New here, husband dx w/BiPolar
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| Thu, 07-13-2006 - 6:48pm |
Hello all,
I'm new here, and some questions.
I've thought for years that my hubby (25) had BiPolar. He was finally diagnosed this week with it. Both his psycologist & Primary care physician have diagnosed him with a mild case mostly depression based. The primary Dr wants him to take Depakote. I looked it up and that stuff has the most wicked side affects. I know, as with all meds its possible not to have any side affects but encepholopathy (sp?), liver disease, pancreatitis, etc, aint nothing to laugh at.
Does anyone here have any experience with Depakote? Does it help? Side affects, etc?
My main goal is to find something natural for him to take. Most people laugh when I say that but I'm still going to try. Neither of us want him on this crud that's going to cause health problems. We have 3 kids and want him around to live a happy, and normal life as possible. Not gorked up on meds all day.... Anyone know any natural remedies? He tried something called Serenity - its a natural form of Lithium. He's been taking the max dose for almost a week now. The only thing he's noticed is that he feels like he's constantly in slow motion. Cannot concentrate, etc. I haven't noticed any changes in his behavior/moods. I was looking into some other things that have a mixture of herbal remedies (Liquid Health's Attention, etc) Is there anything he shouldn't take (besides SAMe) that could make it worse?
Last question - SORRY its so long !!!
Since its believed to be genetic (we believe his father has it) what are the chances our girls will get it?
Thank you so much, in advance, for your help. I do appreciate it...
God bless,
Pamela

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Hi Pamela,
Sorry if I confused you. You are right, in that every person is affected differently by different meds. Actually 250 mgs of Depakote is a low dose. I'm also on what's considered a low dose of 500 mgs. My pdoc is talking about possibly upping it once the lithium is totally out of my system. The whole reason for the lithium in the first place was because the 500 mgs of depakote wasn't working. But, yes the depakote is more for the manic cycles.
As for the natural form of the lithium that dh is taking, do you know of a homeopathic doc in your area that you could talk to? I don't know how close the chemically based lithium is to the natural form. There could be a huge difference or a minor difference. I was on 1200 mgs before I was pulled off of the lithium and I was a basket case. At 900 I was noticing the tremors but at 300 and 600 I was fine. So, I guess it depends on what dose he's taking and his metablolism/weight/build etc.
I don't have any knowledge of ADD/ADHD meds. I'm sorry about that. But, I would think that if something didn't work at the age of 4 it might be worth trying again. Our body chemistry's change as we grow, therefore it would stand to reason that we could reintroduce a chemical to our system with a positive result.
I hope I was able to clear up some of your confusion.
Hugs,
Traci
Pam,
I was the one that made the comment about Depakote being more for mania--that came straight from my PDR, but your doc may have another take on it.
I too suffer far more from the depressive side of BP (was misdx'd w/just depression for years--a common mistake) and you do need to be careful with AD's as they can flip you into mania, but on the other hand they can save your life.
Neurontin IS a prescription medication. But, in my experience, most pdocs will let people try it if they've a mind.
Express!
Beth "Petrouchka"
God could not be everywhere, so
I'm April. DH and I have bp. We were told that our son has a 75% chance of getting it. If it were just one it would be a 50% chance. My phsych told us to give him a childrens omega 3 fatty acid. Said it will be good for his developing brain and will most likely help with depression in the long run. We pray that he doestn' get it but that if he does we will be able to get him the help he needs. Good luck in finding what you are looking for.
April
Lori,
Yea for some reason BiPolar, from what I read, its almost always misdiagnosed mostly as ADD or ADHD. All the shrinks thought my hubby had ADHD when in fact he was BiPolar.
What is this effexor? What is the difference between a BiPolar med & a mood stabilizer?
I'm not too concerned with my kids getting it at this point. I mean, yes, it concerns me but I cannot think of that & deal with all this at the same time or I'll lose it. This is a bit much to deal with... I read that most BiPolars' symptoms are brought out by stressors such as abuse, or a stressful event. Hopefully with DH getting help our kids can avoid any serious stressful event !
Thanks again,
God bless,
Pamela
For information on how to effectively control your PCOS naturally visit
NO ! No worries. Your post didn't confuse me. I was so grateful for everyone's posts & info it was just A LOT to take in ! What to take, what not to take, side affects, etc. Phew ! I'm still trying to process it all really.
The natural form of Lithium he's taking says: 360mg of Lithium Orotate which provides 13.8mg of elemental Lithium. Whatever that means !! Here's the products website, maybe one of you guys can tell me if its ok or not:
www.findserenitynow.com
THANKS again,
Pamela
For information on how to effectively control your PCOS naturally visit
Ok all, one more question...
This mania or "manic phase". From what I read it was considered an overwhelming hiper or happy phase. Where you can go without sleep, make bad/quick decisions, etc.
DH's primary said that the manic phase can also include anger. My hubby has some WICKED anger issues. He'll get upset/angry at the slightest thing and takes everything so incredibly personal as an attack. Does "anti mania" meds help with this anger or is the primary full of crud?
She's my primary as well and its quite intelligent, more so than most primary's but this is all new to me and it seems to be different from what his psy. Dr said. He sees him today so we'll see what he says.
What about DHA for kids, does this seem to help with brain development and hopefully prevent depression and/or BiPolar?
Should my girls only be on Omega 3 or should they take all (3, 6 & 9) for the most benefits?
THANKS again to you all, what blessings you've been...
Pamela
For information on how to effectively control your PCOS naturally visit
To answer at least one of your questions:
A mood stabilizer prevents the mood swings associated with bipolar disorder, often the manic side. One, lamictal, prevents swings to the depressed side. In my experience, a mood stabilizer that prevents manic swings usually also does something to prevent depressed swings (I haven't taken an antidepressant in years).
A bipolar med would be any med taken to relieve symptoms of bipolar- mood stabilizers, antidepressants, tranquilizers, antipsychotics, and maybe even sleeping pills (some bipolars, like me, have trouble sleeping a lot, and that can be dangerous because lack of sleep can bring on mania).
Anyone feel free to add to this!
Express!
Beth "Petrouchka"
Hi Pamela,
Actually my DH was first diagnosed with ADD, then he started on ritalin, and became very depressed. One Dr. thinks he has both bipolar and ADD, which is quite common. He has been on and off ritalin the past couple of years, I don't really like the drug, but I think it does keep him motivated at work, and able to do a better job at work. My 13 yr. old is also on it, but I don't like that either, although his marks went way up when he went on it. He is very smart, but just didn't do the work before. I also have both of them on the fish oil as well.
The effexor my DH is on is an antidepressant. Without it, I really don't know if he would be alive today. He has had it increased a couple of times, and is now at a high dose. It doesn't really make him manic. His mania is not bad though, he just gets really hyper and doesn't do anything too stupid. The mood stabilzer is a drug used to treat bipolar disorder. His is called Divalproex, which maybe keeps him from getting manic on the AD. My DH has bipolar II, and doesn't get too bad, but the depression is what is terrible. I try to get him to exercise and eat right, but that doesn't always happen. It is really a roller coaster sometimes living with him. He used to be on an antipsycotic drug, I forget the name, but that was terrible. He didn't really need it, and it made him so drowsy all the time.
I hope your DH does well with whatever he is on, whether it be natural products or medication. I have always been one for natural anything and over the years I have spent a lot of money at the health food store!!! If it works, then why not!
Take care,
Lori
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