Struggling

[lifted]

Hi, Im diagnosed with bipolar, and have been on meds for 15 yrs, Im on lithium.600 mg And venlafaxine 300 mg, and have just started HRT, could I possibly chat to some one who is on similar meds, please and thanks for taking the time to read xx

[Peeriemaw]

Hi lifted,

Sorry to hear you are struggling just now... I know how it feels to do that

I have just been diagnosed bipolar and still due to start lithium... I keep putting it off. I have just come off venlafaxine because the psych and doc agree that it can exacerbate bipolar (particularly hypo/manic phases).

What HRT are you taking? I too have been through the menopause, had to have a total hysterectomy and oophorectomy at about age 36. I have been on oestrogen only since then but have now stopped it because of the negative effect it can also have on mood. (My homoeopathist also told me oestrogen wasn't showing as a requirement).

I'm doing these things with my doctors supervision but I would imagine that I will not be received well when I tell her next week I will not be taking lithium yet.

I have been drugged up to the eyeballs since age 17 with anti-depressants, occasional anti-psychotics and I don't know who I am anymore (now 43)... now with the venlafaxine out of my system, I feel I may be starting to discover myself again. A long and painful journey I think I am facing but I'm now looking to homeopathy, clean diet (which is a sure fire challenge - especially when all you want to do it grab a bottle and swig big style!), exercise, using writing and drawing to let things out and Steve Ilardi's book to assist in all areas.

Take care, your are not alone, even though your experience of this is completely individual to you, and please don't stop taking anything without the doc's supervision, withdrawal from these drugs is hell but possible xxx

PS sorry for the ramble!

[lifted in reply to Peeriemaw]

Your reply has made my morning, I havent started the hrt yet, because I'm waiting to go on a pyhotic drug, so I only want to go on one or the other, would love to chat with you more if that would be OK and thanks for your reply xx

[Peeriemaw in reply to lifted]

Sure, no problem, I haven't used the personal messenger on here yet, but I'm sure I can figure it out if you would prefer to chat there, otherwise here is fine for me. x

[Hidden in reply to Peeriemaw]

If you decide to withdraw , it needs to be done at 10 pc a month approx.Your gp can help if your Psych isnt supportive. Therapy is the real route to all recovery of emotional distress and a happy lifestyle etc.

[Charlie23]

Hi, I have bipolar too and have taken various mood stabilisers and antipsychotics with little success. I was warned off Lithium by my physiatrist because of the toxicity risk, but found the perfect combination of meds taking Lurasidone and Lamotrigine. Not too sure about the HRT as I'm too young for menopause but hope it works out for you!

[lifted in reply to Charlie23]

Thankyou for reply and I hope so too xx