Posted by cindy lou on January 30, 2006, at 14:16:43
In reply to Help!! Bipolar, off meds, losing it, posted by catmint on January 28, 2006, at 18:05:38
Dear Catmint,
I am so so so sorry for all you are going through.I am a mother -- not a single mother -- and I can hardly deal with motherhood. I can't imagine how hard it must be going it alone.
I was wondering if you have tried a straight anti-depressant, like Prozac? I have been diagnosed as BPII (although no one is really sure if it's BPII or just depression + anxiety). I tried several mood stabilizers, and they all made me WORSE. I was on Lamictal for about 8 months, and it made me very agitated and anxious.
The thing that has worked best for me so far is a "band-aid approach"
- Lexapro for depression
- Dexedrine for fatigue, inattention, and an augment to the Lexapro
- and Klonapin for anxiety (which I usually take at night to sleep).The "miracle drug" for me is alcohol (sad to say.) I wish there was some med that could "mimic" it. I don't drink now, but I surely understand why you are turning to alcohol.
I am in agreement with everyone here about finding someone to talk to, and finding a doctor soon to give you a script for meds to help your depression. For me, alcohol doesn't feel the "same" when I am on antidepressants (just makes me tired and woozy) -- so getting on a med soon could help you get off the alcohol (and perhaps the other drugs as well?)
Please hang in there. I am really feeling for you. I can't imagine your pain, with your brother just dying on top of everything else.
Keep us posted ...
cindy
> I have been diagnosed for 7 years, been on all pych meds for bipolar since. 2 months ago stopped Lamictal monotherapy.
>
> I can't deal with my life. I felt that the Lamictal was only helping somewhat, and stooped for fear of long term effects.
>
> I'm 39, female, and living as a single parent.
>
> Now, I have a mild recreational drug problem, as well as alcohol every day. Ciggarettes, a tumultuous home-life, jobless, facing eviction,scrounging for change, no foodstamps till Feb. 3
>
> Help! Any posts in the next two to four hours are needed!! I need to get some advice.
>
>
poster:cindy lou
thread:603849
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060129/msgs/604512.html