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jtassar93
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Default Mar 23, 2020 at 11:02 PM
  #1
Hey everyone. I haven’t been well lately and have been in and out of the hospital. I’m home now and stuck here, just as anxious as ever.

If ANYONE could PLEASE read this and help in any way at all, I would really appreciate it.

I’m currently on 4 medications:
-Seroquel 600mg
-Lithium 900mg
-Trileptal 900mg
-Valium 30mg (throughout the day)

I’ve gone through MANY psychiatrists. Some last longer than others. Some don’t seem to care about helping. Some want you in and out as fast as possible. The thing is; I’m still working on finding a good psychiatrist for me.

These are the things I deal with:
-Bipolar 1
-Literally every type of anxiety disorder
-Panic disorder
-OCD (horrible)
-Depression
-dissociation/derealization/depersonalization

At least 2 medications I’m on, I NEED to be on. The Trileptal and Valium combination controls my derealization to a very tricky/manageable level to where I feel like I’m not losing my mind. I have been on Lithium and Seroquel combination for awhile now and not really sure. I think it does a decent job at controlling my bipolar, but I still do swing WAY high and WAY low. Extremely manic and psychotic and depressed and psychotic.

My question is to all of you who have anything similar; what meds work for you? I know not everything works the same for everyone but I need an idea. I’ve tried so so many medications throughout the years. I want to find a decent combo.

Because of everything going on, my next appointment will be over the phone. I want to bring up something new. I’ve been researching medications I’ve never taken but all end up not ‘compatible’ with some med I’m on it another diagnosis.

All I want is some combination that:
-controls my bipolar
-lessens my anxiety by any amount at ALL
-lessens my amount of panic attacks
-lessens depression
-lessens OCD

I know it sound like a lot, but I think with the right combo of 4 or 5 medications I could be feeling way better than I do now.

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Default Mar 24, 2020 at 06:18 AM
  #2
Hi jtassar. I'm sorry you're struggling now and have had to deal with psychiatrists that were less than ideal. We've all been there and many here still are.

I'm sure you've heard the trite "What works for one doesn't work for another." I've also found that some medications don't work well enough at some points, but do at others.

Your medication combo looks reasonable, to me, but a tweak or single change may make a difference. I'd be hesitant to make a complete overhaul right now, especially considering the Coronavirus 19. Frankly, your mix isn't that different than mine other than your Lithium and my Lamictal. Tegretol and Trileptal have many similarities.

What is the worst aspect of your bipolar disorder right now? Mania? Depression? Mixed state? That is important. If mania, maybe another antipsychotic could help? Or a second one? I've been on more than one antipsychotic at a time, in the past. If you have mania, I would be sure any changes wouldn't affect your sleep negatively. If you're depressed, maybe you need something slightly activating (Lamictal?).

I have struggled with bad anxiety issues in the past, and still have minor ones, on occasion, but not OCD. As for other medications for that, I have no suggestions. I will suggest learning some powerhouse anxiety fighting coping skills and practicing (and practicing) to master some. For depersonalization/derealization, grounding techniques. Remember that no medication(s) alone usually does/do 100%. You need the therapeutic tools and the healthiest low stress lifestyle possible, too. Not just for anxiety disorders, but also for bipolar. I'm extremely serious about this! I know. If your therapist isn't stressing this, they are not doing their job well. I assume you have a therapist in addition to a psychiatrist.

Last edited by Anonymous46341; Mar 24, 2020 at 09:20 AM..
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Default Mar 24, 2020 at 08:46 AM
  #3
Hi!

I am very happy to see you, yet sad you are having a tough time.

I hear you about your challenges. I just want to say: You seem much better than you have in the past. Your post is much more organized and clearer, too.

I also recall your having difficulty finding a pdoc who would listen to you, along with having transportation difficulties.

How are you doing in you daily life? Are you functioning well?

Honestly, I would reread BirdDancer's post and would take her suggestions!
She has a lot of knowledge and experience.

I am so happy to know you are still working on having a better life!
Much Love to You!

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Default Mar 24, 2020 at 10:04 AM
  #4
My diagnosis looks quite similar to yours. A medication that has helped calm my (terrible) anxiety is a 1st generation AP called Trilafon.

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Default Mar 24, 2020 at 12:01 PM
  #5
I have schizoaffective bipolar type and PTSD. I take Risperdal, Ativan, and Prazosin, all I have no complaints about. I do think talking things through with a therapist has helped my anxiety from PTSD more than any med ever has.

