Pristiq and bipolar disorder
Common Questions and Answers about Pristiq and bipolar disorder
pristiq
As you might now, there are currently 3 widely accepted forms of bipolar disorder, that is, bipolar type I, bipolar type II, and cyclothymia. However, a spectrum view of bipolar disorder is becoming popular. For example, you can picture a line with unipolar depression (major depression only) at point A, and with full blown bipolar type I at the end of the line, point B. If a person has major depression only, then they will fall close to point A on the line.
My wife suffers from bipolar disorder and fibromyalgia. She is currently taking Pristiq for the depression from the bipolar disorder.
When she went for her three-month followup today, the doctor wrote her a prescription for Tramadol for the chronic pain from the fibro.
However, shortly after taking the Tramadol (15 to 20 minutes after), she got some sudden sharp pains on the left side of her head, and they lasted for a few minutes then passed.
If your initial therapy was Ativan and Abilify, you were likely targeted for bipolar disorder. In depression, the indication is for add on treatment for resistant depression.
Both pristiq and abilify are expesive therapies. Abilify affects Dopamine by partially stimulating dopamine receptors while also putting the brakes on intrinsic dopamine via affects on certain seratonin receptors.
Actually my express concerns started when I had a friend who was on Pristiq along with Abilify. They had straight bipolar but the Pristiq pushed them into mania verging on psychosis and they did some destructive things that could have had them end up in the hospital and they were otherwise basically rational. I had them speak to a friend who was a psychiatrist and then they spoke to their own psychiatrist and were transferred to Wellbutrin which did not caused this problem for them.
Pristiq is approved for depression, but may also help with panic disorder and anxiety.
I read that Its 50/50. Depends though, I know ppl that are bipolar and have three kids, one has mood disorder. I'm bipolar, so is my husband and were having a baby in Nov. So I'm curious to see how this will work out. Either way what better people to help a child or someone deal with it then someone who actually has it themselves.
However, if you are still feeling down even though you are on the medications (Pristiq is more for bipolar disorder, I believe), then you may want to switch to another medication. I was on Effexor which made me manic, then I tried Wellbutrin which made me more depressed and finally wound up with Prozac which seems to be working pretty well, except for the sexual side effects, but those are common with any SSRI and SNRI.
I feel like I'm having a mind seizure sometimes. We still have very little knowledge of the mind and brain, though we are learning more and more. We don't really know why bipolar meds work, there are theories, but no hard science. I find addiction and bipolar to be more similar than seizures and bipolar.
I have OCD with panic disorder and was in a bad way with horrible panic and anxiety. The Pristiq worked well but slow. My Doc raised my doses in 50 ml increments until I got up to 200 ml. I felt better little bits at a time but it really kicked in at 200 ml. It goes slow but it does work. Don't give up on it too soon. Don't be afraid to go up in dosage a little bit at a time. I've heard of people going up to 400ml.
Hypomania (in the case of co-occurring borderline personality disorder and bipolar II disorder) may precede the emergence of borderline personality disorder in some patients, may surface a number of years later than when borderline personality disorder is first recognized, and in still others may become manifest at about the same time one is first diagnosed with borderline personality disorder." ("American Journal of Physchiatry")...
When I was perscribed Pristiq my psychiatrist didnt even know I have depression, she was just treating me for anxiety. And let me tell you, Pristiq changed my life the first few months I took it...as in my anxiety went from 100% every single day to barely getting any anxiety over the course of a month. Everybody handles meds differently, so give Pristiq a try as it may be your "miracle" drug as I used to call it a few months ago. Good luck!
I have been recently diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and am currently taking the medication ABILIFY..... i have noticed lapses in my memory and difficulty concentrating. Also i can't shake the lethargy either. I am just concerned with the quality of my life because the side effects of my medication are really affecting me. The reason i have continued on this medication is becuase it is one of the only antipsych medications approved for adolescents according to my psych doc.
I take Abilify and have for more than two years. I developed akathisia, a movement disorder that stops when you stop the med. I take propranolol, which is primarily used for high blood pressure and anxiety and also takes care of akathisia. I have no other side effects from Abilify. It has worked well for me in dealing with depression.
Hypomania (in the case of co-occurring borderline personality disorder and bipolar II disorder) may precede the emergence of borderline personality disorder in some patients, may surface a number of years later than when borderline personality disorder is first recognized, and in still others may become manifest at about the same time one is first diagnosed with borderline personality disorder." ("American Journal of Physchiatry")...
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