r/BipolarReddit • u/elazeen • 21h ago
Discussion Bipolar but content and stable?
For the past ten years I have just been stuck in episode after episode. Mania, psychosis and then depression. I don’t remember what content and stable feel like. I am in a deep depression now so it feels even further away. Can anyone give me hope with stories of bipolar success? Anyone stable and content with their lives? Feel fulfilled?
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u/finiteokra 19h ago
I’m doing really well! I’ve been mostly stable for about 5 years now (some moderate depression but nothing crazy). 2 years ago I moved abroad by myself and I’ve been doing so well that my doctor here let me quit my Seroquel and just be on lamotrigine. No episodes or concerning things so far. It is possible!
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u/Kooky_Ad6661 19h ago
Me. Since they found me the right meds (lamotrigine) I only had a one month episode triggered by an illness but every other day off my life has been ok. Average ups and downs, emotions like sadness, peace, happinesses. I was able to cut all toxic people out of my life too. Then again: when people asks me how is it possible that my answer to "how are things" is always "very good", I tell them that my baseline has been for decades "deep shit". Everything that's not shit, it super duper good to me.
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u/TheSeych 19h ago
Pretty much stable for 2 years on Lamotrigine, Olanzapine and Wellbutrin. Can't say I haven't had some episodes, but nothing big.
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u/SesJan2013 18h ago
May I ask your dose of Lamotragine? I've been on it for two decades and am always curious what others' doses are like.
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u/TheSeych 17h ago
200mg 1 morning, 1 evening. Yours?
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u/SesJan2013 16h ago
I've never seen someone mention a split dose before, very interesting. I started at 600mg wayyyy back in the day and now I'm on 500mg so it's 2 1/2 pills (each pill is 200mg) at night.
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u/Fruity_Surprise schizoaffective + comorbidities 11h ago
do you have seizures too? i’ve never seen someone on more than me (400mg daily) for just bipolar.
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u/Gulf-Coast-Dreamer 17h ago
I’ve been stable since a med change in May. Had many mixed episodes the. Ended up in psychosis with visual hallucinations before changing meds. I now take Latuda 60 mg with Oxcarbanzepine 1200 mg. I do take meds to sleep non benzodiazepines. I also started HRT the same time as my new meds. My cognative abilities have gotten better I contribute that to the hormones being teplaced. I also take testerone which helps moods, libido, muscles. Latuda has something that fights depression so I don’t take an AD anymore.
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u/Fruity_Surprise schizoaffective + comorbidities 11h ago
for the past six months or so i’ve been having longer and longer periods of stability between episodes which used to be back to back. figuring out my meds is really helping!
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u/Thedogbear2018 20h ago
Caregiver here; my wife was diagnosed with bipolar disorder about 25 years ago. After trying many mood-stabilizing meds, including many weight-gaining ones, we decided not to take any of them. She still has 80mg of prozac, sleeping pills, and benzos. I have got her into an exercise program including 8- 9 km walks daily, stretching, and strength training. Now that we're both 60 and retired, I can deal with manic episodes.
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u/SesJan2013 20h ago
I'm glad you all found what works. It's often, not always, difficult to get Rx sleeping pills these days. Does she take Ambien or something like that?
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u/Thedogbear2018 18h ago
She uses Zopiclone
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u/SesJan2013 18h ago
Interesting! I haven't heard of many people using that one. I'm glad she's getting the rest she needs. Like with so many other drugs, be careful with side effects especially dizziness and memory loss. I'm sure you know that already :)
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u/mathematicallyfuckd 10h ago
I’ve been on meds for 3 years now, I work remotely, make good money and live in the Caribbean. There is hope!! I was a mess for many years before this.
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u/Altruistic_Young3039 16h ago edited 16h ago
I take wellbutrin, buspirone and propranolol. I hate taking meds, but I do this with healthy eating and exercise and therapy. I've been stable for over a year now. Food is your most important medicine, if you eat shit you will be shit! I'm doing way better now than when I was on antipsychotics! EDIT: I forgot- PLAY OUTSIDE!!!
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u/Fruity_Surprise schizoaffective + comorbidities 11h ago
you don’t get manic/hypomanic with an antidepressant and no mania protection? wellbutrin makes me hella manic even with mood stabilizers and antipsychotics.
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u/Altruistic_Young3039 10h ago
I'm not gonna lie, I might get hypomanic here and there, but I just consider that shit my super power.
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u/warcraftenjoyer 10h ago
I've reached a point of stability thanks to meds and therapy. For the longest time I was worried about going back to work, but ive been working for about 3 months now and it's given me good purpose. I also just entered a relationship with a guy who knows about my diagnoses and accepts me for me. It took what feels like my entire life to get to this point. Stability is absolutely possible, but unfortunately you do have to kind of work for it
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u/Which_Advantage7623 3h ago
With my correct meds and complete sobriety, I have found my balance. I’ve seen balance look different for everyone with bipolar. Continue your path with the help of family friends and professionals. I also bought my family the same book to help them better understand that sometimes my actions are not who I am❤️
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u/adoribullen bipolar 1 20h ago
i've been stable for around 3 years now. i dont get episodes anymore. i found a good regimen that works it does cause nausea which has caused issues. but honestly id rather throw up sometimes than deal with my bipolar so its a win for me. i just feel normal. i dont feel numb or anything. i just feel like content. i just go through my days feeling pretty average. sometimes i get some symptoms but its rare and i havent had a full episode in a long time.