Question/Comment:

My 21 year old granddaughter is bi-polar and is now pregnant.
The doctor took her off her meds, what will happen to her and
the fetus. Will the bi-polar have an effect on the newborn?

Question/Comment:

iam on effexor xr and need to know if a side effect of this drug slows the production of sperm

Question/Comment:

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE BIPOLAR? WHAT ARE THE SYMPTONS? I WAS TOLD I WAS BIPOLAR WHEN I HAD TO GO TO A PSYCHITRIST WHEN MY HUSBAND WENT OUT ON ME BECAUSE I DID GET VERY UPSET AND SHOWED MY ANGER AND I HAVE TALKED WITH PEOPLE SINCE AND ALL THE THINGS I WENT THROUGH WITH BEING ANGRY, MAD AS YOU KNOW WHAT, ETC. WAS NORMAL TO HOW ANYONE WOULD HAVE ACTED. I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I WAS TOLD I WAS BI-POLAR. I DON'T HAVE A HIGH SEX DRIVE, I CAN SLEEP, I WORK EVERYDAY ON A HIGH PRESSURE JOB AND HAVE NO TROUBLE WITH CO-WORKERS, ETC. I DEAL WITH PEOPLE ALL THE TIME WITH NO PROBLEMS. IU REALLY JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND.

Answer/Reply:

There are different degrees of bipolar; just like there are different degrees of depression. I can sleep most of the time; as long as I am working or going to school. I bounce between work through a temporary agency and college while raising 6 kids. It is when I am inbetween work and college that my sleep disorder comes out more. While I am in school or at work; my mania is just not as severe as when I'm a stay at home mom. The same is true with the depression. Just because you did not get upset because your husband cheated on you does not mean you are bipolar. You may have know something was up subconsciously or you wanted things to change within your relationship to begin with and this was the situation you used to get that result. I have no problem dealing with coworkers or classmates. I have several friends that are bipolar and thier disease is much more severe than mine. (Which also makes it difficult to take my medication; but that problem seems to have worked it self out) Did you talk to the psychiatrist about situations and possible diagnosis? You can look at www.cdc.gov and look up bipolar. I like their website because I know it is definitely credible information. Hope this helps.

Question/Comment:

i am bipolar with rapid cycling. I have been on every med thats on the market. my dr has exhausted every effort to try to find the right cobination of meds, i think he has finally found one. i am taking haldol, geodon, and lexapro. this combo is working. is there anyone else who is on these meds? id like to not be the only one.

Answer/Reply:

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder (manic depressive) when I was 28. The first time I hallucinated and thought I was God then I black out for one month. Medication in those days (about 30 years ago) was lithium I don't remember the name of the antidepressant which didn't work.I had several courses of electric shocks every time I was admitted in a mental hospital.When I am manic or "high" I spend money like they were just papers. I would buy anything I fancy which I had no use of at all when I came back to normal. My sex drive was incredible and I am a woman. My boy friend and had sex in the hospital (private) room and risk being seen by the nurses coming in and out all the time. I exhausted all kinds of medications I have treated by the most well known to be best psychiatrists in Thailand (where I live in Bangkok). but still, I had my severe highs and lows. every time when I get high I would really believe that I have super natural power - like being devine and very religious. I spent my life going in and out of mental institutions and some times I can be violent. I attempted suicide once but was saved by the doctors in a hospital near by my house. I mean, who would want to live when one feels so useless and worth nothing. So depressed that I plan suiside each day. The thing I'm afraid if is "what if I don't succeed?" would I become a vegetable? Can you imagine being a zombie? That's how I'd feel when I get depressed. Right now I am on Quomem, cymbalta, Depakote and Seroquel. This combination seems to work for now and I feel normal again. I also take Rivotril 2mg before bed and I sleep (like starting to spend a lot of money, giving things away, talkative and make jokes and laugh a lot, very clever and cunning so on) well every night. Anyhow, I still have to watch out for my early symptoms of a manic episode and report to my psychiatrist at once so he can adjust my medications right away. Sure, I feel like throwing all the meds away like some others. But I know the consequences because I did it before - many times. Let's face it, Bipolar is only one step awayfrom skidzophrenia or madness! I am now 59 I have a good husband who loves me and always stand by me. I have two grown children and 5 grandchildren. And at this moment I am content.
Old lady.

Answer/Reply:

I to have Bipolar and was once on Haldol, be sure your Dr. watches you closely while on Haldol because I had some very serious side effects and had to be taken off of it. They included tremors, constant shaking and severe restlessness. I could not sit still, sleep etc. for a long time.

Question/Comment:

Wel today i went to go see my psychatrist with my mom
and shes putting me on Abilify???
for my mixed attacks of ragess and then blackouts.
and hallucinations.
and shes putting me on something else in like a week or so i think itsl ike some antidepressant??
I'm 16 years old
is it safe to take this abilify

Answer/Reply:

I am taking Abilify and ever since I have been a lot better. I wished my mom had taken me to a phychatrist back when I was twelve. Because I had ragess and blackouts and hallucinations way back then. It also takes time to find the right medications for you. Because everyone is different.
I have been on Abilify, Zoloft, Cymbalta for One year now and that combination has been working for me. I am in control now, with my medication.And it feels good.