Anyone with Bipolar spectrum disorders?

@hopalongnm3 You are looking to connect with members that are on the Bipolar.

You will notice that I added this discussion to the Mental Health group as well. I did this so you could connect with members like @marjou @lucky @sarahzx @sadeyes @hotfooted @fiddler91 have discussed bipolar disorder in the past and may wish to weigh in on the conversation.

Below I have linked a few previous discussions related to bipolar disorder. If you haven't already done so, you may wish to scroll through the previous posts and read the comments and suggestions.
- Lithium: Haven't been taking it as I should. Odd side effects https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lithium-1/
- Bipolar and ECT Treatments https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/bipolar-and-ect-treatments/

I'm wondering if you can give me some background? Are you currently in therapy and what is your therapy history?

Hi thank you for answering so soon. My original diagnosis is ptsd from early childhood trauma. I also now carry GAD and BPD type 2. Several meds have been tried on me, none of them able to alleviate anxiety and depression. I failed several ADs and unfortunately was self treating because of spotty insurance coverage.

I was dx’d 21/2 years ago with BPD. I recently wit(drew from Ativan and lyrica and mirtazapine. I am followed by a new MD who is continuing me on Li 600 Er mg at night. My last Li level was 1.2 on the regular Lithium 600 mg.
I have been tried on Abilify and Saphris which triggered a real mania like I have never had in my life with real suicidal ideation.

In October I took Cipro for a UTI which flipped me into acute benzodiazepine withdrawal. I was seen briefly in the Psych ER, where they advised me to go back on the Ativan. I am now free of that drug. My last dose was December 12, 2020.

I have not been able to access a CBT therapist in Albuquerque.

I am 69, recently retired after a 40 years career- 20 years as an RN, mostly in ICU and ER, and the last 20 as an NP boarded in Family practice and Psych The last 5 years in the VA in Albuquerque.

With the ACE, I have been in and out of therapy since ago 20
I am getting exhausted as I don’t feel better and am very discouraged.

Laurie

Please do not feel discouraged. I, too, was diagnosed with BPI in my late 20s and am now 69. I have been on many combinations of medicines. What I have found is that medications can stop working for no discernible reason, then you have to start over to find a combination that works. My main drugs now are Lamotrogine, Bupropion, and Sertraline (Zoloft). I was on Lithium and Prozac for years, but that changed when Prozac stopped working and Lithium was known to impair the kidneys. It sounds like your doctor is trying very new drugs. Hang in there!

Please see my reply to @hopalongnm3, above. For anxiety, I have been given clonazapine, which I only take when it’s extreme.

@tooleyb Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You have used many different combinations of medications and you have support to offer @hopalongnm3 and other members that have not yet found their successful combination.

I'm wondering what you did and what happened that resulted in your successfully treating your bipolar disorder? Was it a good provider/doctor, a supportive family, innate resilience, and/or something more?

Thank you. Was it difficult in terms of anxiety or suicidal ideation to get off Lithium? How are your kidneys now?

Hi. I don’t feel that it is successfully treated yet.

Having gone through withdrawal from bentos, I am very reluctant to use them again

@hopalongmn3 may I interrupt and just say I noticed your comment as get emails from mayoconnect. I was on "benzos" over 15 years... was given togther with Zoloft and no one told me addictive. I was taken off quickly, after last 5 pills but a "new" psychiatrist and my gp put me back on half dose...even going on half dose was horrible. I have no dr so almost felt like a drug seeker, finally a kidney specialist gave me prescrdiption and i am back on original dose of 0.5mg daily. Honestly fromt he heart I wish I had never been put on them; I wish I had received help getting off them (I was left to my own devices) and I am sorry that I had to go back on them but had insomnia six months and with depression not good. I didnt go back on the Zoloft and am now refusing anti depressants even if it means negative for me... am getting counselling and thing is I am older - 77 - and have a host of other physical illnesses and another has just cropped up. Wont repeat what i have said on here before but have Glaucoma and really shouldnt even be on Clonazepam as raises eye pressure but other antideprssants are worse, also I had Iridotomy last year holes in eyes laser to let pressure out of eyes. I am just a nobody but I would say: weight the pros and cons; we know our bodies and our lives; realize there is no quick fix; take age into consideration and whether or not have family or social support (I dont even have a family doctor) and hope for the best. Some people's mountains ARE higher to climb; some people like me even find the hills too steep but my get up and go got up and went. Good for you to be able to get off a highly addictive med by the way! Sorry just typing this quickly so excuse errors... J.

A psychiatrist said I was bipolar. And then I watched youtubes on ADHD and borderline personality disorder. Seems these three are similar and I was ADHD as a kid. Does it matter? Just my own version of reality. Meds can help at times and do nothing at other times. It's so illusive. Hang in there, stay well from that little monster covid.