Hello all. I'm extremely depressed right because I've been diagnosed with bipolar type I in addition to ADHD predominately inattentive type. I'm on the following drugs for my bipolar (and ADHD):

Effexor XR
Seroquel
Wellbutrin
Lamictal
Lithium
Atenolol
Abilify

What does this all have to do with ADHD? Well, my doctor thought that Wellbutrin would help with my ADHD. But after a month, I saw no difference. I'm stopping it tomorrow. Does anyone here know if it is logically possible to be on a stimulant while being bipolar? I'm talking about a tiny dosage, not one that is going to raise my moods through the roof. Has anyone heard of a stimulant being used in conjunction with bipolar meds? The reason I ask is because I want to go back on a stimulant because their so effective for adhd. When I was on Adderall, it was like Heaven.

What about STrattera? Can anyone tell me if it's very effective while on bipolar meds. I remember when I was on Strattera and Adderall, I once tried Strattera by itself and it almost worked as well as a stimulant! Please help...

Sorry to hear that this is bringing you down so much. I, too, have played the "medication game" for the last year and finally believe I have it right. I am diagnosed with severe ADHD, bipolar type II and sensory integration dysfunction. I take:

Lamictal
Atarax
Abilify
Dexadrine spansules

I really could not speak for a person with type I since mine is type II. I understand, though, that there is a difference. I have had some trouble finding a stimulant that would work for my ADHD yet not send me up to the sky, and a mood stabilizer dose that was effective. My recent combo works well for me though, because like some others I find that dex does wonders for my anxiety and calms me down bit. I have taken other stimulants and not gotten this calming effect. I cannot take Wellbutrin because I get that "rage reaction".

I hope you will stop by the Co-existing Conditions subforum. We have a great group of people with Bipolar who are very supportive of each other, and we are always willing to talk and listen to each other. HTH!

Welcome to ADDF and a special welcome to the ADDF "Cycling Team" :).

C~F

Hello, young C!

Like CF, I am Bipolar II. I got my diagnosis in Feb of this year. My father was BP I. I too take Lamictal. I have been at 150 mg for about a month. I take xanax for anxiety. I started Adderall XR today for my ADHD, which got worse with Lamictal.

Since it is only 10 mg to start with (the Adderall) I did find that I got more work done this morning, but this afternoon is about the same old same old.

I have a really good friend who takes Lithium, she said the Lamictal just didn't work as well. My father also took lithium.

I am sorry your diagnosis has made you depressed. I think that is normal, hopefully with the right meds you will be feeling better at some point. It seems to take many months to get everything right. I am still working on finding the right combination.

I think ADHD is really common in bipolar. I will have to look that up.

For me Effexor was really horrible. Really made me manic, and I had some horrible behaviors that were totally not me! Kind of embarassing! Wellbutrin was really icky too. It made me hostile and emotional, I was in tears or angry. I am going to try to stay away from antidepressants unless I get too depressed. The Lamictal has lifted my mood quite a bit.

I still cycle a little. I was hypomanic on Sunday and Monday, and depressed Tuesday and Wednesday. Do you have a good psychiatrist? I have a good neuropsychologist, my psychiatrist could be better but I have seen much worse too.

Yea, like CF said, we are a friendly (but odd) group of characters! :eek: Well no more odd than anyone here at the forum.

Tell us more about yourself and your diagnosis, your family and stuff! Well as much as you feel comfortable with.

Welcome welcome
to the bipolar section. Where we trip over lint on freshly vacuumed floors!! (Well at least CF and I do!) :eyebrow: :faint:

Hello all. I'm extremely depressed right because I've been diagnosed with bipolar type I in addition to ADHD predominately inattentive type. I'm on the following drugs for my bipolar (and ADHD):

Effexor XR
Seroquel
Wellbutrin
Lamictal
Lithium
Atenolol
Abilify

What does this all have to do with ADHD? Well, my doctor thought that Wellbutrin would help with my ADHD. But after a month, I saw no difference. I'm stopping it tomorrow. Does anyone here know if it is logically possible to be on a stimulant while being bipolar? I'm talking about a tiny dosage, not one that is going to raise my moods through the roof. Has anyone heard of a stimulant being used in conjunction with bipolar meds? The reason I ask is because I want to go back on a stimulant because their so effective for adhd. When I was on Adderall, it was like Heaven.

What about STrattera? Can anyone tell me if it's very effective while on bipolar meds. I remember when I was on Strattera and Adderall, I once tried Strattera by itself and it almost worked as well as a stimulant! Please help...

I have read that Strattera can cause a lot of problems in people that are Bipolar or have undiagnosed Bipolar disorder.

My husbands doctor is looking into undiagnosed BP in my husband after he had been on Strattera for a month and basically went nuts. He was not himself at all.

