Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 87

Bipolar Disorder Medication Woes

I've been on my medication (Lamictal- generic Lamtrigine) since 2005. Unfortunately, the Lamictal has stopped working three times in the past six years. Well, it hasn't stopped working exactly- if it did I would be suicidal pretty quickly. I should say that it is not working as well as it usually does.

All medications have an average/recommended dose as a guideline for prescribers. But this is only a start. People have such different brain chemistry that the dosage can be all over the place.

My problem is that I'm on the highest dose as possible for the Lamictal. 700mg. When the lower dose stopped working last year, my prescriber and I upped it to get me out of a really serious rapid cycling depression. (A few mood swings a day- waking up crying in the middle of the night, etc. )

And now it's happening again. I can't raise the dose. I use the management plan I write [ Read More ]

Related posts:Bipolar Medication Woes
Reader comment: Medication side effects: Lamictal
Bipolar disorder and work woes!

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Published on October 24, 2011 01:09

The Free Bipolar 101 Call Recording is Now Available.

Yes! The free recording of the excellent and fun Bipolar Disorder 101 coaching call is here. Please click 'Free Bipolar 101 Call' on the menu tab for more information. Make sure you listen with the phone below!

Julie [image error]

Hilarious!

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Published on October 21, 2011 17:11

Poll: Bipolar Disorder and Travel. I need your opinion!

View This Poll

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Published on October 21, 2011 17:11

Guest Blogger: Deborah DeMoss Smith talks about her new novel..

Hello Everyone. As you know, I rarely promote books on this site from bloggers- but when I do, I make sure they are special. Like all readers on this site, our guest bloggers are extraordinary people- they have stories and they often write books about their life experiences. Here is my latest guest blogger Deborah DeMoss Smith- and guess what- her book is a novel is about a teenager with bipolar disorder. Teens need to be represented!

** A note from Deborah:

I first met Julie over a year ago at a writing conference. She was there to teach an e-publishing class; I was a volunteer at the Command Central Desk. Rushing up to the desk that Friday morning, Julie asked if anyone could copy some handouts that she needed her class had already started. I reached out, grabbed the originals and sprinted to the other [ Read More ]

Related posts:Allen, a guest blogger, talks about Bi-polar Disorder During the Holidays
Guest Blogger: Dawn and Schizoaffective Disorder
Guest Blogger: Nicci Wall

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Published on October 20, 2011 11:42

What is so great about lamictal for bipolar disorder depression?

Here is the link to one of my most popular posts. You may notice that I write a lot about Lamictal on this blog. I'm not someone who believes in drugs only- but I do know that of all of the drugs on the market for bipolar disorder – this is the best depression drug used today. It's always a risk for people with bipolar disorder to take anti depressants such as Prozac or Zoloft as they have a high risk of mania if not used with a strong dose of a mood stabilizer. I believe that my constant rapid cycling is due to the 10+ antidepressants I was put on the first three years after my diagnosis.

Lamictal is a much, much safer drug for those with bipolar disorder and has relatively few side effects- the [ Read More ]

Related posts:Bipolar Disorder Medications – Lamictal Side Effects
Abilfy and Lamictal Side Effect: Akathisia
What is Lamictal (Lamotrigine) and How Does it Help Manage Bipolar Disorder?

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Published on October 19, 2011 03:39

The Free Bipolar 101 Recording is Now Available.

Mom, what is that funny looking object?

The Bipolar 101 coaching call from last week was a great success. The free recording is available. Click here for more information. We covered:

What is bipolar disorder?

What is the difference between bipolar I (one) and bipolar II (two)?

What is mania? What is depression?

What behaviors go with each mood swing?

Are there other symptoms besides mania and depression? (Yes!)

And finally, some good stories.

Julie

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Published on October 18, 2011 19:39

7 Ways You Can Help if I'm Having a Euphoric Bipolar Mania Episode

The Health Cards Help Prevent and Manage Mania

Help Your Friends and Family Help You Manage Bipolar Mania

Here are just a few of the tips included in the Mania Section in my Health Cards Treatment System. The cards create a list of all of my mania symptoms and what the people who care about me can do when they see that I'm starting to get manic. It's my responsibility to tell the people around me how they can help. It's not innate for them!

1- Know the signs and symptoms of what you see when I start to get manic.

2- Remind me that I wanted you to tell me if I seem to be too excited.

3- Do not match my behavior. In other words, if I say let's go drink some hard cider and it's 3PM, it's a [ Read More ]

Related posts:Newsletter: Mania, hypomania, euphoric mania, dysphoric mania- my plea to you!
My friend Karyn explains euphoric bipolar mania!
Bipolar Disorder Euphoric Mania

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Published on October 17, 2011 19:43

Your Testimonials Would Be Awesome!

Hello to everyone!

I'm redoing my bipolarhappens.com website (finally) and would love to get your testimonial on how my books have helped you or a loved one manage the illness.

Or.. how this blog has helped you, what you thought of the amazing Bipolar 101 call from last night, a comment on my coaching if we have worked together or anything else you think would add great content to the new and improved website.

The testimonials really help others decide which of my books will help them the most. It's often hard to know what you will get from a book- but if a new person reads a comment from an actual reader, the process is easier.

Please add your name and location. I will only use the first name and first letter of the last name. Or, please let me know if you don't want your name used.

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Published on October 14, 2011 19:39

BP Magazine Blog. Bipolar Disorder and Pot Smoking

I write a weekly blog for BP Magazine. This week the blog is called:

Pot, Weed, Smoke, Chronic, Marijuana and Bud

That is a title! The post addresses the marijuana problem I see in the children and partners of my coaching clients.

Here is the link.

PS: BP Magazine is amazing and the subscription is very affordable and the information invaluable. Please leave your comments on the BP post. They help so many people!

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Published on October 14, 2011 02:27

Bipolar 101 Group Coaching Call Thank You!

Wow. Thank you for all of your support for the Bipolar Disorder 101 group coaching call. I really appreciate the comments and am glad so many people enjoyed the call. I know I'm a speed demon! I will send out the number to access the recording this weekend, so please check back on the blog. The Group Coaching tab on the menu bar has information on the next coaching events.

Thanks to the over 100 people who joined the call! Julie

PS: We had listeners from Australia, Japan and England. Cool!

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Published on October 14, 2011 02:27