Newly diagnosed with Bipolar and BPD

[markaj]

I've been seeing a NHS psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist for about a year now and have just been given these 2 diagnoses.  I've been switched from Olanzapine to Quetiapine and Mirtazapine to Venlafaxine.  Does anybody have experience with these meds or both conditions? 

[weasel]

Hey Markaj  ,
                        Hope all is well !

 I am unfamiliar with the drugs you mention , BUT I have lived with Bipolar for 55 years !

 I am a firm believer  that Bipolar is a " born - with "  disease .

 And watching my 6 month old nephew I really have no doubt it starts  at birth !

I have been taking " Celexa "  and " Clorazapram "  for  4 years now and find it is a very good

combination for me !

I can NOT  stress enough  the  fact that the more physical activity you do the better

you MAY  feel .

 For me I find that a good physical workout makes me feel great !

                                         wishing  you the best !
                                                                             Carl
     

[markaj]

Hey Carl, thanks for your reply.  I completely agree with you about being born with Bipolar.  If truth to be told i've thought there's been something not right with me for a long time.  I'll try some exercise, since I do absolutely nothing of the kind and have an ever expanding waist line as testimony.  Thanks again.  Be well.  Mark x

[OzPaul]

Hey Mark

I too have bipolar disorder and like Carl I feel I was likely born with it. I struggled for many years and was diagnosed with bp in 1998. I've been on meds and well since 2002. I'm now 51.

I would concur with Carl again and say exercise is a key component of wellness. It should be combined with an effective mediation regime and a regular routine if possible. A healthy diet with limited caffeine may also help, IMHO.

Good luck to you !

Cheers,

Paul

[Tempeboy]

Hey Mark,

Meds look good,

Quetiapine (Seroquel) has a 'mood stabilising' effect without the weight gain associated with Olanzapine (Zyprexa).  Venlefaxine (Efexor) is an antidepressant without the weight gain associated with Mirtazapine (Avenza).

If the switch in meds is related to weight gain you will lose weight more quickly and for the long term if you also modify diet and excercise in the changeover process.  Even though weight loss in this transition can be rapid it is safe - as long as it's cool with your doc.

take care

[markaj]

I have put on 4 stone but I had lost 4 stone so it did me no harm, although I cannot stop eating so who knows how big I would have ended up!  The change wasn't because of weight gain it was more that the Olanzapine and Mirtazapine didn't seem to be doing anything much for my mood.  I also wasn't sleeping and my psychiatrist thought Quetiapine might help with this.  Thanks for your replies and best wishes.

[Miss Philicia]

I was on Mirtazapine for a few years and gained tons of weight on it (though I was in a wasting period so it was welcome, but if I had not been I would have been a blimp).  My first weekend on it I devoured almost an entire apple pie, and that was after a huge meal.

I think both Quetiapine and Olanzapine do this as well, with Olanzapine having a higher tendency.

[the trebmeister]

hi mark,

i have only run-of-the-mill chronic depression but use or have used 3 of the 4 drugs you mention. 

my experience with effexor was horrendous.  it seemed to pump my adrenaline to the "fight or flight" level  24/7.  i stopped taking it after 5 days (cutting the doses by 1/2 on days 3 to 5 was no help -- a tiny speck of the stuff wired me like ben franklin's kite) and avoid all SNRIs .

mirtazapine was wonderful in alleviating depression but in 1 year i gained 75 pounds... and unlike miss philicia i have no wasting problems.   

i take quetiapine as a sleep aid (off-list use) and it works well but since i began taking it i've developed pre-diabetes (seroquel can increase blood sugar levels and lead to diabetes).  i stopped taking it for several months and my blood sugar is OK but it's really the only med at my disposal that knocks me out.  i take 4 - 6 mg of klonopin every night to help me sleep but most nights i might as well have eaten a few tic-tacs.  try to take seroquel once or twice a week to avoid the high blood sugar crap but that usually means i'm falling to sleep after the sun rises.

[markaj]

Thanks trebmesiter.  I've actually been doing okay with Effexor albeit 75mg, I'm seeing my psychiatrist next week and I'm going to ask to go up to 150mg.  I can see why you're taking the Seroquel for sleep!  It takes a couple of hours to kick in but I've then been sleeping for between 10 and 12 hours.