Originally Posted by LuckyJules:
Bumping the old thread, sorry everyone. Through some difficult circumstances, I was diagnosed a few years ago... tried Topamax, and my ex-husband didn't think it worked, but I thought it did. I stopped, and shortly after we divorced, I started again, also again thinking that it helped. Started dating again, and my boyfriend didn't think that being on anything helped. I'm not sure if I should try something else... I've been off for several months, but I feel as though I need to be back on something -- anyone know if there is addictive properties with Topamax? I'd be willing to try something else, but sometimes I wonder if I need a anti-depressent as well as something to control my outbursts. I'm also going to admit that I hate talking to my doctor about it... I also get chronic migraines, which where decreased while taking Topamax.
Any suggestions? I probably just need to talk to my doctor about it again, but I'm just nervous about it, and I don't know why.

Hi!

I actually never tried Topamax- just heard that some Docs like to prescribe it because they say that you don´t gain weight while taking it.

I tried a few Antidepressants and they ALL made my switch to mania very fast (actually that lead to a diagnose- after 15 years of mood swings).

I am now on Lamotrigen (guess that´s the name in the US as well). It should help against the "lows". Not sure about it yet, but I am still on a "lower" dose (I take 200mg daily, it is suppose to work between 200mg and 400mg). It took forever to go to that dosage- 25mg per week.

But it doesn´t help with hypomania/ mania. That´s why I decided (with my Doc) that I try Lithium. I guess I´ll start after my next app in two weeks....I am kinda scared (silly somehow), but I really want to take it because it is said to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviour.

I am not an expert but if you feel that the meds work for you, I actually would say that you are the best person to judge....

About the migraene headache:
I started Lamotrigen because I suffer from trigeminal neuralgia (facial neuralgic pain). I started before I got my bipolar diagnose. Anyway, it helped really good against my pain.

There seems to me there is a connection between meds that help with pain and mood stabilizer. I tried Tegretol (spelling?), Dekapote and Gabapentin for pain relief (before my diagnose). The all help with chronic pain and as mood stabilizers (unfortunately not for me). So Topamax could help with it as well.

Ah, well, hope something from my blabla did make sense for you... :dizzy:

Originally Posted by kellygram:
I
Someone here said keeping some structure to your day helps. It does. Have you heard about the "10 minute rule"? Basically if you make yourself do something, keeping in mind to just try it for 10 min., that you'll prob. end up doing it longer. I used it a lot to get out and go for a walk, which made me feel better. I didn't lose weight then, it's taken me a year to level out. Once I felt "normal" again I was able to focus on getting in shape physically too.

Thanks for writing that! That is quite encouring for me to read!

control my outbursts
 

FOR controling my outbursts I took respiradol(sp) it worked very very well.
My son was taking it also different dosage as it was very for a young teen to controll outbursts but his peditrision swiched him to Abilify years ago, now you even see comercials for it on TV.
His dr said risperdol caused weight gain. But I am here to tell you I miss it, it worked very well for me.
:dizzy:

i have been diagnosed bipolar for more than 10years ( i feel like a seasoned pro) i have been on many different meds but for me i found that xanax and limictol was the best combo. i also took lexapro. those 3 together really did help me. but please be careful. limictol is a mood stabilizer....xanax for anxiety...and lexapro for depression. these 3 are VERY addictive. i also was on trazadone for sleep. also very addictive. ok so now back to the beware part...any kind of drugs that affects your hormones..i.e. birth control especially the depo shot is NOT ok for someone with bipolar to be on. as a matter of fact very few birth controls work with someone who has bipolar. if you are feeling groggy your doc can order the seroquil or adderoll to help you wake up but again..because this affects moods it is addictive and is very easy to abuse and is dangerous in those who have bipolar disorder ( type one or two) do some research. different meds reach different nuerotransmitters in our brains that will help keep the disorder under control..if you take the wrong meds it wil be working with the WRONG neurotransmitter. sorry for the medical babble but i have also studied this topic for many years and i keep up on what can help.

New To This Support Group
 

Hi,

I just signed up to 3FCD and am so happy to find some bipolar support. Yes, the meds really do make you gain weight! I have to have faith that I can do this anyway.
:dust:

Drkelly, :welcome: You'll find lots of support at 3FC!! Good luck in your journey!! You definitely can do it!! :)

Bipolar II here. Was on lithium and varying doses of seroquel for a while. I'm not sure if they contributed to my weight gain or not because I was already gaining at a pretty steady pace when I went on them.

Been off all meds for a bit more than a year now. Things get a little bit dicey sometimes, but I've generally been much happier off the meds than I was on (no more twitching, no more constant tiredness, no more zombification). I'm not suggesting anyone do this, especially without the guidance of a psychiatrist. Just saying where I'm at right now.

Anyway, i'm glad there are other bipolar chicks on here.