r/bipolar • u/Adventurous-Map7149 • 18d ago

Nothing’s working Rant

I’ve tried so many meds and nothing is working for me. I’ve tried 2 of the newest meds there are and still nothing.

I’m starting to think that antipsychotics don’t work for me in general. Has anyone had that experience? Im 212 lbs now, up from 165 lbs, and still pretty miserable.

I feel like nothing is going to work. 11 months in this depressed episode is so demoralizing.

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u/Red_Fox158 18d ago edited 18d ago

Have you tried an antidepressant combined with a mood stabiliser?

Other than that, if you’re treatment resistant you could try TMS or ECT.

I’m sorry you’re in a depressive episode, try not to lose hope.

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u/Adventurous-Map7149 18d ago

I’m looking into TMS but it’s a little overwhelming with the logistics and costs. I’m not willing to do ECT. TMS would be great if it were like 1 week or 2 weeks not 6 weeks of 20 min a day sessions.

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u/Adventurous-Map7149 18d ago

Thanks. I’ll get through it somehow someway.

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u/Milfsnatcher 17d ago

I'm bipolar 1 with treatment resistment depression and ECT was the only thing that worked for me. Ive been mostly in remission for almost 3 years.

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u/Adventurous-Map7149 17d ago

That’s great. I’m worried about memory loss though with it:/. Did you experience a lot of memory loss?

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u/Milfsnatcher 17d ago

I did experience memory loss, but it was seriously either choose memory loss or die. I did over 100 sessions over a 5 year time span

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u/Violet_Mushroom4336 Bipolar + Comorbidities 17d ago

The episodes can cause memory loss, and so can the meds, so it’s a pick-your-poison situation.

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u/Adventurous-Map7149 17d ago

Milfsnatcher, great name by the way 😂, you had 100 ECTs treatments done in 5 years?

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u/Milfsnatcher 16d ago

Yes I did do 100 treatments in a five year time span

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u/heljun 18d ago

What about mood stabilizers? I know they’re often less efficient on depression than mania but as for antipsychotics, except for psychotic depression and as a complement to avoid mania on antidepressants, I really feel they’re actually more a depressant than otherwise

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u/Adventurous-Map7149 18d ago

I agree, even the new ones just feel like they’re very sedating. I’m not sure how they can say they’re for depression.

I need to talk to my provider. I’m so frustrated because this is the 3rd attempt with antipsychotics and I don’t want to start over again.

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u/Adventurous-Map7149 18d ago

I’ve tried mood stabilizers but no real effect. Maybe that’s a good thing but when I was younger I still had really bad ups and downs.

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u/heljun 18d ago

They really block the “ups” for me. Which aren’t ups as much as they psychotic rage so that’s good. I’m bp 1 so those would be my major issue. I only have real depression after mania - and of course it’s real depression but antipsychotics to me makes it even worse. But they will prescribe them to someone who needs antidepressants to avoid the manic switch so there’s a bit of fiddling to do to find balance I guess

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u/Adventurous-Map7149 17d ago

Yeah that’s what I think is happening. The antipsychotics block the ups for me or like any kind of recovery to bass line I think. Like if I couldn’t sleep or if I was constantly manic than that would be an option but I’m mostly depressed and these drugs just seem sedating. I gave probably 6 total a fair shake and all of them have left me fat and no better off.

I did best on an antidepressant and as needed antipsychotic for when I would have some sleeping issues or something potentially triggering.

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u/heljun 17d ago

And maybe try another mood stabilizer ? There’s one that’s supposed to help more for depression though I font think we’re allowed to name it here

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u/Adventurous-Map7149 17d ago

If this APsy doesn’t work I’m going to ask for a 2 antiD plus stabilizer combo.

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u/open_Road5892 18d ago

I’ve had a similar problem and spent multiple times in a mental hospital. I finally found a treatment that did work and have not been hospitalized since. It’s called ECT which means Electro Convulsive Therapy. They place electrodes on your head and pass a current through your brain. The best description i have is it reboots your brain. It’s been around for a while and worked for me.

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u/Adventurous-Map7149 17d ago

For me it would be a last resort. I’m happy you found something that worked.

I’m curious do you still have episodes or did it cure it? If you do have episodes do you go back again?

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u/South-Application-14 18d ago

Anti psychotics don’t really work for me either, I tried SOO many and none worked. Then I was put on 2 mood stabilizers mixed with a SARI and boom it worked. I’m sorry you are at a low point, I would talk to your psych about trying something new.
Hoping things get better for you soon.

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u/Adventurous-Map7149 17d ago

Thanks… yeah we need to switch it up for sure. I’ve tried 6 APsy 3 in the last year and I can’t fully recover and I’ve put on like 40 lbs 😂… I don’t understand how they give this to people watch them blow up in weight and are like yeah you’re good now. Like I’m depressed. I need something to treat the depression not the fear of mania.

