Posted by Gracie2 on April 8, 2002, at 20:35:14
In reply to How do I help my Boy-friend? He is bipolar..., posted by learningagain on April 8, 2002, at 13:36:20
I have been diagnosed as bipolar and my husband has been through hell. Before medication, the only thing about me that you could count on is that you couldn't count on me.
My first experience with meds included Depakote, which I did not like AT ALL. After six months of Depakote, 500 mg daily, I was a virtual zombie.
I didn't feel depressed, but I didn't feel anything else either. I was also taking Prozac, and then Paxil. They didn't help, or possibly the effects were lost somewhere in the Depakote haze.
But because I was sleeping at night (I had been suffering from severe insomnia and anxiety) and was not so anxious, my psychiatrist insisted that I keep on taking the Depakote.So I got rid of her, and the next psychiatrist took me off everything but Seroquel, first 300 mg
at night and then 400 mg. AS LONG as I do not drink excessively, I am much improved on this drug, which is an anti-psychotic. However, there was an awful adjustment period...first withdrawing from the Depakote, which I foolishly tried to do without tapering while I was between psychiatrists...my insomnia returned with a vengeance, and I began to suffer hellish panic attacks. Then I had to adjust to the Seroquel, which made me lethargic - and actually makes you sick if you take it with alcohol. But eventually I adjusted to the dosage, and now I am doing quite well.It sounds to me - and of course I am not a doctor, but having had experience with these drugs - that your boyfriend could probably do better with something other than Depakote. Prehaps his psychiatrist is unaware of the true effects that this drug is having - possibly your boyfriend is noncommital or downplays his feelings. I would urge him to get a second opinion.
Besides that, all you can do is to be there for him. Having the love and support of another is truely helpful, if not completely healing, and it sounds like you are doing all you can in that area.
Luck-
Gracie
poster:Gracie2
thread:95243
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020408/msgs/102442.html