Tegretol: Where did the good feelings go?

Hi, all.

I'm new to the forum, and newly diagnosed as BP II at 37. After being diagnosed with depression in my teens, treatments never helped and I never thought my manic swings weren't just part of my personality. It's severally worn on my health (alcohol, lack of sleep, not eating, etc.), and after several psychiatrists, doctors, naturopaths, and self-help books, it's only been change to a new family doctor and psychiatrist that challenged the initial depression diagnosis and that was held up without question.

I was switched to Wellbutrin which has been a wonder drug for me for controlling my lows. As for the highs, I've spent a few months on Lithium, and found that I benefited from all of the side effects (*joke*) and none of the benefits. I've read so many forum posts similar to mine, and how the road is long to find the right combination of medication.

Unhappy with the Lithium results, my psychiatrist switched me to Tegretol about a 6 weeks ago, and things changed noticeably. I was able to sleep for the first time in my life (i.e., 9-10 hours rather than 3-4), my mind stopped racing and it seemed to calm many of my other manic tendencies. Unfortunately, it only lasted for about a week, and the feelings started to fade. Within a week, I had another episode.

I called my doctor, and he raised my dosage, since Tegretol seems to metabolize differently in each person. This time, after a week of side effects, the calmness returned but only for a few days. Now after seeing my doctor again, we raised the medication again in an effort to get high enough levels in my system to keep that initial feeling that I got on a more permanent basis. Now at the higher dose and 8 days in, I'm still having side effects and waiting to see if my highs things are under control.

And to my question: Is is possible that I won't get that feeling back? Is it possible that I might have to switch again to another med that has a more permanent affect? I understand everyone is different and how the metabolize medications is just as different, but I'd like to hear from anyone with a similar story.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks you so much, CrackedGirl

I didn't realize that I might need a second mood stabiliser - I'll give the increased Tegretol at least 5-6 weeks and then mentioned that to my doctor. I still think it's a bit weird that it seemed to work and then magically disappeared so quickly

I just wanted to update my previous post.

Things with Tegretol didn't get any better - it did some good, but didn't manage to control my cycling, anger and racing thoughts. After getting to the therapeutic level, my pdoc suggested that I add an anti-psychotic to the mix (I was also taking Wellbutrin XL) - just like you predicted, CrackedGirl!

I had a hard time working with my pdoc choosing an anti-psychotic that didn't have a laundry list of horrible side effects. He suggested either Abilify or Depakote, both of which I was a little hesitant to pick between.

In the end, we went with Abilify (5mg) and after a few days, the only thing I can really say about it is that it makes me sleep a lot (so much so, tonight I'm switching to taking it at bed time). Some of the side effects are pretty scary (including the price of the meds), but I guess it's the trade off when you're trying to reach a 'quiet mind'.

Anyways, if anyone has taken Abilify and has anything to say (good/bad), I'd love to hear about it.

Thanks

Hey -

I'd been on Abilify for quite a well in the past. I'd been on it for around a year & a half. It didn't give me too many side effects. I was on, I think - 7.5 mg. It controlled everything for the most part. When I had my last hypomania, they upped the dosage to 15 mg, & it eliminated the hypomania. Which I took as a miracle to be honest with you as the episode was really severe.

The dosage eventually made me rather depressive. Actually, I'm not sure if it was the dosage or just a return of a depressive episode. No matter what it was - my psychiatrist thought it was time to change it to a different anti-psychotic: Seroquel. & That's currently working really well for me.

Guess what I'm saying is, anti-psychotics have been really good with me. I think they are really beneficial in the treatment of Bipolar. So - go into with a positive mindset & hopefully it will help.

- EGD.

Thank you so much for reply, EGD.

It's weird - I was fine with the Wellbutrin and Tegretol, but there's something about the anti-psychotics (like Abilify) that really scare me. I guess I've read a lot and tried to prepare myself for what lies ahead, and maybe that's been a mixed blessing.

I don't know much about Seroquel, but it's comforting to know that there are other options out there in the event that the Abilify doesn't work any magic.

I'll update in a few weeks

I agree that anti-psychotics can sound a bit scary in the side effects department. Mostly all of the atypical anti-psychotics have the warning of developing a nerve disorder. When on the high dosage of Abilify, I started having very noticeable "jerks" if you will, in my body. Luckily, when I went off Abilify, the side effect stopped. So it wasn't anything serious.

People don't often suggest Seroquel because it's notorious for making people overly tired & sleepy. But not everyone reacts that way. For example, me.

Definitely update us in a few weeks to see how it goes.

- EGD.

Awesome - thanks, CrackedGirl Comments like yours make me feel better about being on it. It's been a few days now, but I feel a long more stable. I'm being hesitant for the time being because I don't want to mistake the drugs working with me just cycling. I have noticed that I'm not over-heating when I get frustrated, and my frustration/temper seems to have mellowed. Fingers-crossed.

Now if the increased Tegretol hadn't caused nocturia, I'd be a happy monkey