I have heard that this can cause pychotic breaks and I indeed did seem him lose touch with his surroundings and reality. It was VERY scary to watch and not be able to do anything about it.

I would suggest LOTS of research BEFORE trying Strattera. I understand it does help some people, but after the horrific experience hubby has had while on this and few others I have read about, I wouldn't touch this med with a 10 foot pole.

Hi Confused...and welcome...

I am BPDII as well as most of the gang here. Diagnosed last year in Sept. Diagnosed as Inattentive Type ADD in 1994.

I am also on Lamictal 100mg, Risperdal 1mg for sleep if needed, and Adderall XR 20mg.

I can say, yes there are people who can take stimulants who have BPDII, again the jury is out on the BPDI as I am not as familiar with it as my own..I know the symptoms are more extreme and longer lasting. Where we tend to be rapid cyclers.
I had to be on the Lamictal for a few months and up to the full 100mg dosage before the doctor would let me go back on the Adderall. I was originally on 40mg of it pre-bipolar diagnoses....and backed down to 20mg. It doesn't throw me into mania. I do take myself off of it if I have a "traumatic" event in my life...which for us can be something a small as a check bouncing...but I know that this will result in a "hypomanic" episode...and stay away from the stimulants and caffine for that matter. I take my Risperdal , earlier in the evvening and use a higher dose if needed.

I have not heard good things at all about Wellbutrin and BPDII..in fact I have heard we should not take it at all. I am not a doctor, but I have read quite a bit of research in regards to using anti-depressants/ SSRI's etc with BPD,,of course in research you have opposing ends...and as we all see doctors still prescribe it. I can say I have seen more negative feed back in that research in regards to the Wellbutrin , including Jeaniebugs experiences which I witnessed on this board....than I do good.

I am personally happy you are not taking it. I hope you do find the right combo...it's an uphill battle for many people which is why we try to be supportive and provide info...and please become educated as much asa possible about your own BPD...so you can advocate for yourself and your husband....

I think when people find out they have a "serious" health issue wheather it be mental or physical...we all have to go through the process ....almost like the death of a loved one....I never had issue with being ADD and would shout it from the house tops...but when I was diagnosed with BPD,,,I went through a range of emotions very quickly.
Shame (due to societies view of our disorder), anger, grief...the hunger for knowledge, the drive to advocate...and at the end...after allowing my self to feel these things....I made a decsion to not be a victim...I read many of the good things about being BPD...being highly intelligent, creative, and acutely aware of feelings around us, intuned with the world in the empathic sense...we all know about the bad side...

Let yourself go through the cycles...come here and get the support you will need..., journal to track you moods/meds/ and vent....I am amazed to read through the transition here and on my blog space from last year to now. Get your hands on books so you can read...use the internet to educate yourself...I can't tell you enough how that has helped me, and helped me deal wiht my 15 year old who just got diagnosed in March...and most of all get to know you, your cycles and what you can do to help yourself through the cycles along wiht the meds....it's always easier to face what you know is coming even if it's unplesant...rather than get blindsided...

I wish you the very best in you new journey....we are here if you need us and we do understand most of your struggles...

And again as all above have said, Welcome to the Cycling Team at ADDF! :D

I think ADHD is really common in bipolar. I will have to look that up.Got your back, girlfriend ;).


FROM HERE: (http://www.psychiatrysource.com/congress-report/Mood-disorders-often-accompanied-by-psychiatric-co.aspx?l1=4)

MedWire - APA (San Diego, California, USA) - May 21, 2007: Patients with mood disorders often have other psychiatric comorbidities such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety symptoms.

In one meta-analysis, investigators found that adults with bipolar disorder often have comorbid ADHD, while adults with ADHD are at increased risk of bipolar disorder. Furthermore, adults who have both conditions have more severe disease, and are at a higher risk of suicide attempts and substance addiction than patients without these conditions, according to Dr. Aliza P. Wingo (Atlanta, Georgia, USA).

************************************************** ************************************

Dr Wingo and colleagues were interested in the rate at which the two conditions are diagnosed in the same patients, and the validity of the diagnosis.

They therefore examined the validity and clinical implications of co-existing adult ADHD and bipolar disorder. They were particularly interested in the rate of comorbidity, the characteristic symptoms of each condition, and the course of illness, as well as family history and treatment.

In the four studies focusing on adult ADHD, which had populations of 51, 79, 3199, and 127, investigators reported comorbid bipolar disorder rates ranging from 4.5% to 47.0%


Comorbid patients were an average of 13.9-years-old when they developed bipolar disorder, compared with an average of 18.0-years-old for those without ADHD (p=0.0001)

I know a lot of people who have both. I don't. But a lot do. I don't really know the connection between the both

I know a lot of people who have both. I don't. But a lot do. I don't really know the connection between the bothThen kindly read the post above you :) it speaks volumes.