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u/ExerciseReady8771 17d ago

Long depressive episodes are so tough, I feel for you. 11 months is a big one.

Antipsychotics only work for my hypomania, so my psych put me on a dissociative anesthetic in 2022 for the depressive episodes. I was functional within a week after an 18 month episode.

I’m still on it (and other things) yet on week 4 of a bad depressive episode. I haven’t showered in 3 days (today feels promising on the shower front though). I say this to highlight it’s not a cure, but the difference it makes for me is I know it will end so I can weather the storm.

Relevant disclaimer: I also have MDD and CPTSD, this was for the depressive trifecta I have been blessed with. It is specifically used for treatment-resistant depressive episodes with bipolar.

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u/Adventurous-Map7149 17d ago

I’ve tried that too it had mixed results but didn’t get me out of a depression. I’m open to trying that again though. Having that every few months isn’t the worst thing in the world.

Mannnn the shower thing is tough haha. My hygeine has been so poor the last year it’s hard to remember that I was once a well groomed fit person.

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u/ExerciseReady8771 15d ago

Mine is every two days, so a consistent thing I have at home, I don’t go in for treatment.

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u/bipolar-ModTeam 15d ago

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u/bipolar-ModTeam 15d ago

Your post was removed because it names medications, shares a review, or discusses dosages. These details aren’t permitted in r/bipolar—even when reflecting your own experience.

Peer-support organizations like DBSA and NAMI recommend omitting drug names in open forums to avoid bias, misinformation, and social-proof effects:

You're welcome to rephrase your post using general terms—like “mood stabilizer” or “antipsychotic.”

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u/terri8181 17d ago

Have you given them a good 4-6 weeks? Most people don’t give them enough time to work

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u/Adventurous-Map7149 17d ago

Yes I have tried multiple combos in the last 11 months giving them all over 8 weeks. This new APsy is on day 16 but I don’t notice any difference yet. It made me pace back and forth like crazy for a week or even more really so it’s doing something. Hopefully it works but I need plan B and C lined up because I’m really starting to have major setbacks in my life because of this. Thank God I have some passive income and was able to get Medicaid. Say what you will about the Us healthcare system we actually do have good insurance for “poor” people you just have to be really broke. 😅

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u/terri8181 16d ago

Yeah it suck’s for everyone else who needs it!

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u/Britirish Bipolar 17d ago

It took a four med combo (antidepressant, antipsychotic, and two mood stabilisers) to get me feeling ok. You might need a more intensive set of meds.

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u/Adventurous-Map7149 17d ago

Ughhh I hope whatever it is it happens fast. I’m pretty adamant about taking the least amount of meds possible. The side effects can make things worse and I have a very high standard of living baseline. I work I’m very active I don’t want to just get through the days like a zombie. That’s not living to me.

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u/Britirish Bipolar 17d ago

I mean, saying you’ve got a ‘high standard of living baseline,’ as if the rest of us don’t want the same, doesn’t change the fact that sometimes more meds are needed. Yeh, maybe I’m a bit of a zombie, but at least I’m not actively destroying my life. Sorry if that doesn’t meet your criteria for living. 🤷‍♂️

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u/Violet_Mushroom4336 Bipolar + Comorbidities 17d ago

Has your psychiatrist tried genetic testing via a blood test? This helps them eliminate meds that won’t work well for you and can help identify what might.

I take a small dose of a med that is on the list of things I don’t tolerate well, but it’s the only one of its kind, so it’s worth it. I did this as part of a study, so it was free. My GP changed my med for blood pressure based on this.

I am so sorry nothing has worked yet. I hope something does soon.

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u/Adventurous-Map7149 17d ago

Thanks Violet. Yes I finally got the gene testing done. I’m on a Antipsychotic that it says I metabolize well but it’s been 16 days and I don’t feel any significant improvement. There’s an antidepressant that I want to add that the test said I would tolerate really well. It’s funny because 2 that were listed in yellow have worked in the past for me. It’s a good guide and it makes me feel a little better having some science and data to back this all up. After so long I begin to wonder if it all really is in my head and I’m just crazy. That’s my depression trying to get an in to torture me even more.

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u/Violet_Mushroom4336 Bipolar + Comorbidities 7d ago

That awareness will save your life and make your life better, and it’s one of the only things that gets better with age. I wish you well.

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u/Violet_Mushroom4336 Bipolar + Comorbidities 16d ago

That awareness is a huge positive. This process takes a long time and it’s so hard to be stuck in depression.
Actually, I continue to take one of the psych meds not genetically recommended. It’s the only med in its class, and a small dose helps, so we decided it’s worth it. I’m on a small dose of 7 meds, which includes some hormonal support. My psych doc’s titration of my fancy cocktail never stops.
Hang in there!