I have also done obscene amounts of amphetamines trying to level myself, which did work, on occassion.
However, I have found that the one thing that consistently works for me is the practice of the twelve steps of Narcotics Anonymous. I quit taking lithium well over a month ago, have seventy days of clean time and am about to see a doctor who supports me in this med-free choice. I also attend five N.A. meetings per week and usually throw one A.A. meeting in there. I make coffee twice a week and chair one meeting per week. I wanted to see if I could apply the principles
of my program to my other disease (bipolar)
and you know what?...they work. Give yourself a break Benzo and try to hit a few meetings. Try for two today! It will work if you work it. And your recovery is worth the effort. In fact, your recovery won't happen without the effort. Good luck and best wishes!

[Sick In The City]

P.S. Prozac will make a bipolar with suicidal ideations go over the edge. I head a shrink tell me this and then prescribe it anyway!!! I tried to kill myself less than a month later.

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