What has and hasn't worked for bipolar mood swings?

Posted by resa83 @resa83, May 23 10:26am

I obtained traumatic brain injury on left frontal lobe therefore diagnosed with bipolar. I never have depression and have minor anxiety but have serious consistent mood swings. I just started auvelity 45-105mg as of 10 minutes ago. I had very bad reactions to vraylar and caplyta they made it worse! I've had other meds as well. Currently taking cymbalta for my back and for anxiety. Thank you to anyone who responds.

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diverdown1 | @diverdown1 | May 24 8:43am

Gabapentin helped me with my mood swings, however I am not bipolar. My brother is, I will ask him what has helped. It has taken him a long time to find a good mix of medication. I also take Cymbalta (30 mg) lowest dose, for depression. It brought me out of the hole, so that is good. Do you have a good shrink?

depressedbutnotdead | @depressedbutnotdead | May 24 1:21pm

I'm bipolar 2. After antidepressants backfired on me in a very frightening way, my psychiatrist and I decided to try lamotrigine, which has been a lifesaver. Severe mood swings dating back to childhood simply stopped when I began taking it at 59. It's now been two and a half years without a single severe depressive episode, down from several major bouts a year since grade school.

It's not a wonder drug, and according to this article, depending on the condition it might not work or it might need to be used in conjunction with other medications. But in a lot of cases it can be effective.
https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/lamotrigine-an-update-on-its-role-in-bipolar-disorder
For me the most critical thing above all is to be actively involved in decision making regarding treatment. It's worth your time to do a bit of research before starting anything so that you make an informed choice. I cannot stress the importance of staying exclusively with credible sources if you do this. Don't go to Facebook or Reddit, go either to the research papers themselves or publications like the one I linked that draw their information from research papers. You don't want to work yourself into a panic, you simply want to make an informed choice.

Too often online groups can be sources of misinformation and alarmism. This forum isn't. It's well monitored. So you're in a good place for discussing your issues. Listen to everyone, not just me, and work with your provider as a participant, not simply as a recipient.

Also, talk therapy has helped me tremendously. Despite the success I've had with medication, I've stayed in it. That's always a safe option. There are no potential physical side effects to worry about. And just talking about it can be a huge relief. You don't feel so alone with it.

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