Bipolar II, rapid cycling and ADD

[Missgoldie]

Does anyone here have Bipolar II with rapid cycling and ADD? If so, wha meds are you taking?

I was diagnosed with Bipolar II with rapid cycling last year, I was taking Lamictal and Wellbuterin which working in taking the depression away, I also felt less irritable but I still could not concentrate on things, finish what I started etc...

A new Dr took me off both and put me on ADD meds, I am taking 20 mg of Adderral XR, I feel more focused and alert which is great but I am seriously depressed. Once prozac was added to the mix things have been worse.

Can one take a mood stablizer like Lamictal and a stimulant like Adderall at the same time? Do most Dr's frown upon this?

[Crazy~Feet]

I take Lamictal with Dexedrine for BPII and severe ADHD-PI, but I do not have a history of rapid-cycling.

It is standard procedure to stabilize the mood disorder before addressing the ADHD so I have to admit that your doctor's approach seems a bit odd to me, but it's a YMMV kind of thing anyway.

SSRIs are known for triggering mania in BP patients so I am not surprised at all that you feel worse.

[Matt S.]

I concur with the mood stabilizer and stimulant combination I think it will help you a lot

[Missgoldie]

Hopefully the mood stablizer and stimulant combo will work, I have not been functioning and it is hell.

I am tired of unsupportive family and so called friends, it is a constant cycle of disappointment in myself and disappointing others, feeling angry that they think I am making all this up. I guess it is easy for others to see the "manic" times as me being very functional and a go getter and my depressed times as being lazy, moody and feeling sorry for myself. So not the case though and no explaining this seems to change their thoughts.

[meriellyn]

I take Lamictal and Dexedrine as well.
I agree that it definitely seems odd that your doc would take you off your stabilizer and put you on a just stimulant knowing you're BP. It's generally a much better idea to be on a stabilizer then add the stimulant med.

I hope you're able to find a combo that works soon.

[Crazy~Feet]

I am tired of unsupportive family and so called friends, it is a constant cycle of disappointment in myself and disappointing others, feeling angry that they think I am making all this up. I guess it is easy for others to see the "manic" times as me being very functional and a go getter and my depressed times as being lazy, moody and feeling sorry for myself. So not the case though and no explaining this seems to change their thoughts.

I know just how that is! It's draining isn't it?

[NonSequitor]

SSRIs, especially Prozac, have not done me any favors for BP2 & ADD. It makes me indifferent yet wacked at the same time. Wellbutrin was what I was put on first by my last doctor before she let me take any ADD drugs. It really is crucial to stabilize the mood before one takes stimulants if one is bipolar or just depressed. I eventually added dex and the combo has worked well. Taking stimulants alone without addressing the mood is just asking for mania. I speak from experience.

Good luck.

You will find that you are not alone in facing disappointment after disappointment. I hope things get better! In my 26 years I am only beginning to realize that being proactive, even if it means physically dragging your body and mind out of the shadows, is the best medicine. The energy inside of you can be transformed into something good.

[Missgoldie]

Thanks for your support everyone, very appreciated!

[Spongedaddy]

I have suffered from heavy daily rapid cycling for a long time. I haven't gotten a lot of support from my friends (many of whom just stopped talking to me) and my family is a bunch of arses. However, my wife is very supportive (although I wished she would learn more) as are my friends here. Trying to fight with those people who aren't supportive is really fighting with the part of yourself that doesn't believe in BP. Once you begin to really accept this is a condition you are dealing with, dealing with the "playa haters" (see how hip I was there) will be easier.

[Crazywith4kids]

I take 300mg of Lamictal... 30mg of Adderall XR....12.5mg of Ambien CR.... and .5mg of Klonopin as needed. This combonation works great for me.

[Missgoldie]

I am back on Lamictal, it has been 5 days and I already feel a little more stable. Thank god is all I can say!

In a few weeks I will be restarting adderall for my ADD.

I am trying remind myself that the pills are responsible for being stable because I always seem to stop taking them once I am better because I feel that I am "cured".

[Crazy~Feet]

I am back on Lamictal, it has been 5 days and I already feel a little more stable. Thank god is all I can say!

In a few weeks I will be restarting adderall for my ADD.

You must be so relieved!

I am trying remind myself that the pills are responsible for being stable because I always seem to stop taking them once I am better because I feel that I am "cured".

This is a very common reason for non-compliance in bipolars. That's one thing the Team is here for. If you feel you are cured? Let us know and we'll gladly remind you that you aren't. In a supportive manner! Far too many of us have realized the hard way that our meds are not optional.

[dyingInside]

Hmmmm... rapid cycling... is that fun? I can't say that I've felt truly manic in a long while.

[netsavy006]

Rapid cycling is no fun IMO. For me, I fear when my cycle starts to shift.

[NonSequitor]

I am BP2 & ADHD. I have been on wellbutrin 150xl as well as dex 15mg 2-3x day. These are an awesome combo. Wellbutrin is such an awesome thing as it makes me feel normal not numb (like the SSRIs I was put on before I was diagnosed ADHD which was before I was diagnosed BP2. @26 I finally know what is up : ) Anyway, this combo works for me. I just find that dex vacations are a must. it seems to build up in my system and after a while I feel all tweaker-like and strung out (not functional, as I should) if I do not take a few days off of dex once in a while.

And, referring to what Netsavy just said about dreading cycles shifts: i feel like I have been emotionally any physically like I've been by a semi after I finally come out of some extreme state. The only thing I can liken it to is the feeling one gets after doing acid when one finally realises they must sleep even if it kills them.