Bipolar Disorder and Medications: Lithium, Zoloft, Celexa, Lamictal

Here are some stories that illustrate a fact: bipolar disorder medication efficacy can change over time.

- Lithium: My dear friend Sherri- who has bipolar I-  took Lithium successfully for over eight years.  Two years ago she had a severe manic/psychotic episode without a major trigger. My coauthor Dr. John Preston calls them breakthrough mood swings. She spent the past two years on Lithium and Zyprexa. It was a tough two years, but she is doing SO well. I just talked with her today and I said, “It’s so great to have Sherri back!” She said that her husband feels the same. People do get better!

- Zoloft: Another friend was on Zoloft for ten years. It stopped working effectively. She then tried Celexa. It worked for a while, but not as well as Zoloft. So she’s going back on the Zoloft! It’s an art to find out what drug works for you. It is a lifelong process for most of us.

-Lamictal: As many of you know, I made a huge mistake a year and a half ago- I reduced my Lamictal because I thought it wasn’t helping enough with my depression. I didn’t realize it was helping me in so many other ways. When I finally got back up to my normal dose- the drug worked better. No kidding. It helped my depression a lot more than in the two prior years. I now find that I am struggling again with my Lamictal. It’ always a challenge!

Don’t give up on your bipolar meds. The right meds can change your life!

Julie

Related posts:
Bipolar Disorder Medications: Mood stabilizers Lithium, Depakote, Tegretol, Lamictal
Bipolar Disorder Medications – Lamictal Side Effects
Bipolar Disorder Medications: Lamictal (or should I say- generic Lamotrigine!)