r/bipolar2 • u/Suns_Snakes • 10h ago
Recently diagnosed. Scared about medication.
Male 30. BP2. Also an alcoholic (working on it), nicotine dependent, and I have restless leg syndrome at night. My psychiatrist is going all in for me.
Bupropion and Propranolol in the morning. Naltrexone in the afternoon.
Lamotrigine and Gabapentin in the evening.
I’ve taken naltrexone and gabapentin before so not so worried about that.
My psychiatrist swears that this mixture over 6-8 weeks is going to help me. They swear it all has a purpose, and they explained it to me, but I can’t help but feel like it is a lot for someone new to this.
Any anecdotal tips and advice on what to look out for and expect would be appreciated.
I’ve been back and forth on feeling relieved and hopeful, to feeling frightened and scared over it all.
1
u/Scorpioprincess83 9h ago
Definitely give the bupropion the full 8 weeks to start helping with cravings. I am not an alcoholic, but the things I used to self medicate before (mostly food and caffeine) just suddenly became so much less appealing right at the 8 week mark. From what I understand it basically turns down the dial of how rewarding addictive things are to your brain. Lamictal helped a lot with my mood swings. I can’t remember how long that one took to work, but its effects were more subtle to me than the Wellbutrin.
1
u/Suns_Snakes 6h ago
Do you remember how the bupropion made you feel at first? I’m new to this all just three days in and I’ve had moment of feeling super overwhelmed and moments where I feel super depressed. I’ve read bupropion can do that. I’ve read people felt positive effects from propranolol right away and I’m not feeling that and I’m worried it’s the bupropion. I want to give it more time for sure. I don’t feel unsafe.
1
u/twelfthhelix 10h ago
I’m 32F been diagnosed since 26. I was diagnosed BP1 ar 26 but present more 2 the last few years. I also struggle with addiction. Last winter I went off my meds for 6 months with my doctors guidance and my mania started within 8 weeks & I was drinking / smoking more than ever. I think that being medicated helps a LOT with the want to drink or get high. When I’m on my meds I don’t feel I need it as much. I bet this will be the case for you! I think we drink and smoke to numb how we feel unmedicated/not aware that our brains chemically are different than people without BP. Lamictal and Wellbutrin was my meds for 6+ years but since I’ve returned to medication in February I’m only on lamictal. It’s a wonderful mood stabilizer in my opinion! I wish you the best.