Antidepressants for Bipolar
By breepeace
@breepeace (3014)
Canada
September 1, 2007 8:46pm CST
Has anyone ever been on antidepressants? Or still is?
Have you ever tried different kinds?
If so, what drug did you notice had the least amount of side effects? Which worked best for you?
Which did you hate? What didn't work wonderfully for you, but wasn't terrible?
I'm curious because I think my doctor has finally drilled it into my thick skull that taking antidepressants to treat my bipolar is really no worse than taking birth control pills to prevent pregnancy, but I still want to do some research and get first hand experiences. I've been trying to use some homeopathic remedies, but I really don't think they're helping, and I'm slowly wrecking my life, so I think this is an option I should definitely be trying.
I have tried Wellbutrin, but developed insomnia, and I know my mom felt perpetually 'stoned' on Prozac, so I'm sort of inclined to steer clear of those two, but I wonder if anyone has any personal experiences they can share?
4 people like this
7 responses
@linda345 (2660)
• Canada
2 Sep 07
I have been on several but the one that caused me the most trouble was Prozac. It caused it to go manic and I ended up in hosipital for 4 weeks. I will never take it again. Right now I am not on an antidepressant just mood stablizers. My doctor only adds in an antidepressant if I become extremely depressed.
1 person likes this
@devilliers7 (63)
• South Africa
2 Sep 07
I was on "Zyban" for three (3) months. I never had any side-effects and it did wonders for me. I could continue with my life as usual.
@breepeace (3014)
• Canada
3 Sep 07
Zyban is also marketed as Wellbutrin.. I gave that a try and 3 weeks in developed horrrible insomnia. Thanks, though!
@jiffys_frog_woman (4050)
• United States
2 Sep 07
iam on abilify 20mg if u look i have a topic about the side effects and stuff on i have been on zoloft and wellbutrin but they did not work .
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
3 Sep 07
I myself have never been on antidepressants but my girlfriend has. She was on wellbutrin and prozac. At first she did great being on them. Then something happened and she became a nightmare. She went off everything and now is doing better. The only good thing was being on wellbutrin she quit smoking.
@AmbiePam (120861)
• United States
3 Sep 07
I didn't do well on the Wellbutrin SR, but the XL works fine for me. I know you said that won't work for you though. Lexapro is another good one. I don't think I had a single side affect from that one. One that DIDN'T work was Cymbalta. It almost felt Like I was taking a placebo.
@besthope44 (12123)
• India
12 Oct 10
Well for depression, medicines are not solution. Do Meditation, try breathing exercise, it will help you balance and handle depression.
@CaitBaby (446)
• United States
3 Sep 07
I thought I was bipolar for a time but it turns out that I only struggle with depression and anger management. I do know someone who is bipolar and I know that is very difficult to deal with. For your own sake I don't know if it's good for you to go without some sort of help. I am currently taking antidepressants for my depression and anger. I was on prozac for a time but it wasn't working out for me either. My therapist told me about lexapro. I have been on it for a few months now and so far it's working out very well for me. I haven't really had any side effects so far. I don't know if it for bipolar though. You should check it out. Good luck! :)
