How do you feel about being bipolar and taking medicine if you take it?

(answering myself) My own medicine is language, putting things into speech and words as imperfectly as I might, even just trying to communicate something to someone out there. Meditation and music and books and conversations, interactions with other people of any kind, certain key connections I have with friends - these are all medicinal.

How to know if someone is biploar

I’m going to be honest. I used to take them and I wish I never stopped, I was fine for awhile and now I’m spiraling and forced to go back on them. I took zyprexia 10mg , which is also a tranquilizer, and prob not the best option out there but it did work good enough to stay stabilized. Ps. When I get a new medicine, it won’t be that. Gonna try other ones this time. All in all, medicine seems to be the only possible way to stay stable in my mood. I hope that helps, good luck

@juneravens

Dear juneravens,

Thank you for sharing. I feel like that too that whether without medicines I can balance or not because otherwise I am too sleepish or dependent but after a recent relapse I feel it's better to be safe by being on medicines and in touch with doctors than be sorry. Always be honest with them. My doctor told Me I will have lifelong medicines and I had to chew on that bitter truth. My friend made me feel better by saying that she is on lifelong thyroid medicines which is another condition. Many people are on medicines for their whole lives. Majority of the world today is on medicines and is suffering but coping. Nothing is perfect. But we make the best out of it. Good luck. You got this!

I have tried lithium depakote olanzapine respridone and an injection (forgetting name) never liked any of it. Finally found a doctor who listens and cares and tries the most out of many so far and that helps the most.

I take the exact same medication you do! Also, I personally really need it? Every time I can't take it for consecutive days I mood gets really bad. I start to feel severely depressed. I basically become nonfunctional without it. It can be really intimidating. There isn't a cure for bipolar disorder, so I'm basically going to be dealing with this for the rest of my life. Still, I know that the condition can change over time, so maybe I won't always need it. But for right now, I have to do what I have to do.

I take lamictal (generic, idk how to spell lemoltrogene....) I also take mertazipine for sleep. I like the lamictal, it's a life saver. But it's not been working so well lately. As far as sleeping medicine goes chamomile tea is wonderful. Iv had other mood stabilizers in the past. Some made my legs hurt, some oddly enough had sexual side effects but only in men. But all in all I don't mind the lamictal. It gives my coping skills a chance to work.

@juneravens

I was diagnosed type 2 a few years ago. My dad is diagnosed type 1. I refused at first to believe that I was bipolar and that I’d have to take medicine for the rest of my life. After I hit crisis mode, lithium saved my life.

Medication has allowed me the ability to take care of myself; cooking good food, resting, exercising, etc. I wasn’t able to do that in crisis.

I have finally accepted that the treatment for my disorder is no different than a diabetic needing insulin. It’s how I’m able to live my life my way. It took a lot of trial and error to find the right drugs, combinations, and dosages. But I’m at that sweet spot now, after recently having to come off due to another health issue, and I’m so glad. I feel like myself, pre-symptoms and pre-diagnosis. Empowered to do what I want to do and not be hindered by trying to tackle a chemical imbalance without any help.

Growing up, I saw my dad struggle with taking medication. I was terrified of him. I never knew who was going to show up and if that person loved me or would hurt me. When he finally started to take his medication regularly, he was a new man; himself.

Everyone’s illness is different, lifestyles and beliefs, too. I would encourage anyone with a mood or personality disorder, to include depression, to seriously consider medication through a trusted professional.

**current medication: lamictal and citalopram

I recently had a psychiatrist order a genetic test for me to see how I metabolize certain drugs, lamictal being one of them. Turns out it works in my system as it should, but for other people, higher doses are required. You’re on a pretty low dose, so I wonder if it isn’t quite at your therapeutic level. Once I was on my current dose, I felt 100%, but it took some time to see where that “just right” was.

Hello! My life personally changed after I started Abilify. I haven’t been taking it the last few months because I am trying to get pregnant. My moods have been sporadic and I’ve been depressed a lot since I quit taking them.

I’ll be the first person to say that I hate being dependent on a medication to function, however, I’m more in control of my life when I’m on them. I’m currently unmedicated and am spiraling a bit.

I talked to my NP about getting back on it and am considering it with my husband.

This journey is hard, I’m sorry for that. Don’t give up though, it’s worth it.