Bipolar medication side effects: Trading one problem for another.

Posted by Elaine R. @mrser52, Jun 22, 2019

I feel that my bipolar medications work but I just can't deal with the side effects they cause, they are just as bad as my bipolar problems. So the answer I came up with is just stop taking my medications. So I stopped them, I don't care anymore.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Mental Health Support Group.

Elaine R. | @mrser52 | Jul 8, 2019

No, he dose not know that I stopped it. Bipolar meds just don't work for me so I am all done with them.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jul 9, 2019

In reply to @mrser52 "No, he dose not know that I stopped it. Bipolar meds just don't work for me..." + (show)

I'd really encourage you to touch base with your doctor about what you experienced and to ensure your taper off the medication goes safely and smoothly, @mrser52. I think that doctors get that medication side effects are sometimes too much to tolerate.

Do you have access to a support group for patients with bipolar disorder? If not, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) may have local support groups they can connect you to, 800-950-NAMI, info@nami.org.

What other ideas have been given to you by your doctor — or have you seen in your own experience -— for managing your symptoms?

Elaine R. | @mrser52 | Jul 9, 2019

They have talked about ECT's , I can't do them because of my brain tumor. There just isn't anything more that I can try, because I have tried them all over the course of 30 years.

secretwhitepop | @secretwhitepop | Jul 9, 2019

Meditation has helped me... just throwing that out there. 🙂

Elaine R. | @mrser52 | Jul 9, 2019

They just don't work for me.

Elaine R. | @mrser52 | Jul 12, 2019

Dose anyone know if it is safe to have ECT treatments when you have a intracranial meningioma brain tumor?

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 12, 2019

In reply to @mrser52 "Dose anyone know if it is safe to have ECT treatments when you have a intracranial..." + (show)

Hello @mrser52

While I don't have an answer to your question I do recommend that you consult with a highly experienced neurologist before proceeding with ECT treatments. If you are near a university medical center or a Mayo Clinic that would be your best place to get a second opinion.

Just wondering if the ECT is being recommended for long term depression. If so, what other depression treatments have you tried?
Also, have you had surgery for this brain tumor?

Please remember that "an informed decision is the best decision", so get plenty of information and opinions from highly reliable sources.

Elaine R. | @mrser52 | Jul 12, 2019

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @mrser52 While I don't have an answer to your question I do recommend that you..." + (show)

It is for my Bipolar 1 server depression. And medications don't work for me, they make me worse or the side effects are so bad. and I have not had surgery for this they are watching it. I did have 5 radiation treatments for it in December 2017. and it is stable. I will have another MRI in August 2019. It is Pine Rest Mental Health Hospital in Grand Rapids MI. that want to do the ECT's,

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 12, 2019

In reply to @mrser52 "It is for my Bipolar 1 server depression. And medications don't work for me, they make..." + (show)

Thanks for the added information, @mrser52. Have you sought any other opinions regarding ECT treatments and how they might affect the intracranial meningioma brain tumor?

If not, I would certainly encourage you to do so.