Bi-polar Disorder with Chronic Pain
 

I am 40 years old and have been diagnosed with type 2 Bi-polar disorder along with severe depression. I also suffer from chronic lower back pain due to 2 degenerating disks. My medications are:
Morphine Sulfate 100mg x2
Vicodin 7.5/500 x2
Cyclobenzaprine 10mg x1
Seroquel 200mg x1
Pristiq 50mg x1
Vyvanse 50mg x1

My question is this, (and it will be very difficult to answer, I apologize) How does the Bi-polar disorder effect the chronic pain issue and how does the chronic pain effect the Bi-polar disorder? I have no doubt that they work against each other. My current medications for the depression and Bi-polar are not working. I am with a new phychiatrist and he is not really aggressive with medications. I don't mind that, but I have GOT to find the right combination to feel better. I am not working right now and am trying to decide whether to apply for disability or wait and see if we can get to the right combination of medications so that I can return to work. In my current situation, there is no way I could hold down a job. This in itself is an extremely stressful situation and does not help matters. I will gladly accept any advise I can get.
Thank you.

I too live with Chronic Pain (RSD) and BiPolar 1.

I so far find no link between the two... I'm not saying that it isn't possible as anything is possible... just not in my case.

I can only suggest that you are completely open with your Psychiatrist. Let him/her know that the combination of medicines you are on are not working for you. REMEMBER: If you don't pass this information along, he/she will never know.

I wish you the best!
:)
Abbie

Hi,

Welcome.

Is your pain being treated?
That would certainly interact with mood.

Vicodin would interact with depression I'm guessing.
I'm sorry that I can't really give you imput on the list of meds -- not seeing anything on the list that jumps out at me because not an expert.
Is Vyvanse helping for ADHD or for mood?


The best thing to do is to talk to your pdoc.
Ask your pdoc to be more aggressive -- talk about your goals and needs. Talk about your expectations.
And if he or she cannot work with you, then find another pdoc.
Sometimes it helps to get the pdoc to talk to the other docs for you so that they can be on the same page (This only works sometimes because some docs don't communicate very well.)

Pushing hard to get on a better med plan can give you more opportunities than you have now. Whether or not you apply for disability, you can possibly (and quite probably) get your moods better regulated.

M.

Not positive, but I believe the seroquel might be what the doc thinks
will help the depression.

But I'm not sure about that. Because its known to help with anxeity.

I personally think, applying for Disability, and not needing it. WOuld be
better, than waiting and losing maybe a couple of years.

Because the way most chronic pain situations are lately, its taking a couple
of years or more.

So do what you need to do.

Donna

reply to all
 

The Vyvanse is for the treatment of fatigue. One of my major symptoms with depression is extreme fatigue. The Vyvanse does actually help that and makes me feel more "human" during the day. I like it and would recommend it to anyone who suffers from fatigue. (pretty much anyone who has severe depression...lol)

What meds are you guys taking, especially for Bi-Polar disorder? Is it working for you? I still know little about the disease and how it affects me on a daily basis, even though I have done a lot of research.

I read a little about the pristiq which is for depresson like effexor but "better". How long have you been on this?
you should ask your pdoc (psychiatrist) about a mood stabilizer. seroquel is good for anxiety. I take lamictal, it also has antidepressant qualities.
I also take geodon which is like seroquel, an antipsychotic.
keep us posted
hope you feel better soon!
beth

reply
 

I have been on the Pristiq for about 3 weeks "this time". I have taken it several times before and was on Effexor XR for a long time. Effexor is a good antidepressant but it makes me really mean. I had to stop taking it. The Pristiq only gives me headaches occassionally but its not bad.
The hard part about having several issues is finding a drug combination that will treat each issue effectively.

I have heard that coming off effexor can be hard...did you just switch over?
having any side effects? could be the reason for your headaches if you did just switch.
hoping that your day is alright.
beth

Effexor
 

No, I have been off the Effexor for some time. It is TOUGH coming off that stuff. It is almost like withdrawal from a narcotic. The Pristiq is supposed to be a "refined" version of Effexor. I have had no side effects with the Pristiq except for the headaches. There is also no withdrawal when you come off.
I may have mentioned this before, but the Vyvance is a great drug for severe depression. It is actually for ADHD but works really well for other symptoms.
I highly reccommend it.

Hi, I am recently diagnosed with BiPolar 2 as well...since June. Often we cannot take antidepressants ( I can't) because they make us manic (this could be acted out as mean). I took Prozac for years and then it just stopped working..my doc thought of BP2 right away with my other symptoms. I was in severs depression as well at the time. Now I am on Lithium Carbonate, lamictal and clonidine...seems to be working well as the dose of lamictal is increased.(you have to work up slowly) This site has been helpful to me, I hope it is for you. People here are very caring and understanding.
PS... I love your state...SC is beautiful, we are vacationing there in Sept.