I hope things turn around for you soon
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Default Mar 24, 2020 at 12:03 PM
  #6
Hey, jtassar. So very sorry you are struggling with these difficult issues. Many people here on this forum can relate personally. I have panic attacks and +++ anxiety when in mixed states. For me, the only med that has ever really directly helped with those things has been Klonopin. The problem with that is that it aggravates my depression, big-time, and also makes me a zombie. So, I won't take it anymore. Was on Buspar for a long time. Don't think it did a thing. Some folks say Seroquel helps with their anxiety, but it has not done so for me. To the extent that a person's anxiety symptoms are related to underlying and coexisting mania, a good mood stabilizer can sometimes also help. I am on both lithium and Depakote for this reason, in part.

My illness is currently very psychosis-dominant and my anxiety is, at times, through the stratosphere. As I am not on any anxiety meds, I rely solely on coping skills. Specifically, deep breathing/Buddhist breathing, a la Thich Nhat Hanh, for example/whatever your term of preference is for this sort of thing. It is hugely helpful when I am in a panic and out of control. Prayer is also a go-to. Exercise (ride the bike) and yoga help a ton. I also find CBT and DBT to be very helpful in coping with anxiety. I use both every day, often, multiple times per day.
Med changes may certainly help, but as wisely pointed out above, every patient responds differently. You will just have to sort through this with your pdoc, preferably, one change at a time.
Sending you support and strength and perseverence!! You can do this!!!

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Default Mar 24, 2020 at 01:31 PM
  #7
Thanks to everyone who replied! It’s nice to see some familiar names. I did read through everyone’s thoughts and ideas.

Personally in life right now I haven’t been in a psych ward for 2 months and doing ‘ok’. I still live at home with transportation issues. We found a psychiatrist (my current one) that works well with my moms schedule. Which is why it’s sucks that she isn’t working out and I will have to find a new one soon. But that’s for later.

I’m not planning on asking for a complete med change in these times, especially since it’s over the phone. I just wanted to possibly mention one change or tweak in something because what I have now is not 100% and I do not want to go back to the hospital with all these scary things happening. (I have major paranoia to begin with) and in there no visitors are allowed now.

My major issue for the bipolar part is either mixed or depressed episodes. I am mixed a lot. Both types of episodes I can become psychotic which is horrible. I also have manic episodes of course but I’m mixed or depressed more than manic.

I read through all the medications everyone mentioned. I’m trying to remember them all. I’m allergic to Lamictal. I can’t be on another Benzo because I’m on Valium and you can’t be on more than one. I unfortunately can not be off of Valium because that is one of the meds that I spent a year finding to help my dissociation/derealization. Buspar doesn’t do anything for me and I’ve already been on it in the past.

As for mood stabilizers I only know if Lithium that has done anything for me.

I do know for anxiety/ocd/dissociation you need to do more than just meditations. My stays in the hospital have helped me with that. I practice breathing and grounding things. It’s helps some and I’m still working on it, it’s just that my anxiety and panic is always off the charts. Anyone who ever has me as a patient or takes my vitals is shocked because no matter what my blood pressure and heart rate and amount of panic attacks is sky high. No matter what. And I don’t have high blood pressure (we’ve checked). So even with grounding and meds I suffer really bad. My anxiety and panic make me not leave the house and I still have many panic and anxiety attacks at home. The same is for my dissociation. I know what it is, but since my panic is so intense, my episode of dissociation turns into a REALLY REALLY bad episode. Where I am screaming and crying and don’t believe I’m real. I unintentionally self harm. I end up with black eyes and bruises and scratches from my nails. It never ends well. The trileptal and Valium combo has made that decrease but it is still there.

I hope I replied to everyone.

I was looking if anyone had maybe a different dosage of lithium that works for them? I’m on 900mg. My seroquel dose can’t be changed. We’ve tried higher and lower. I’ve been on 2 antipsychotics at once but they didn’t help. Never tried more than that 1 combination though.

Anything else for anxiety or ocd that isn’t a benzo?

An antidepressant I could add?

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Default Mar 24, 2020 at 08:42 PM
  #8
Jtassar

Nice to see you.. I wish you were feeling better.

I cant think any more advice than what people have replied with.. Great solid advice as always found here.

Be kind to yourself as you work towards finding long term stability

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