Bipolar Medication Advice

Hey everyone. It's the first time I post here.

I was recently diagnosed with bipolar by a psychiatrist who put me on depakote. It seems to be working fine so far but I came off it cold turkey for ten days and started acting weird which is my fault. I'm back on it but I am seriously considering going back on antipsychotics due to some delusional thinking I'm starting to have. I don't think I'm hallucinating but I'm convinced strangers know me and are talking about my private life. I thought it was gangstalking but I'm not so sure now. Anyway, I was previously on invega which I hated because it zombified me. Otherwise also been on risperdal which I don't like because of prolactin and constipation. Abilify was horrible and caused me suicide. So I wanted to get advice about the antipsychotics you think is best. Like weight gain wise and no prolactin. I've heard of things like zyprexa and seroquel... any good?

Mood Stabilizers:
1. Lithium (considered gold standard for bipolar)
2. Lamictal (very effective for a lot of people, just beware the rash)

Antipsychotics: different effectiveness and side effects for everyone. I've heard good and bad about all of them.

Thanks for getting back to me. Hehe Wario. That reminds me of Game boy. AH THE good days. So much eye damage though but hey smartphones are probably worse.

I wouldn't go for lithium because of the serious health risks I've heard. Lithium ions can cause issues with the brain and you need to get regular tests. It's like injecting yourself with a small dose of mercury or lead over time. Maybe it's not toxic enough but I would want to avoid that at all cost.

Don't know much about lamictal. I'll ask about it and do some research.

Regarding antipsychotics I was recommended Latuda. Seems to have some antidepressant properties which is good cause you can easily fall into depression if the mania is suppressed by the mood stabilised. See how it goes.

Yes Lithium has some possible downsides like any med. I remember reading Depakote has quite a few possible downsides as well.
Latuda is a newer one, I'm not that familiar with. Saphris is another new one. I've had good luck with Risperdal/Invega. Seroquel makes me feel drunk, good if you have insomnia though in inpatient. Abilify didn't seem to work well for me.
Here was a pill popper thread:
bipolar/topic200078.html

Medically treated bipolar 12 years and my meds need changed because I'm not stable. However with that said, lamictal + citalopram + diazapam worked for me for 8 years. Then a new doc with a new degree told me he no longer prescribes diazepam because it can cause chemical dependencies and would I like drug rehab? I was pissed beyond belief. I had to stop a medication that was a huge part of my treatment and what's worse is now I need rehab from drugs they gave me. I haven't been stable since. Moved many times, a few states. In and out of relationships, mood swings. However there's no help where I live now, no psych docs, just the family doc giving me the other 2 meds. The stupidest part of it all is if I stop the non addictive citalopram suddenly I will have brain zaps for a month. Tell me my body isn't physically addicted to it. Anything you have withdrawl from you're addicted to. Sorry... went off subject for a bit.

Brelaxedhunny wrote: Then a new doc with a new degree told me he no longer prescribes diazepam because it can cause chemical dependencies and would I like drug rehab? I was pissed beyond belief. I had to stop a medication that was a huge part of my treatment and what's worse is now I need rehab from drugs they gave me. I haven't been stable since.

I had an inpatient doctor that said long term benzo use is fine and better than using alcohol or having terrible anxiety. Obviously if you can function without them that is best. There are a few studies that link long term benzo usage to Alzheimer's but it may be better than being an emotional wreck.

Z7z, my former doctors agreed with your inpatient doctor. I don't drink or use illegal drugs. I've never abused the medication. I've been off for almost 4 years and look back and see the destruction of my own life over and over again. I know it helped me but finding another doctor that sees it that way is difficult. I wonder if they've linked the actual mental illness for which the drug is taken to Alzheimer's? My grandma is an unmedicated bipolar and she developed Alzheimer's at 82 years old.

Seriously dude, don't ask random people what meds to take. It's not like you're asking for recipe ideas for a school fete. This is your health. Ask your psychiatrist what he thinks you need to be on, and follow it.

z7z wrote:

Brelaxedhunny wrote: Then a new doc with a new degree told me he no longer prescribes diazepam because it can cause chemical dependencies and would I like drug rehab? I was pissed beyond belief. I had to stop a medication that was a huge part of my treatment and what's worse is now I need rehab from drugs they gave me. I haven't been stable since.

I had an inpatient doctor that said long term benzo use is fine and better than using alcohol or having terrible anxiety. Obviously if you can function without them that is best. There are a few studies that link long term benzo usage to Alzheimer's but it may be better than being an emotional wreck.

Lol. Your doc wants to push pills so sure he'll say Bezos are fine. And it's better than having anxiety?!!! Dude you 're human being. Anxiety is part of life. So if it was me I would look at the root cause of the anxiety and try to treat that by way of therapy or just go out and confront your fears. Many people defeat agoraphobia for example...

-- Fri Jul 13, 2018 2:10 pm --

bipolarbirdie wrote:Seriously dude, don't ask random people what meds to take. It's not like you're asking for recipe ideas for a school fete. This is your health. Ask your psychiatrist what he thinks you need to be on, and follow it.

No worries. I just wanted advice before seeing the pdoc. He suggested latuda and it's working really well for me so far.

Copycat27, actually probably bipolarbirdie,
Of course therapy has to be a part of it. I've been doing this medicated for 12 years. Yes everyone has anxiety but not everyone has it to the point of not coming out of the house or bed for fear of rejection, fear of expectations, fear of outcomes, good or bad. Not everyone has epileptic seizures from panic attacks but I do. Not everyone can just get out there and do it. Just because you don't understand why someone is taking a medication doesn't give you the right to downplay their situation like it's a choice.