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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Which Is The Best Medication For Bipolar?

Thank You ! My question is what medications are best for treating Bi-Polar 2? I have been prescribed Lithium,Seroquel,Reperadol and have experienced bad side effects like diarrhea, bad stomach pains and these meds make my feel like I am floating though cream of mushroom soup. Lorazepam seems to work pretty well without all the side effects although it is not much help with with depression or mood swings it is good for a short term fix and it does help me to eat, I have also tried Clonzepam this seems stronger than Lorazepam and just makes go to sleep, my doctor seems hesitant to prescribe Lorazepam. What is your advise? Also I have been diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa .Thank You for you time.
Thu, 2 Jan 2014
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
welcome to HCM!

I have read your question carefully and from that it appers that you have bipod disorder, have been on several medicines for that, but had one or other side effect and prefer lorazepam. your doctor does not agree to give you much of lorazepam, and you have asked what should you go for?

From my clinical experience I can say that your doctor is right in hesistating in giving you lorazepam or may be clonazepam, because-

1. they are just symptomatic managers and will not help in taking care of the disorder
2. both have good addiction potential
3. if taken for long time irrelevantly, can lead to multiple body problems, like liver disorders
4. they just relieve anxiety or help sleep, nothing more,.

I can understand that you have had varied side effect with bipolar medicines, but there are still good choices yet to be tried and one has to try out drugs till he finds something which suits his body most. It is seen many time that the psychiatrist have to change the main drug 2-3 times, due to uneasy side effects. But it is required that both the doctor and patient should be persistent and maintain calm during this period. If the patient start loosing Hope and trust in doctor, the it becomes difficult to control the disease and find the best suitable medicine.

The medicine of psychiatric illnesses, one like BPAD goes on for many years, so, it is a necessity that we choose what is best for you, even though it takes time, and some side effect are encountered.

There are still few mood stabilizers which can be tried in your case, may be second line, (as there are disturbing side effects with lithium, quetiapine, or soduim valporate).
Your second diagnosis, anorexia nervous a can be handled along with it, plus an additional anti depressant may be required.

I think that treating bipolar will automatically help in managing anorexia. So, please understand why your doctor does what he does and not want you to go for drugs like lorazepam. loosing Hope does not help anyone ever!

Your doctor would know of other choices for bipolar management.

Hope you get well soon
Feel free to ask more queries

Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD psychiatry
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Which Is The Best Medication For Bipolar?

welcome to HCM! I have read your question carefully and from that it appers that you have bipod disorder, have been on several medicines for that, but had one or other side effect and prefer lorazepam. your doctor does not agree to give you much of lorazepam, and you have asked what should you go for? From my clinical experience I can say that your doctor is right in hesistating in giving you lorazepam or may be clonazepam, because- 1. they are just symptomatic managers and will not help in taking care of the disorder 2. both have good addiction potential 3. if taken for long time irrelevantly, can lead to multiple body problems, like liver disorders 4. they just relieve anxiety or help sleep, nothing more,. I can understand that you have had varied side effect with bipolar medicines, but there are still good choices yet to be tried and one has to try out drugs till he finds something which suits his body most. It is seen many time that the psychiatrist have to change the main drug 2-3 times, due to uneasy side effects. But it is required that both the doctor and patient should be persistent and maintain calm during this period. If the patient start loosing Hope and trust in doctor, the it becomes difficult to control the disease and find the best suitable medicine. The medicine of psychiatric illnesses, one like BPAD goes on for many years, so, it is a necessity that we choose what is best for you, even though it takes time, and some side effect are encountered. There are still few mood stabilizers which can be tried in your case, may be second line, (as there are disturbing side effects with lithium, quetiapine, or soduim valporate). Your second diagnosis, anorexia nervous a can be handled along with it, plus an additional anti depressant may be required. I think that treating bipolar will automatically help in managing anorexia. So, please understand why your doctor does what he does and not want you to go for drugs like lorazepam. loosing Hope does not help anyone ever! Your doctor would know of other choices for bipolar management. Hope you get well soon Feel free to ask more queries Dr. Manisha Gopal MD psychiatry