Bipolar 2 month long manic episode - what's going on???...

[Maggiemay]

After trying to increase my quetiapine 2 months ago, I have gone back down to original dose; lowered my mitazipine dose and I'm *still* manic :'(

Getting worried now that it's not just drug induced - surely it should have stopped by now?... I have 2 sisters who are bipolar, now worrying I am too. Something is seriously not right :(

Seeing psych in a week - really hoping for some answers and some respite, don't know how much longer I can last on constant fast forward. And stwhat will happen when it finally stops? Will I plunge into q deep

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Maybe you cant handle antidepressants at all? I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that its not med based as you're still taking meds that can cause mania.

 

[Maggiemay]

I've been on mitazipine for a long time - it's the only anti-depressant that stops my very dark depression. Also been on quetiapine for about 18 months. We were ironically trying to increase it to stop my mood from swinging - Lol!!! Previously at this dose I was way too sedated so why it's triggered mania I don't know :s No one seems to believe me (T and GP) that it was caused by quetiapine, and they are confused as to why it's happening... I need answers now. Hoping psych will get to the bottom of it all, but what if they don't? What will happen then?... Worried as quetiapine and mitazipine have been wonder drugs for me til now...

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Former wonder drugs can turn into not so wonder drugs. Ive had it happen a few times. I still wouldnt be so quick to assume its not the drugs. I didn't experience hypomania until I was on Mirtazapine a number of years. Ive also had doctors not believe that a side effect can kick in after being on a drug long term. It can and does happen. The thing is that drug trials are only so long, so they cant always see the long term effects of a drug. Our bodies change over time, so i think its fair to say that side effects can pop up later in treatment. Im not saying thats whats happening with you, but its a possibility. I don't think you can even be diagnosed with bipolar disorder if you were on medication when the first bout of mania hits.

 

[Maggiemay]

Thanks - not thought of it like that ;)
I really don't get it tho. Looking into bipolar is me trying to find answers but may not be the right ones ;( I'm BPD so used to having reactive moods that are forever changing. I have been manic several times in the past but always short lived & never to this extreme... :( I just want it to end now before it turns sour!

 

[Justmehere]

What are the specific symptoms of your mania? I'm wondering if maybe this could be more of a PTSD anxiety state.

I have had antidepressants make me too "up" over time. A psychiatrists who specializes in trauma said it is not uncommon for this to happen with antidepressants and PTSD.

 

[Maggiemay]

I've been in a state of high anxiety & hyper vigilance caused by PTSD but this feels different.

I'm...
-full of energy and on constant fast fforward, speed walking everywhere and can't sit still
-Louder and a lot more talkative than normal. I feel pressure to talk and keep on talking. Hard to have a conversation with me as will talk over other person and not listen to what they're saying
-Fluctuating from elevated mood where everything is hilarious to incredibly irritable
-super productive. Achieved a lot, but now struggling to concentrate and focus so achieving less and making errors because everything is done at double speed
-Needing a lot less sleep and not getting tired
-Spending money on things impulsively I don't need
-Full of confidence (which is totally out of character!) & making exciting plans for the future
-Mind racing with thoughts & ideas . Jumping from one thing to another with no continuity

That's the main ones I can think of...

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I hate to give medical advice, but it may be a case of needing to detox off of all medication so that you can determine if its medication caused or not, and then starting over from ground zero with new meds. Of course, this is risky if you really are bipolar, but the alternate is just to keep throwing meds upon meds and trying to fix something that's already broken. Either option is risky, but I think the first option would help you figure out the cause whereas the second option is just going to be a whole bunch of guess work in an effort to try and stabilize you. Whatever you do from here forward, I hope you do it under the close supervision of a psychiatrist. Do you have the type of doctor where you can tell him what you want to do and he will help you? I mean mine supports me if I want to take meds, if I don't want to take meds, whatever. But, I know that some doctors aren't so willing to listen to their clients wants/needs.

 

[Maggiemay]

That makes a lot of sense. My worry is I can't function without meds - dont want to be back in a place where I'm on constant heightened alert, constant flashbacks abduction lots of blacking out & non epileptic seizures. Such a scary place. Also, to further complicate things I need toPs be @ work :( Luckily I'm currently on Easter break.

Psychiatrist I'm seeing is not one I've seen before and supposed to be a one off appointment. I would hope thehe'sfollow up to check drugs are working/if they need tweaking, but sadly this is the NHS...
Luckily I have a T that cares and is very supportive

 

[Maggiemay]

So... Got phone call from psych's secretary this morning... Appointment has been moved forward by 2 hours = grrr!! Not amused! :( T now can't come with me as moved client earlier so she could and can't mess them about again :( Boo!! I have copied last psych assessment, referral to trauma services, questionnaires & letter from dissociation centre, letter from T requesting referral, and written down manic and dissociative symptoms and past and present medication. Do I need anything else? Could I be anymore prepared? Am I going to talk to them considering they're a stranger? Will be selective mutism tendencies kick in? Urgh!!!! Worrying a lot...