Bipolar Support Group

Hello Everyone. I decided to join in this group to hopefully get some answers from those who have experienced some of the different bipolar medications and treatment options. Thank you for letting me join in and ask a question or two.

I am 18 years old and was just barely (June 07') diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder. I was taken off of my previously prescribed depression meds, Celexa, being that they could have exacerbated the bi-polar symptoms. I was also on Klonopin for anxiety and Adderall for ADD.

My doctor took me off all of the medications listed above, and put me on Geodon for the bipolar. I've noticed my jaw feeling unusually tight, feeling almost "spaced out" and drowsy, and becoming more easily aggitated.

The worst thing that has happend of all after starting Geodon is my frustration levels. For instance there are things (reports, work, etc.) that I need to accomplish... but my mind gets "lazy" (for lack of a better word) and just doesn't want to do it, although the task at hand is something critical that needs to be done. It's like I do not have motivation to complete tasks that I used to be able to do just fine.

I am wondering if perhaps I was not correctly diagnosed. When I went to see my doctor the first time about bipolar disorder he said that I definitely had symptoms, but he was "on the fence" as to whether I was truly bipolar or not because of my young age. Do Adderall and bipolar medication work in opposite ways? I had nothing but success while using Adderall, it helped me to not lose my concentration and to stay focused. Would Adderall have a helping effect on someone who truly is bipolar, or would it do more damage than good?

I'm am simply curious in regards to the medication factor of everything. Are these side effects from Geodon specific to the medication, or is this a sign as to whether I am bipolar or not?

I apoligize for the length of this post, I'm sure you are all wishing my Words Per Minute would get knocked down a couple dozen .

Thank you for reading this, and any help or insight would be amazing. Thank you so much.

Post edited by: set2007, at: 07/05/2007 09:45

Hi Zack and welcome to the group!

I hope you'll find the answers you're looking for, anyway, I'm sure you'll find friends here who understand what you're going through.

cheers,

Alon

I'm 35, diagnosed BP at 22. Been on nearly every BP med there is, it seems. Geodon gave me the same side-effects you mentioned. Lately I've been struggling through a nasty depression, so after all else failed, my doc put me on 40mg of Adderall. I was hesitant to use it because two years ago I was taking 20mg and ended up in a psychotic mania. But that was my last manic episode. I'm on the Adderall now for almost a month and not feeling the least bit hypomanic. Better concentration, motivation, less apathy, but still low-grade depression and some tiredness. Now I'm wondering if I have ADHD! How can a med completely change it's effect on you after a couple years?

Hello again.

Just returned from my doctor's appointment, where he switched me from Geodon to Ambilify - saying the side effects would be less likely to include drowsiness, but instead possible wrestlessness.

I'm hoping I don't see any of those side effects I saw with Geodon. Such as becoming more irritable than usual. Has anyone else had some good experiences with Ambilify?

Hey,

My daughter has bipolar-diagnosed at the age of 19. SHe has ADD, too. SHe takes adderral and topomax which has helped her tremendously. Now her Dad is a recovering addict and using topomax. He cycles bad and we are going to leave the addiction psychiatrist and see the bipolar expert. The topomax definitely helps. His father killed himself at the age of 52. I know my husband has serious depression. It is very hard to deal with each day. he lied to my for years about his narcotic use, yet held a job and cam ehome to me everynight. I think he was unfaithful, but wont admit it.

Lately I have been seeing a dr. for panic attacks. I am doing fine on mild celexa. Our motto is one day at a time.

I seen my husband go from working days, nights, and all the time to barely getting off the couch. He said he craved the narcotics-which I am sure are not the cause of his depression. The drugs helped him with his depression and mania until he got addicted and became a liar and indifferent.

I understand that bipolar is not the person it is the disease.

So bipolar and add are more often than not diagnosed togther, not either or.

I approached my doctor about using adderall with my medication but he wasn't too fond of the idea. He said that the adderall would make the bipolar worse.

Don't quite understand, but I'm not the doctor so I'll leave it to him . I do miss the adderall though, it helped in mounds.

My daughter was losing track of her memory. SHe could not sit still or concentrate on anything very long. Her sleep patterns were very irregular, but it worked. SHe is so stable now and happy. The adderall works for her concentration and the topomax helps her moods and sleep. She takes three topomax a day for the past year.

Now the topomax works for her father. However, his addiction psychiatrist refuses to give him the adderal for addictive reasons.

I think the adderal would help him, too, and if monitored it could be very effective. Bipolar struck his brother and sisters as well as taken his father's life at the age of 52-never officially diagnosed.

Each person needs different meds. Do what works for you.

Best wishes.

Hi Zack,

I'm having similar problems. I am twenty and was on Adderall for about 30 days when I had a manic episode. Come to find out, I was on the wrong medication. I was taking Adderall because I thought I was ADD or ADHD. However, I found out the hard way that I am neither one. My doctor diagnosed me as Bipolar because of my manic episode--a side effect of the Adderall.

I think the only reason why my doctor diagnosed me as being Bipolar was because my mom is. I already know that Bipolar is genetic, but it seems as though the people at the hospital have NO evidence except my ONE manic episode from Adderall (not to sound like I'm repeating myself but mania is a side-effect!) and Bipolar running in my family.

To me, that's not enough to diagnose me as anything. I'm on medication right now: Lithium and Abilify. I just got out of the hospital last friday. I already feel abnormal. I feel as though I'm going into depression. I'm usually a very happy, optimistic person. But now, I'm not enjoying the things that I usually do (like listening to music). I have to concentrate REALLY hard on everything I do. I'm not totally depressed, but I do not feel normal at all. ALL of my friends and family have noticed my mood change. Like you, I get aggravated very easily--especially with my little brothers. I just don't feel right at all! I'm supposed to go to group therapy, but I hate going because EVERYONE is depressed, which doesn't help my mood at all.

I would love to talk to you more about this topic.

Thanks for listening!

Megan

And...I'm posting again.

Adderall would make someone who is Bipolar worse because one would shoot up into mania with a methamphedimine like Adderall. That's what happened to me! DON'T MIX THE TWO! Trust me. I went crazy, even if I don't know I'm Bipolar. I was hearing, seeing, and thinking very far-fetched things.

I thought I was apart of a research group, and all of my doctors (dentist, general, school teachers, my ex-boyfriend's dad, etc) were ganging up on me and I had to figure out the puzzle so that I would get free schooling. It was INSANE! I'm going into psychology, so I'm glad I experienced delusional thinking. However, I would never want to do it again!

The brain does amazing things! You're right, listen to your doctor!

I was diagnosed as bipolar at the age of around 10 or so. Then after moving and seeing a different pysch I was diagnosed as Bipolar with ADD. But of course like many others are saying it made be go hyper manic. Crazy delusional thoughts, the whole nine yards. Some of the symptoms of ADD can also be associated with manic symptoms. I think that is why it is sometimes misdiagnosed.