Basically, here's the story. I have very severe bipolar disorder that is well controlled on medications. I see a therapist every two weeks. I've been noticing some more dramatic changes in my mood recently, and I want to know if anybody else who has bipolar disorder has the same problem. I'd like to ask if people needed medication adjustments post-op or how they managed the mood changes. I've been cycling between hypomanic and extremely tired but not actually depressed. I go on high speed for thirty hours or so and then crash for a couple of days, and it's annoying. I'm on disability because of my mental health problems, but I recently completed a course in medical transcription and I'd like to look for work, but I can't work with my body and mind doing this hyper-for-a-day-and-a-half, crash-for-two-days bit.

Has anybody else been through something like this? Should I call my psychiatrist and tell her about it? I'm not sure what to do.

(I don't have bipolar, but I am in a PhD program for Psychology so I can share some of my knowledge with you. )

I would definitely call your psychiatrist as soon as you can. Let them know what is going on and see if they want you to come in for an appointment. You will probably need a medication adjustment. DO keep taking the dose you are prescribed until you see your psychiatrist. Don't increase or decrease until they see you. In the meantime, try to see if you can write down any new symptoms or issues that have been occurring or anything that is bothering you. Handing your doctor or therapist a list or outline of what you are experiencing is very helpful to them, and aides you so you don't have to remember everything when you get there.

You will be OK. I'm sure its just a slight medication tweak that needs to happen.

Thanks! It's 8:30 pm my time, so I can't really call my psychiatrist now, but I'll phone her in the morning and see what she has to say.

Hellow azdesert rose, i too have smi bipolar 1 and general anx disorder. I am waiting on my ssdi. Hearing june 11. I want to.take back pay and go to mx. O live in mesa. I have mercy care and i dont want to jump over the hoops. I am being TX by nurse practioners. They are really good. Good luck to you.

Many have problems initially, but due to so many different reasons. I had no problems with my seroquel and Paxil, but In maintenance, I immediately started regain, due to the Seroquel XR. Meet with your PsyDoc and talk to a master's level pharmacist who has experience in this department...

I'm having a hell of a time lately. I think I'm over medicated at 100 pounds down. I'm super irritable and so thin skinned that I fled work the other day. I'm also living in a new city 2 hours from my spouse who monitors my routines and dietary intake. I see a new therapist on Thursday who I hope can point me in the right direction. I know I'm triggering and my meds are suddenly not working the same. Ugh. I hate being flammable! Sorry for the vent.

I have bipolar with anxiety. Question is how do you take your meds? I'm on 3 dif ones and they can't b crushed! No capsules just pills, dr said I can't take whole at first, then if smaller than m&m can take. But that's like when your eating food.

I'm on Forfivoh, which is a fairly large XR pill and I take it whole just fine. I started taking it whole on Day 2 and just explained to my surgeon that I couldn't crush it because it was XR. He understood. My suggestion would be to talk to your doctor and see what he suggests.

Does anyone here take lithium? I am just worried about levels/vitamin deficiency. My psychiatrist said he's had patients who have done really well with WLS, and then one who was really messed up on her meds for a year (issues with absorption, not sure which surgery they had). I also take lamictal and am in the process of increasing my dosage. Just curious what people's experience has been. I have been stable for awhile now and don't want to have serious issues!

Hi I take lithium, before surgery I took 450mg at morning and again at night. I had blood tests after surgery and my levels were through the roof (dangerously) my dr advised to only take 450mg and night and forget morning altogether. Since then I have been absolutely fine

Hi I take lithium, before surgery I took 450mg at morning and again at night. I had blood tests after surgery and my levels were through the roof (dangerously) my dr advised to only take 450mg and night and forget morning altogether. Since then I have been absolutely fine

Thanks! That's really helpful. I'm definitely planning to see my doctor more frequently after the surgery but it's still nerve wracking. Part of the reason I gained so much weight to begin with was psych meds so I'm always really careful about any changes.

Hi everyone! I have Rapid-Cycling Bipolar Disorder, I will be having surgery on August 13th. I'm so glad that this post exists! I know that I will have to have my medicine adjusted as I lose weight. My doctor told me that the hormones will affect my meds as well. I'd love to hear all of your experiences with the hormones and how they affected your bipolar.

Hi! My doctor said the same thing about med changes and hormones. I'm scheduled for Aug 12th and would also love peoples input and experience. I'm glad this thread is here!

Initially I was hypomanic-which I attribute to the anesthesia.. Then I started over absorbing almost everything (I have been on this cocktail forever & it was like all my side effects amplified like crazy-most noticeable was tiredness & word finding problems) & they halved most all the doses.

I had the sleeve.

They did not stop any psych meds when I was in the hospital & no crushing anything. I was fine.

I have bipolar as well. My surgeon warned me very strongly that after I have the surgery I will likely experience heightened symptoms for a while because of all the hormones being released by the weight loss. Has anyone else here had to go through extra mental health clearance because of your bipolar? I've already been cleared by the surgeon's counselor but he won't do the surgery unless I can also get my therapist and psychiatrist to fill out forms as well.

Hi Whitchystar, I've been in your shoes... I have Bipolar with Anxiety, I had to get a letter from my physiologists. I wouldn't ask him because he is the best there is in our town. I see a psychologists every 2 weeks now, just started that few months ago. Been seeing him every week for years.

Since he knew me better than my psych Dr I asked him to write a letter. He did and it went through just fine.

I have had too readjust my meds probably a year and half ago? They put me on Abilify, took that for a year I guess, 1/2 pill twice a day. When I asked if I could take it whole he said go ahead and try, well it didn't work even going back on it twice a day. Been taking Seraquel XR for 5 months and have awful side effects with it. Last month I saw dr again he put me on Latuda, I've only been on it a few days now. I also take Celexa and Welbutrin. So yes your meds might change on you too.

Take your paper into the Phychiatrist on your 15 min apt and ask him then to fill it out.

I