Its so difficult to say. My partner was first put on sodium valproate at diagnosis and it lifted him out of the serious depression (he was suicidal) and to him it was a godsend. He realised the benefits immediately, but to me nothing had much changed. He was still stuck in that cycle of depression but not as bad. Then we moved 300 miles to a new area and had to start the process all again with a new mental health team. He started playing around with his meds and eventually came off them. I noticed the rapid cycling coming back but he didnt (its always us that notices first I think)
Now they are trying him with new meds, and he realises if he doesn't take them, the team won't help him. he is still so desperate to lead a normal life, that he will do anything I think at the moment. These new meds are a combination of anti depressant/mood stabilser and an anti psychotic as he is having a mixed episode at the moment of dysphoric mania and underlying depression with anxiety.
Its been about 2 months and the tiredness has hit him hard. He sleeps for roughly 15-18 hours a day, they just knock him out. The side effects of the meds are still biting him on the arse, so its hard to tell if they are working. I can see a change in his behaviour though, he is not displaying any dyshoric mania in a negative way, no anger, no irritability etc, which is a huge relief for me! But he is not functioning as a human being either, which knocks our relationship on the head.
Only time will tell, st the moment they are seeing him every 4 weeks and increasing the meds by 10MG (alternatively) each time.
I have hope xx
Discussion Topic
How long does it take to see changes?
Posted on 11/28/08, 12:52 pm
Hi all!
I know many people on here have a spouse with bipolar and have shared with me that through correct meds and therapy they and their spouse are very happy. Clearly its never easy though.
My question is to those people, how long did it take? My husband was diagnosed last year, they didn't get his meds right for a year, he is back in treatment now. They changed many of his meds, I think they are working better, but maybe not the right dosage yet. He is getting intensive inpatient therapy for at least 5 more weeks. He seemed really out of it at Thanksgiving and still won't let many people in, outside of his doctors and others in the program (which is challenging because I know family therapy increased his chances of success-he is also a pain pill addict, clean for 14 months).
So, how long is "normal" for him to go through this before the therapy and meds really seem to help? He is certainly willing and dedicated this time, so I know it isn't lack of committment. Did it take you guys weeks, months, years? I realize that is a tough question because each case is so different. Any stories are appreciated!
I know many people on here have a spouse with bipolar and have shared with me that through correct meds and therapy they and their spouse are very happy. Clearly its never easy though.
My question is to those people, how long did it take? My husband was diagnosed last year, they didn't get his meds right for a year, he is back in treatment now. They changed many of his meds, I think they are working better, but maybe not the right dosage yet. He is getting intensive inpatient therapy for at least 5 more weeks. He seemed really out of it at Thanksgiving and still won't let many people in, outside of his doctors and others in the program (which is challenging because I know family therapy increased his chances of success-he is also a pain pill addict, clean for 14 months).
So, how long is "normal" for him to go through this before the therapy and meds really seem to help? He is certainly willing and dedicated this time, so I know it isn't lack of committment. Did it take you guys weeks, months, years? I realize that is a tough question because each case is so different. Any stories are appreciated!
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Reply #1 11/28/08 2:31pm
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Reply #2 11/28/08 7:01pm
It seems that with each person it is different. My husband has been dealing with BP since he was younger. He was diagnosed at age 15. When we first got together he wasnt on any medication. He has had his meds switched a few different times and we have now found one that works. He is on Geodon, trazadone and zoloft and each drug was given at different intervals so I believe that it took about 6 months for him to have a good dosage in his system. -
Reply #3 11/29/08 9:08pm
From my experience, it took me 2 yrs of meds and therapy before everything fell together. Lamictal is what got me to be normal. Had they given me that to start of with it would have saved me a lot of time. I went to many inpatient hospitals but was always kicked out being told I was a tired house wife and given anti-depression meds. I finally found a private hospital and went there. I only relapsed when my husband went manic and destroyed everything in our life and then left me and the kids. He is in denial of his BP but our Dr. wanted him to go on Lamictal also.
So not to be a depressing factor but from what I have seen and read about 2yrs is the norm, but my psych teacher tells me there are alot of advances that will help determine the best meds for each patient. That would be great. Just know it does take a lot of work to get better so if they dont really want it it wont get better.
Good luck!! -
Reply #4 11/30/08 1:02pm
h a persons system to start working....
t really depends of the individuals chemistry, the meds & the dr.
My husband was on depakote for over 6 months with no releif. His dr wanted to stay on it and just kept changing the dose. Ewventually, he switched to abilify, which he was on for just over 2 months, and he started to cycle so we put an end to that. Finally after talking tro the d4r about the meds my husbands father is on (he's bp too) they put him on tegretol and it'a done wonders.
My husband has been on seroquel the entire time (they just kept changing the doses around.)
Some meds work really well for some people & don't at all for others... & drs like to give 6 to 8 months for meds to kick.
I've talked to a few drs & a phamacists that said you should start to see results within 1 month... as in they're getting better or worse. It dosen't take 6 months for meds to work througg -
Reply #5 11/30/08 1:02pm
h a persons system to start working....
t really depends of the individuals chemistry, the meds & the dr.
My husband was on depakote for over 6 months with no releif. His dr wanted to stay on it and just kept changing the dose. Ewventually, he switched to abilify, which he was on for just over 2 months, and he started to cycle so we put an end to that. Finally after talking tro the d4r about the meds my husbands father is on (he's bp too) they put him on tegretol and it'a done wonders.
My husband has been on seroquel the entire time (they just kept changing the doses around.)
Some meds work really well for some people & don't at all for others... & drs like to give 6 to 8 months for meds to kick.
I've talked to a few drs & a phamacists that said you should start to see results within 1 month... as in they're getting better or worse. It dosen't take 6 months for meds to work througg -
Reply #6 11/30/08 3:59pm
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Reply #7 12/01/08 3:44pm
I hope it keeps getting better for you.
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