My fiance just got put on Depakote for Bipolar II, how long does it ...................?
485640
This kind of treatment only helps to control the visible expression of depression (behavior), but it does not erase depression. Depressive people have a particular way of thinking, which requires a particular genetic background as well as some vital experiences that sculpted her particular point of view about certain things. Hardly will this change by only taking some medication.  This is a functional problem that has carved its way into the mind's structure. You must learn to cope with it, with or without medication. That is very hard, but not impossible.
169776
i don't think you will ever 'get over' the disorder.  the meds will help mask or suppress the symptoms like cough syrup does but there is no cure.  i have bipolar and have wondered the same thing before.  once the meds are started it might take 2-3 wks to see results and get back to a normal balance or mood.  don't get too down.  millions are affected my mental illness.  we're a special group of people with talent and dreams like the rest of the 'normal' population.
459224
I think that you need to talk to your doctor and have him change the type of medication or the dosage because it sounds to me that you are still having manic/depressive episodes. My best friend went through this for months and they found out the medication was conflicting with other meds and they were just not effective. If nothing else get a second opinion!
888366
I am in my 40s but just started taking it. BiPolar. I had a severe gambling problem which this seems to have solved. It is used for ADD also.
1167627
There really isn't any specific time that might be experienced by a bipolar person. It can be days or weeks or months. I've heard of rapid cycling bipolar which can be that the manic and depression phases of bipolar can be as short as a day or even to hours within a day. Hopefully if it's you with the disorder you can find the right doctor to help you even out the highs and lows of bipolar.
56595
I have an aunt that has been diagnosed for years. What I would recommend is going to www.webmd.com to show you the kind of behavior you are in for if you choose to stay (which I wouldn't recommend, at least until he is stabilized)Bi-polars without medication can stay up for days, even weeks and can reach a state of insomniatic psychosis where they can become violent to themselves or others. They can also slip into a deep depression where they can't find an reason to get out of bed, or complete the simplest task to take care of themselves. Suicide is in greater numbers among this psychological diagnoses. I would recommend slipping into more of a friendship role, because if you don't you are in for the roller-coaster ride of your life.
700174
I am bipolar. I have been on antidepressants for who knows how long. Bipolar is an illness that you don't get rid of. You have to learn how to handle it. You have to learn how to live with it. I am also on Lamictal, but I'm on Resperdol too! I take several medication that are used for depression, but they are also used for seizures too! The lamictal I'm using for my seizures. The resperdol I'm using for my bipolar. The other medication I use for my bipolar (depression) is seroquel. Sometimes you need to take two medications for one medication to work, but never take more than two medications for the same use. When you take more than two med. for the same use they confuse each other. Which can cause more problems with you and your depression. Medicine is not the only thing that is going to help you though. You also have to do some of the work yourself. Actually, you have to do about 65%-70% of it. The medicine just relaxes you and your mind, so that you can hopefully do the other 65%-70%.
545045
As a child I would experience mood swings - happy one minute and sad the next minute. I started cutting my skin because of the sadness I felt inside. Since we were poor, my parents laughed me off - they didn't take me to see a doctor and instead blamed my moodiness on self-inflicted temper tantrums. While in school, I would always panic before taking tests and my palms would sweat. At age 21-25 I noticed a strange feeling of being too happy and all I wanted to do was spend, spend, spend and became unhappy when all the money was gone. I then sunk into deep depression blaming myself for anything. I was crying all the time even when I was happy.   When I finally turned 40yrs old, I became violent towards myself and of course, towards others. I was abusive. Then one day, I just jumped out of my car and ran down the railroad tracks... I wanted to kill myself - but for what and Why?  Today, I can't believe that I had done such a thing.  Anyway, at 40yrs I experirenced a major bout with depression and had to be hospitalized. After the usual tests were conducted, it was discovered that I had Rapid Cycling Bipolar. Was placed on Prozac, Paxil, and finally Valporic Acid = Depekote at 1000mg per day.  I'm 57yrs now, and sometimes feel so good that I don't take my medication... which is not good.  In other words, when I don't take my meds my seritonin attacks my system, so I must contiually remind myself that the meds are my friend and will help keep my brain balanced and help me to live one more day. A day without ups and downs.  A day of strength.  Yes, I have been diagnosed with Bipolar for 17 years, but really all my life.   If you are Bipolar please don't play doctor... take your medications and live a long life. You might even help someone like me - who is using this forum to answer your qustions.  This is good for my brain.... yeah?
626497
I have Bipolar Disorder and Borederline Personality Disorder. You have to be nice and be very supported to our mental health prolbems. It helps my family to take me to talk to somebody like every other week. Just read up on the disorders. And make sure he takes his meds. I once got off mine meds for 4 or 5 days and it made me sick.
341766
I have suffered bipolar for a long time and was on lithium and got well for a while but I got defiant and got sick again with the destructive highs and the desperate lows so stay on your med and talk to your doctor. If you are not happy seek another opinion until you find someone who works well with you and for you. I am now on Valpro and risperadol and I have been well for over 6 years and I have been working full time for two years now. There is something that helps me and that is writing. I keep a diary and write my thoughts and musing in it. Doing crosswords is a good thing to get your mind off your troubles. Good luck and if I can help further contact me at <firenzeperme@yahoo.com.au>\nIf you going through a low reading about your condition will not be a great help but bipolar.com have a downloadable diary that you keep to track your moods on a daily basis. Give it go and keep your chin up! You are not alone in this battle.
