Preventing manic episodes

[Chain Lightning]

I saw my p/doc a few weeks ago and he wanted me to add risperidone to my lithium. I told him I was happy and wasn't going to try and change that because I have been having lots of fun and acomplishing a lot. Long story short, it kept escalating until I was very manic, flipping out on people and was starting to hallucinate (don't ask what LOL )...anyways then my mom tried to call the cops on me when we were in an arguement because I kept hitting stuff and shoved her. I didn't let her...at some point I was thinking how overwhelmed I was feeling and started taking the risperidone. I really helped a lot, even made me sleep but...it made my neck cramp up so I quit taking it. I also had started taking more lithium a few days before the risp. So thankgoodness the edge has been taken off my manic high, my thoughs still race, I'm still hyper but uncoordinated now, I feel overwhelmed at times, people in public think I'm a crackhead,...etc but its getting better slowly.

I am wondering...lack of sleep and stress triggers 99% of my episodes...I can tell from my journal...so like is there something I could take to chill out BEFORE the mania sets in, like if something stresses me out real bad and/or I can't sleep...is there something I could just take to chill so the trigger won't affect me. Not take everyday but you know what I mean. Does that work or do I need another mood stabilizer?

CL

 

[Andy]

You could ask your doctor for a PRN such as clonazepam (just an examaple of a Benzo). That is something I take and find it helpful. If your prone to addiction or self medicating/abusing meds though it's probably not the best thing and your doctor may not even prescribe it.
Just a suggestion. I am not a medical professional.

 

[Chain Lightning]

I am diagnosed with cannabis abuse but I haven't smoked in 3 years. I have a script for codeine and clearly do not abuse it, it never bothers me either...even when I'm manic. I wonder if he would write me one...a small one and see how it goes. I think the least amount of meds is best for my long term health...taking somethinig every now and then is better than something added everyday. I'd rather just take lithium everyday.

 

[Andy]

I agree. A prn is better then adding to meds. If your psychiatrist doesn't have a problem with it he could rx 5 (for example) and if you haven't taken them all in a unreasonable amount of time then it might be something you could use indefinitely.

 

[forgetmenot]

i think also talking with your doctor is must okay Let your doctor know what happened get his or her input into what will help you prevent this again.
The benzo family has been used as a prn when emotions do get to out of control but i wonder if something is added daily with your other meds if that will prevent an episode all together Just a thought i think as STP stated talk with your doctor okay give him or her a clear picture of what has happened

 

[Always Changing]

at some point I was thinking how overwhelmed I was feeling and started taking the risperidone. I really helped a lot, even made me sleep but...it made my neck cramp up so I quit taking it.

Is your pdoc aware that you have stopped taking it? maybe it just needed to be adjusted some bit?. I am thinking that if it help so much that maybe it really does need to be in the mix, (prevention being better than a manic ep).

You refer to your Journal, can you see what or if there are particular stressors that crop up regularly? can you prevent them from appearing or happening?. Working to keep those stressors down will help big time and help the medication to do its job too.
I agree with the others, talk to your doctor about the diff options open to you, only they and you really know what will work for you.

 

[Chain Lightning]

I didn't call him about the risp. I can tell I am gradually coming down from the extra lithium (he wrote my script so I can adjust that myself). So I am just waiting until my appointment to talk to him. I figure as long as I am getting better why bother. And the risp. is a very low dose, I happen to be very sensitive to it like with many other meds.

As for the journal, yeah there are certain things that set me off. My ex-b/f is one of them as is my mother (who is also bipolar). I live with my parents because I am not always employable, so I can't avoid her. My ex called me a while back...every now and then he appears, hopeful I'll get back with him. I always disappoint him. This last time that he talked to me was only allowed because I wanted some guitars that he had of mine after like 2-3yrs! If it was CDs, clothes or something I would have said screw it but not 3 guitars! Talking to him or running into him somewhere itself isn't a big deal, I'm so over him I don't care. The problem is every time I see him, it reminds me of something he did to me. Basically what he did was I really liked on of his friends and he blocked me. He said he is sorry but I know he isn't because he is always mad when he says it resentfully. I guess he thinks I am stupid and will believe his fake "sorry". So every time I think of him it makes me mad. I really should talk to my therapist about it...my reason I haven't is stupid, I don't want to think about it and get upset but it upsets me anyway. I see her this coming week.

Trying to hold a part time job really really puts me out of whack. Is like I can kind of manage on my own schedule adjusted to how I am feeling, like I can keep a rhythm going and do fairly well but not something strict that stresses me out and doesn't allow me time when I need it. Then that frustrates me even more, having no income and living w/ my parents is not exactly the life I want. Then I also have social anxiety disorder/panic attacks (not had one in a long time).

CL