Treatment resistant bipolar?????

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
Treatment resistant bipolar?????
5
Mon, 03-28-2005 - 10:16pm
i was wondering if anyone of you guys know someone or are yourself treatment resistant? i've just been put on lithium and now im depressed, shaky,tearful etc. ive only been on it for a few days and im not sure if its the drug for me. i know its too soon to tell but has anyone had any adverse effects from lithium? did it work for you? ive gone thru so many combos of meds and probably a ton to go. when is enough enough? has anyone ever felt "cured" ( using the term very loosly) ive been on this BP med ride for over 2 years and nothing seems to be working. i truly am ready to throw in the towel and just take them all at the same time and just dissappear. or stop taking them altoghter and just be a nut for the rest of my life. ive actually contemplated slitting my wrist tonite. i just so tired. i don't think i'll ever get better..........
Avatar for schitz
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2004
Tue, 03-29-2005 - 12:24am

(((valerie)))

I haven't taken lithium yet. I don't think my doctor likes the idea, but I'm seeing a different doc now so who knows. My friend just started it.

I have, however, BTDT with wanting to stop meds all together. I was just wondering the same myself - if I cancelled all my appointments and stopped taking my meds who would care. I'm sure the dr's and counsellors would be too busy to realize I was even gone! Not that I'm advocating that course of action. It's just a *bad* idea that I've been fighting with.

You will find something that works. You will find ways to deal, even if medication doesn't seem to work. I saw somewhere a group for bipolars without meds...i think it was offsite, so email if you want it...seem to think that was in the TOS.

You can get through this. You are so strong. Keep holding on.

Hugs,

Amanda




Edited 3/29/2005 1:33 am ET ET by schitz

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 03-29-2005 - 7:57am

Hi Valerie...I have the most difficult form of BP to treat...ultradian cycling...and nothing is working for me either...I was put on 1200 mgs of lithium in the hospital and it worked, for 2 weeks...then i got toxic from it, and had to go to 600 mgs and its not working...my pdoc has added neurontin, and its still not working.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2003
Tue, 03-29-2005 - 1:20pm

I have been on lithium for over a year now (closer to 1 1/2). It is my miracle drug. One nice thing is that it works VERY quickly. The theraputic range is, however, very small and close to toxic. The only side effect I had from lithium was that I was EXHAUSTED. My pdoc had me lower my dosage for a week and then put me back up to the higher dose to get my body use to the meds. The only "down" side for some people is that you do need to have bloodwork done occasionally to ensure that you are in theraputic range, and that there aren't any changes to your kidney, liver, and thyroid functions.

Good luck!
Tracey

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2004
Tue, 03-29-2005 - 6:15pm

I don't think I'd classify myself as treatment-resistant and I haven't been on Lithium yet but I did play musical meds for several months.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Wed, 03-30-2005 - 8:37pm

Valerie,


Finding the right meds can be the most frustrating thing we deal with!