Hi, Im only new and just been diagnosed with Bipolar,OCD,PTSD Ive been give medication called Zoloft, and only been taking it for 2days.. Any advice or experience with Bipolar,OCD,PTSD, and any information on what types of medications work.
What are the best medication for Bipolar? What are the best medications for PTSD? What are the best medications for OCT?
Is there a type of medication that covers the 3??? Any recommedations or advice would be great. Just asking so i can talk to my doctor as discuss other meds that may help me.
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6 Answers
AR
arnieandcaroline
22 July 2017
How it God's I believe their is not one PTSD meetings for Non Combat Veteran I lived in New Hampshire yes I am Veteran.
Votes: +0
IN
Inactive
26 Sep 2011
The person who said you treat the symptoms you are having is correct about PTSD and OCD as well I believe, but I know bi-polar has specific medications such as anti-psychotics, which would also help your OCD in most cases. I was diagnosed with PTSD a year ago after 14 years of thinking I had major depression only and since then I have gotten so much better. I was on Zoloft two separate times for over a year, and both times it made me feel worse instead of better, but that is what all of the SSRI/SNRI meds do for me. I gained weight on it as well. My therapist and psychiatrist tell me that the treatment for PTSD is intensive therapy. I am on Klonopin for the anxiety and panic attacks, Wellbutrin for depression, and currently Keppra for chronic daily headache and migraines.
My doctors have prescribed me anti-psychotics but I did not take them because of the side effects associated with them- weight gain, drowsiness, lack of emotion, and more. But I have taken many medications and I noticed that when I took Topamax for my headache preventative, it really helped my mood, and I later learned that it is used to treat PTSD in some people. It also has a lot of side effects, but after a month they wore off, except for the weight loss and hair loss which made me eventually stop the drug. Zoloft and other SSRI's are widely prescribed for PTSD and anxiety, but they did not work in my case. I am doing ok now- with therapy and the med combo I have right now. I would talk to your doc about Topamax if you feel the Zoloft isn't helping you. Best wishes.
Votes: +0
TX
TXCASTYLIST1
17 Sep 2011
Hi there :) I am also a bipolar; along with depression and diabetes type ii. For my depression I take zoloft just like you -- my dosage is 100mgs every morning for almost 3 years now. As for my depression, I take Seroquel 200mgs in the morning and 200 mgs in the evening along with depakote 500mgs in the evening too. I hope I was able to help you somehow. Best wishes to you always. Rf
Votes: +0
ST
Stacey Harbach
14 Sep 2011
I've been Bipolar for 23 yrs. It took alot of hit and misses.Some people may go 5 yrs and all of a sudden they need new meds. Not everyone goes through this. I am Bipolar with underlying symptoms such as OCD, Panic attacks, anxiety attacks, sometimes mixed episodes and I am a rapid cycler. and so on. My meds are Lamictal, 200 mgs at bed time and 200 mgs in the morning. This is for my mood swings. I used to take lithium and I gained alot of weight and was more depressed because of it. Lamictal has no weight gain for me. I also take Klonopin for anxiety and panic attacks. I take Tofrinil for anti depression. for ADHD, Adderall 30 mgs xr. A one point a few yrs ago, I was taking 7 meds. I've been on these meds for 6 yrs plus. You might take a list of these meds to your psyc and it might be of good info for you. Some times I have to take an Anti-psycotic for major break downs. But not on a regular basis. Mine was zyprexa.
They also use these meds for PTSD. I hope this helps you. Most meds take 30 days or so to take full effect. This is my cocktail. It might not work for you. Every one is different so don't fret. You will find a cocktail for you. It might take awhile but you will find one for you.
Votes: +0
ME
Mediyuck
17 Sep 2011
hi Stacey! I was first diagnosed with bipolar in 77..just took meds a brief while and ended up using the anti depressants and valiums to control my drinking. Jan 86 I ended up in tx for 30 days where I was treated for alcoholism and the bi-polar again. I have been on a gamut of medications over the years, Had ETC in early 91 or 92 to treat the depression. ever since I have been treated for bipolar mixed. since 2001 I was given lamictal and something to sleep for the bipolar and insomnia (which I was told I had sleep apnea), Best thing was getting the diagnosis of PTSD when I was given EMDR tx (left brain/right brain movements) and that was short term and did not require any meds! Only I got triggered again and the current mental health people where I live wont treat it due to lack of funding. a former pyschologist added ADD, but recently discovered that I wasnt treated for it any longer since the current woman who presribes the meds didnt believe I have it. sad indeed
IN
Inactive
13 Sep 2011
Welcome JSMUZZ. Zoloft is used to treat the three diagnosis. Its the 3 in 1 you were asking about. Even, in a diagnosis for instance bi-polar, that alone has several specfic diagnosis. The manic bi-polar person, the euthmic bi-poloar person, and the depressed bi-polar person. All treated with different drug(s). I suggest when you next meet again with your doctor, what is relatively new in the world of psychiatric drugs (For example seroquel), in drug time still considered relatively new, versus say lithium, what I call a so called golden oldie. Remember, most psychiatric drugs carry some baggage, meaning side-effects and of course depending on the dose, will play a factor, on say your moods, sleep patterns, appetite, and libido. Wishing you the best, and let us know how its going for you.
Votes: +1
LA
LaurieShay
13 Sep 2011
Hey JSMUZZ,
Let me first say that treating these disorders is more a matter of treating the individuals symptoms than treating the diagnosis. The disorders will manifest slightly different for everyone some having more depression, others more anxiety, others more cycling mood swings and others more obessesive/compulsive behaviors. Zoloft is a good choice for treating all of these conditions.
Fortunately, there are many medicines to choose from to help treat the symptoms. If zoloft doesn't happen to work for you, there are meds such as Lexapro and Paxil for treating the anxiety and depression. Once you are stable on an antidepressant that also treats anxiety such as the Zoloft, the doctor may add a second medicine to help with mood swings if that is an issue. Medicines for this are many and include Abilify and Lamictal. But again it depends on the specific way you symptoms manifest as to which med is the best to choose.
Work with your doctor, take it one medicine at a time, and remember one size does not fit all. It is a trial and error sort of process.
Best wishes,
Laurie
Votes: +0
LU
luce l b
10 Dec 2011
Very wise and informed response. I would just add that it can take 4-6weeks before you know the effect a medication has on/for you. Hang in there. I have also found psychotherapy to be extremely helpful along with meds,especially with my PTSD.
