Can you manage bipolar without mood stabiliser??

Hi Karen, from my experience I'd say no because I think the anti psychotic is what controls mania and a mood stabilizer is still needed to keep you stable and control the highs and lows. I have bipolar 1 with psychotic features (my manic episodes can turn into full blown paranoia, hallucinations, etc. I take a mood stabilizer, and an anti psychotic and I'd honestly never try going without a mood stabilizer again. In my younger days when I was first diagnosed, I stopped my meds many times and ended up right in the hospital

As we all know everyone is different, but I recently started lithium after trying every other med out there for the last 20 years and it was a rough start with side effects but after 6 weeks now, I feel the best I ever have. I was always afraid to try lithium, but there's a reason why it's been used for over 50 years and it's been a wonder drug for a lot of people with bipolar disorder. I take that and vraylar and I'm thinking I've finally found the right meds after many ups and downs!

Good luck to you, Stay positive

Yes, the side effects actually weren't that horrible with the lithium. I was so worried about trying it too and about the side effects and it being high maintenance with making sure the levels are in the right range with labwork, but it was only a few weeks of side effects that were still tolerable, a couple trips to the lab and now I guess I only go every few months to the lab.

The side effects I had were mainly dizziness and nausea but it got better each week and now I dont notice any side effects.

I'm dumb for looking up med reviews online because that's the worst thing you can do, everyone has a horror story, but everyone is so different. And lithium is so well known and my new Dr (50yrs of experience) said there's a reason why it's been prescribed for over 50 years..it works!

I also weaned off lamictal (no issues, just didn't need 2 mood stabilizers) and I'm still weaning off trileptal and replacing it with the lithium so it's been a long transition but I'm honestly feeling great lately, and my husband and kids notice so it's been much better in our household lately

I'd definitely give lithium a try. I've been on depakote and it caused major weight gain which has always been a struggle for me so I chose to try the lithium. It still has weight gain as a side effect but I think it's less likely than the depakote.

👍😊?

Hi Karen

I also had to stop taking lamotrigine because of the side effects, severe eye irritation/conjunctivitis for nearly 18 months - no medic made the connection, visited eye hospital twice and they said it was blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids) and I had to clean them twice a day with solution of baby shampoo and cotton buds! It was me who made the connection after reading the patient info leaflet - within weeks of stopping lamotrigine my eyed cleared up.

Anyway back to you. Sort of.

I take quetiapine as a mood stabilizer even though it is officially an antipsychotic. Quetiapine is known to also have antidepressant properties and is sometimes used as an antidepressant as an add on treatment in bipolar depression.

As my bipolar mostly takes the form of depression it wasn't enough on its own for me and I also take venlafaxine to guard against severe episodes which it has, although it hasn't prevented the mild more recurrent low moods.

If you do decide to give quetiapine a go, be wary of taking too high a dose as it can leave you feeling flat and can't be bothered with things.

I found the therapeutic dose for me was 150 - 200mg.

Good luck.

Man Id. Love to say yest but no. Every time I try I end up. Fighting loving like a millionaire having a whole lot of sex wich I. Love any way but that just amplifies. Then there is the low an before u know it the rainbow has. Gone an the cloud is back stable and able is what I say altho deep down I. Love mania