1057314
You will need to have a combination of medicines along with therapy to trully help you.  How long has it been since you saw a psychiatrist?  Do you and your psychiatrist get along okay? If the answer is no, then you need to get a second opinion by another psychiatrist.  The right combination of medicines are tough to figure out sometimes.  It is basically a trial and error ordeal.  Everybodies body chemistry is different.  What might work for me may not work for you and vica versa.  \n\nWhen a person suffers with bi-polar they should be treated with a variety of medicines such as mood stabilizers and anti-depression medication.  You said "we" tried lithium.  How long did you take it?  Lithium is the best medicine so far for bi-polar patients.  Ask your psychiatrist if he or she would consider putting you on Ambilify and Wellbrutrin as well as the Lithium.  The maxium benefit of these medications as most other medicines takes 3-6 weeks.  \n\nLiving a active full life is possible with bi-polar.  Stay positive and concentrate on your positives and accomplishments in your life.  Don't dwell on your negatives.\n\nGood luck to you and I hope I was some what helpful!
1029805
I'VE HAD BI-POLAR DISEASE FOR YEARS.  I HAVE BEEN PUT ON EVERYTHING FROM PROZAC TO LITHUM.  A YEAR AGO I GOT A DIFFERENT DOCTOR.  HE PUT ME ON A COMBINATION OF TRILECTAL 600 MG, ABILIFY 30 MG AND LURICA 100 MG. I KEEP AN EVEN BALANCE IN MY UPS AND DOWNS MORE THEN I EVER HAVE AND THIS IS THE BEST I'VE FELT IN SEVERAL YEARS.  I HAVE NO SIDE EFFECTS FROM THESE DRUGS.  BUT REMEMBER EVERYONES SYSTEM IS DIFFERENT, WHAT WORKS FOR ONE PERSON MIGHT NOT WORK FOR ANOTHER.  HOWEVER, YOU COULD ASK YOUR DOCTOR TO TRY YOU ON THESE COMBINATIONS.  FIRST HE WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT ALL YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND ANY OTHER MEDS YOU'RE ON TO SEE IF THIS COMBINATION IS RIGHT FOR YOU.  IF IT IS, GREAT! TRY IT.  IT MIGHT BE A LIFE SAVER FOR YOU, AS IT HAS BEEN FOR ME. HUGS!
791277
The correct dose of the correct med is a big part of dealing with being bipolar. Lamictal has the lowest rate of side effects. You need to go back to the dose that helped and get a new doctor. If this doc had you on too much lithium, he could kill you. It's toxic at levels too high!
802467
Some symptoms of Bipolar Disorder Type (2) not to be confused with Type (1) Big Difference.I have type (2) it can be controlled and there is help it just takes them a while as they have to be certain it Bipolar,thats why it takes along time until they finally say yes it is.\nnext time your at the doc ask for another referral to psychiatrist and Do Not withhold any info from them they need to no everything.\nAll the best\n\nDoctor is not the expert you need psychiatrists
541652
Yes - When I started taking meds 15 yrs ago, I finally realized what it was like to feel normal!  Today I take 900 mg of lithium, 100 mg of zoloft and 150 mg of effexor.   Both my father and grandfather committed suicide due to this disease, yet modern medecine was less advanced at that time than today. I don't miss much work as a result of the bipolar, plus I have a high stress, high level position at work, and, I have 3 children and am married.  I did miss quite a bit of work due to breast cancer but that is another story.  The bottomline is this disease is like many others, if you manage it properly, life can be very normal...you can play from the same deck of cards as most everyone else.  Being bipolar is not terribly different from many others diseases; like diabetes, which at the beginning of the 20th century was considered a mental disorder.  The biggest difference I see between functioning and nonfunctioning patients is 1.) willing to be responsible for self - a.) take meds as prescribed - b.) do not drink alcohol or take recreational drugs - c.) don't use your condition as a crutch or an excuse 2.) follow these simple steps and your treatment will help you.  I saw a lot of doctors due to my breast cancer and received astonishlingly ignorant comments from some - "you take these meds?" "why?" "that's enough meds to kill a horse"  and I'm petite...Comments like that foster shame which gets one mind thinking...I don't need/want to take all these pills...but I know without a shadow of a doubt I need the meds...and ignorant people, whether they are doctors or not, will not derail my health.  I have had some problems associated with tremors and a twich, but for the most part they have been lessened by modification of the meds.  hope this helps. Godspeed.
338387
I used Efexor and I would say after about 2-3 weeks it should be totally out of your system. However if you are having serious withdrawel symptoms, get thee to a doctor pronto and check everything is OK. I didn't get any - well none I noticed anyway - so I can't help you with that but I can say being off meds is the most liberating thing ever. My mind and my moods are my own again - hurrah!!
1107301
Depakote is a very effective mood stabilizer. It is approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder, migraine headaches, and seizure disorders. Depakote is especially effective in treating the manic symptoms of bipolar disorder, as well as "atypical" forms of bipolar disorder such as "rapid cycling" (alternating quickly from one episode to another) and mixed episodes (simultaneously exhibiting manic and depressive features). It's not quite as helpful for acute depressive episodes. Side effects can include weight gain and sedation. Serious side effects can (RARELY) occur, including liver or pancreas problems. These can be monitored by your physician. On the whole, Depakote is an excellent choice for bipolar disorder, particularly when manic symptoms are prominent.