Home
Home | Register

Group Menu
Why wear a ribbon?
"14 year Breast Cancer Survivor" (ArtLover)
Wear a ribbon
Menu
It's Free
We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
Bipolar in the family Support Group Bipolar in the family
Online Support Group
A community of patients, family members and friends dedicated to dealing with Bipolar in the family, together.
    Join This Group    
    Ask a Question    
      Tell a Friend      
 
Bipolar Family Community Bipolar Family Support Forums General & Support Weening off some drugs?
 

Weening off some drugs?


Related Discussions:

03/26/2008 11:24
Sstephens
Green Ribbon
Posts: 38
Member

Send a PM
Give a Hug
 My husband has been diagnosed bipolar several years ago. He was on Wellbutrin only for three years. He recently had another manic episode and was put on Wellbutrin 300 mg, Depakote 2-500 mg per day, and Invega 3 mg. We are looking for alternatives to the Depakote, but is it likely that he could be taken off at least one of these completely? Like could he take just the depakote and Wellbutrin, or will he always be on all three? I'm so new to this and I don't understand the difference between how the Invega and the Depakote treat his illness!
Post Reply   Quote


03/26/2008 13:09
morningglory/oldglory
Gold Ribbon
Posts: 1903
VIP Member

Send a PM
Give a Hug
 Welcome Sstephens....only a doctor can answer these questions. Please use your computer to do some medication searches. Type in the drug and it will take you to a site that will explain it.` What it is for..the usual dosage.. the side effects, and about everything you want to know... If there is something you don't understand, please come back here and one of us can help you understand it better. Happy hunting ... hope to hear from you soon

Gloria.
Post Reply   Quote


03/26/2008 16:27
TerriTee
Green Ribbon
Posts: 950
Group Leader

Send a PM
Give a Hug
 Hello Sstephens, and welcome to the group. Gloria is right about the doctor being the one to make decisions. However, I wanted to let you know that my husband was on depakote last year. It left him very flat emotionally. He was not depressed, but was never really happy, either. He just wasn't himself. Last Oct., he began taking Lamactil and is much more himself, laughing and joking again. So yes, in my experience the meds can be adjusted to improve things! Talk to his doc. if you have concerns, and I'm sure they will work with you. Hang in and hope to hear from you again soon.

Terri

Most people don't know that there are angels whose only job is to make sure you don't get too comfortable & fall asleep & miss your life - Brian Andreas



Popular posts by TerriTee
    Where to start?
Post Reply   Quote


03/27/2008 07:35
WARHORSE
Black Ribbon
Posts: 639
Group Leader

Send a PM
Give a Hug
 Sstephens: The Wellbutrin is an antidressant, which my husband also takes. The Depakote is a mood stabilizer. Like TerriTee's husband, mine was switched from Depakote to Lamictal, which he responded much better to. Invega is an anti-psychotic (new one on me, too!), which helps prevent manic episodes.

Be thankful he's only taking three per day. My husband takes six different meds in two daily doses. It took a long time to find the "right" combination. I periodically adjust his dosages, given what I see in his behavior. But I've been dealing with this for 12 years and feel capable of doing so. He no longer takes a daily dose of any antipsychotic drugs, but we have them in the medicine cabinet for special occasions... We refer to them as the "big guns"...

LOL!

"Is this a blessing? Or is it a curse?
Does it get any better? Can it get any worse?
Will it go on forever? Is it over tonight?
Does it come with the darkness? Does it bring out the light?
Is it richer than diamonds? Or just a little cheaper than spit?"--Jim Steinham
Post Reply   Quote


03/27/2008 11:02
Sstephens
Green Ribbon
Posts: 38
Member

Send a PM
Give a Hug
 Thanks for all of the advice. I have done research on a lot of the drugs but, being new to all of this, I'm just starting to understand all of the lingo (mood stabilizer, anti-psychosis, manic episode, etc). We are struggling with the medical system available here. We seem to be jumping through hoops and answering the same questions over and over. He's only actually seen "his doctor" once (he was out sick last time) and "his" case-worker apparently quit. No one let us know this until we had already driven into the city for the appointment he supposedly had. Anyways, I plan on asking the doctor about Lamictal next time we actually see him, as I have seen such good reports on this site.

Thanks again. Hopefully we can get it right soon. I love him and I'll be with him as long as it takes!
Post Reply   Quote



Start a New Discussion

Disclaimer: The information provided in MDJunction is not a replacement for medical diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical advice. Read More.
Contact Us | Bookmark Us | Add a Doctor | For Doctors | FAQ | Awareness Ribbons
About Us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Get Involved
Copyright (c) 2008 MDJunction.com All Rights Reserved