Bipolar 2

[Spacey306]

Today after years of taking anti depressants, I have been diagnosed with bipolar type 2. Really nervous about physical effects of coming off my venlafaxine, (300mg). I have a choice of lithium or an anti psychotic that i need to think about , feel over whelmed ! Any one have any experience ?

The side effects of antipsychotics and lithium varies from person to person.

I would ask the doctor what medicine they think suits best your symptoms. They have had years of studies and experience and they are actually paid for doing that job. I was given a print out over ten pages where all sort of meds were listed. I binned it and ask the doctor to decide.

I have bipolar 2 and am on antipsychotics (ariprazole) and they work well for me. I was offered lithium but wanted to try these first and so far they’ve worked well for me.

Thankyou for replying, how have you found the weight gain ?

I'm bipolar 2 and on venlafaxine.......have your symptoms changed......? Is that why they're suggesting lithium?

I haven’t put on any weight with them which is one of the reasons I want to stay on them:)

I'm on venlafaxine but it isn't used to treat bipolar, it's for anxiety/depression. My psychiatrist told me they can actually make you worse! She told me the medication I can have, I've looked online on some bipolar websites and the two I said are the main ones, I've been on venlafaxine for about five years but they don't help at all. So I'm looking at the anti psychotics now, seems the best option :)

Which antipsychotic was recommended? There are quite a few and work in different ways/help different symptoms.

@Spacey306 shit, 5 years is a long time to be on something that you feel didn't work!!!

The trouble was I kept saying I was fine, often I'd go to an appointment on a high , can't bare to go when im low. But everything got out of control so finally agreed to see a psychiatrist. Think I was in denial and didn't want to be diagnosed stupidly !

@historyrocks I can't remember the name unfortunately but I know the lithium meant blood tests weekly for a while 12 hours after ive taken the tablet. so confused with it all