Bipolar and ideas of how to help ourselves beyond medication

What meds seem to help most ? Any other modalities?

I wanted to introduce into this discussion @mrser52, who mentioned a bipolar 1 disorder in another Connect thread.

A number of you have posted about your bipolar disorder and things that have been helpful to you with this diagnosis. Wanted to check in with some of you to see how things are going. I think your responses will be helpful to many in this discussion.

@tdib - have you found a medication that has helped you? You'll note @luckyjoy also was asking about a medication that might help most. luckyjoy - have you by chance found something that works well to control your symptoms?

@sdixon - have you experienced any more of the hand and arm shakes, or have they continued to stay away? Have the lithium, fluoxetine (Prozac) and trazodone improved your symptoms from BP1?

@healthytoday - how are your bipolar symptoms lately? Are you currently taking medications, or managing with other strategies? Any suggestions for those looking for the right medication(s)?

My name is Elaine and I am new to the group, and I would like to ask if anyone has taken the medication Hydroxyzine 25mg. tablets? I just went off this medication on June 17 2019 because I was having hallucinations on this drug. anyone else have this problem?

Unfortunately I experienced tremors and shakes for the time that I was taking lithium. I felt ridiculously better mentally, but physically I just deteriorated. I couldn't eat barely anything and....it was just (mostly) all bad. So I had to take myself off of that. And then, idk how else to say it, dark thoughts came back almost immediately and very potently. However, I can work when on no meds, and not when I'm on those meds. I wish this had worked better. I've been bipolar for a long while, but only aware that it was bipolar recently. Lithium made me feel the best mentally I have ever felt. Ever. In my life. But I wasn't able to survive physically on it. I hope that since I can get my benefits back soon, that I can maybe find another medication that doesn't harm me so much in the side effects. I cycle quickly again now. It's more extreme and frequent, but I'm learning how to deal without meds. and with a mental illness I don't fully get....and that I still resent more than a little bit, I figure I'm doing all right.

Sorry I don't have a more sunshine and roses answer for you,

I have a awful time with bipolar1 medications, most of the time I just stop taking them because I can't stand the side effects.

I have experience with one and it didn't go well. Well, not physically. I think that's what makes me so bitter about this is that I could finally rest a little because the Lithium made things less chaotic mentally. But then I would spend hours (literally hours) being psychically sick, and that only got better when I stopped taking lithium.

I take it occasionally for itching and have noticed recently I will have strange vivid dreams at night after taking it at bedtime.

I would like to try the newer medications for Bipolar1 but they are so expensive.

I would like to join conversation as well. I am bi polar and have OCD and high blood pressure. I would appreciate any comments suggestions on how I can improve the quality of my life. Life is not the same as it used to be. I do exercise on stationary bike; 105 degrees makes it difficult and unmanageable for walks even early am. I really need guidance. I have an appt with Breast Dr to look at suspicious areas on my breast, a Cardiologist and my Psych next week. My Psych wants to discuss with me an OCD therapist. Just need to see things in a different perspective. Thanks, Mary Ann

I switched to Latuda after being on Seroquel for four years. They are okay. I can get them more reasonable through mail order. Don’t know if they are any better; just doesn’t have as bad as side effects of Seroquel. Still have side effects though.