Question:

My heart goes out to you and your fiance. Anti-depressants can trigger a manic episode, particularly the SSRIs (Paxil, Zoloft, et al). They also may induce or aggravate rapid cycling – moving from the highest high to the lowest low several times in a given time period (which varies from doc to doc. Stress causes me to have manic episodes. My dad died unexpectedly in April, and I acted like a complete nut. Yelling, crying, assuming everyone was out to get me…all this at my father’s funeral. I viewed every new depression as a failure.  That’s because I thought I could make myself stop having them.  Seems wacky now but as you know us BP’s are a creativelot! My doc took me off Paxil, substituted Wellbutrin, and gradually introduced Zoloft. I have been on mood stablizers throughout (Lithium and Depakote).  I haven’t had a manic or depressive episode since November. The biggest thing for me is knowing that people love me even when I don’t. These are the people who remind me that the clouds will lift and life is worth living since my illness has been diagnosed and treated. This is too long, but I’m not going to edit it. If your fiance has a psychiatrist, she should share what you shared here, exploring ways to handle stress.  Good luck! Before you buy.

Response:

YES!!! Paxil and zoloft both did it for me and it has happened bot with and without a mood tabilizer…

Response:

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Anti-depressants without a stabilizer sent me into a hypomanic ride last year. I ended up in the hospital for a month suffering major depression.  They started me on Effexor and I went hypomanic…they refused to put me back on it and tried Wellbutrin with Lithium, Neurontin and Depakote. I was fine for several months then got depressed went back in the hospital and begged them to try Effexor again since it was the only med that turned on the lights in my head. My docs did and I was fine since I had stabilizers. I was off meds for 6 months recently and headed towards trouble. I am now back on Effexor XR with Lithium and Neurontin daily. I feel fine and have been on this regime for 2 months. Sorry for the lengthy story here…We’re all different but my I’ve heard that rapid cycling and mixed state bipolar is the touchiest to treat with a.d’s because they can loft one towards mania. Hope things get better for your loved one. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> hi. > been here before about 8 months ago . my girlfriend was diagnosed bi-polar > then and went through a 2 week / then 8 week spell in hospital . she ended > up being on 1000mg of pridal (litium ) and not sure the mg of effexor . > now she is back in hospital again . Could the effexor have been a > contributing factor ? . > 2nd Q .. > we were due to get married the last time it happened but couldn’t because of > the attack… We were going to my brothers wedding this time and even though > she went through the weekend fine (actually on a bit of a high), a few days > later this happened .  Seeing as she had a 6 year run without an episode > until last march and again now , is it possible that without major events to > trigger the disorder that she can have a relatively normal life or am i just > grabbing at straws? > thanking you > david o mahony

Response:

David, I don’t know the answer to your first question.  I suspect that most antidepressants have the capability of sending BiPolars into mania, but I will leave it to the pros to give you the final say on that one. As far as your girlfriend living a "normal" life between emotional upsets, it’s hard to say.  Even if it were possible to remain stable when things are ducky, how could you or her forsee or stop potential upheaval?  I think your best bet is to arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can about her illness…and her particular patterns…each one of us is different.   If you marry you must be prepared to deal with her illness. Then you must be willing to stick with her even when theings get out of control.  The last thing she needs is her husband abandoning her during a critical episode of depression or mania.   If you are unable to imagine the worst,and still stand by her then I commend you.  If    you can’t than you will be doing a great disservice to the both of  you.  The best of everything and good luck.

Response:

hi. been here before about 8 months ago . my girlfriend was diagnosed bi-polar then and went through a 2 week / then 8 week spell in hospital . she ended up being on 1000mg of pridal (litium ) and not sure the mg of effexor . now she is back in hospital again . Could the effexor have been a contributing factor ? . 2nd Q .. we were due to get married the last time it happened but couldn’t because of the attack… We were going to my brothers wedding this time and even though she went through the weekend fine (actually on a bit of a high), a few days later this happened .  Seeing as she had a 6 year run without an episode until last march and again now , is it possible that without major events to trigger the disorder that she can have a relatively normal life or am i just grabbing at straws? thanking you david o mahony

Response: