Bipolar Type II Support Group

Hi,

I've experienced depression on and off for years and have been treated with anti-depressants. In August 2008, my sister raised the possibility that I could be BP II. I rejected it out of hand... to cut a long story short, I was diagnosed with BP II on 19th June this year. Even though it had been floating around for a few years, it still came as a shock when my psychiatrist diagnosed it and proceeded to discuss meds with me. I'm someone who doesn't like taking meds even for a headache. Having started the BP meds on 20th June, he is gradually upping the Lamictal and I'm currently on 100mg twice a day. He also prescribed 5mg of Abilify as I was in a Hypomanic state when he saw me that day. I had previously been prescribed 30mg of Mirap for depression and continue to take that. He told me that I haven't reached the therapeutic dose for Lamictal yet and that scares me. I find I'm very tired about 2 hours after I take the Lamictal & Abilify in the morning. Is this the normal reaction to these meds? Thanks

Hi. I know the diagnosis seems to come out of no where. But looking back you're like oh Thats what happened. I take lamicatal. 200mg 2x daily. Thats the max. I've never taken Ablify. I don't get tired but meds effect everyone differently. I understand not liking taking the meds. Its hard to except that you'll probably be on them the rest of your life. The 2 most important things w/ bipolar I've found is sleep & always taking your meds. This can be hard cause when your up or your moods are stable you can be like I don't need this & stop. But if you look at bipolar as akin to diabetes lets says. A diabetic needs their insulin shots. When taken regularly they feel fine but if they stop taking it they will get sick. Its kind of the same. Its a condition we live w/ but its still hard too accept.

I take Lamictal. 225 mg twice a day. I also talk Lithium, which for me has more side effects than Lamictal.

But people react so differently that any side effect can be considered normal. Does the fatigue you get after taking the medicine pass or does it last all day?

Welcome to the group. It is overwhelming receiving this diagnosis when we don't expect it. i don't like meds either but know that I need them. I take my biggest dose of Lamictal at night and then 2 throughout the day. It does not affect my level of alertness.

Thanks Janna and everyone who replied. I'm encountering discrimination already since getting this diagnosis. I can't go into the specifics of it but I'm absolutely gutted. I can see why people keep quiet about their diagnosis, unless they have to disclose it.

Warm wishes,

thanks for your advice re: sleep and taking the meds. Today I'm just really tired. I had a nap for an hour around 11.15am and fell asleep on the sofa around 4pm this afternoon for about 30 mins. I'm cooking dinner now and will have an early night tonight.

Diagnoses are hard to take in sometimes. You will become used to the idea in time. Medications really do help. I am stable because of medications. You just have to find the right ones that will work for you. I take Lamictal and Abilify as well as others. The Abilify makes me tired. The Lamictal doesn't. I hope that you start to feel better very soon. We will be here to support you through all of this. I'm glad you joined. Welcome to the group!

Louise99, I am recently diagnosed BP2 also. Its really hard to know who to trust with this info. So far my husband, mother, sister and best friend are the only ones who know. Its unlikely I will share this information with others unless the need arises.

I am also on a gradual increase of lamictal. It doesnt make me tired though. My pharmacist said it could though and recommended for me to take it at night. Best wishes and remember... you're not alone here.

Welcome , like any illness it is difficult to get your head around BP. But as has already been stated it is a chronic illness no different than diabetes or cardiac disease. Lamictal can make you tired I take it. You do get used to it and the tiredness does get better.

The biggest key is a consistant bed time, hydration and exercise all help esspecially with the lamictal.You are not alone we are all on similar journies. Stay with us, ask questions and comment. Knowledge is power managing this disease.

I was diagnosed yesterday with BP2. I went in to an actual Psych instead of just my primary care doc for my antidepressants that had stopped working (and in hindsight never consistently worked anyway). The diagnosis was surprising, but accurate the more I research. I am on Lamictal as well and am still trying to decipher my side effects from that from my side effects of stopping my antidepressants cold turkey about a week ago (stupid, but I was SO fed up with them).

I don't mind medications, but to be honest the amount of different medications I see people taking scares me. I don't want to do that for the rest of my life. A few people I trust have been told I was diagnosed, and my mom. My mom is anti the mental health industry (with the only exception being counseling) and I could hear the disappointment and frustration in her voice.

This is the first active support group for this I have found and I'm grateful to be around people that understand. It's good to know that none of us are as alone as we feel going through this!

Chris