Bipolar Disorder/memory

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Expert: - 1/17/2009


Question
I am a 40 year old bi-polar male. I was diagnosed 2 years ago. I am unable to recall at least 95% of anything I read. No matter how hard I concentrate it is impossible. But when I look back at what I have read I can remember much of it. Then I turn the page and it is gone again. I have never been great at memorzing things but it has gotten worse since around the time of my diagnosis. I am also a recovering addict/alcoholic.

My meds are, Lamictal 200 Welbutrin 300XL or 150XL if I am racy, and 200mg of Seroquel for sleep. I appreciate any help you can give.

Brett



Thank you,
Brett

Brett

Answer
If you are taking your medications as they have been prescribed, you should probably discuss with your doctor whether or not the difficulty you are having with remembering things is related to the medications, or possibly a long-term effect caused by abusing drugs and alcohol.  When I was initially diagnosed, I was taking depakote and risperdal, with neurontin added after a very brief time.  It was a rough time for me; I started losing a fair amount of hair, developed a tendency to lean to the left (even when I was walking!), and began having word-finding difficulties and terrible shakiness of my hands whenever I tried to write anything.  After I changed to a different doctor from the one who gave me my initial diagnosis, my medications were also changed; it took a while, but after getting a doctor who actually listened to what I was telling them, I finally was able to find the best medication combination for treating my symptoms.  Of course I'm leaving out a big chunk of time, where I was doing the 'trial and error' part of taking different meds until the right ones were found.  It is your responsibility to take an active role in your treatment, which is the same for any ongoing health issue.  With the limited amount of time that a doctor has during an appointment with a patient, it is important to come prepared with what information they need to know about in order to more appropriately treat the person.  In addition, as an individual ages, they must continually do what they can to stay sharp mentally, and exercising on a regular basis also helps.  Hopefully you can talk to your doctor about what can be done in order to improve your memory skills and overall health.

Bipolar Disorder

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Jennifer

Expertise

I am available to answer questions of a general nature about bipolar disorder, provide online resources that address bipolar disorder in a more in-depth manner and sources to serve as a starting point for those looking for substantial information on the illness from a healthcare professional approach. I am not a doctor or a psychiatrist, my background is based in personal experience and extensive reading in my own process of understanding my diagnosis. I can also take questions that deal with the social issues surrounding bipolar disorder such as relationships; coping for family, friends, and the patient; marriage, choosing to start a family and related. Answers to questions of a legal nature will provide general information but anyone with a serious legal problem should consult an attorney licensed to practice in their jurisdiction.

Experience

I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder type II in 2000; as a SSI beneficiary, have experience and knowledge of the limitations and processes involved with the program; I understand the moods, the feelings, the worries, the doubts, and a lot more that there's not enough room to express - from the personal experiences of being bipolar. I have first-hand experience with the challenges of returning to college following hospitalizations and various combinations of medications that were tried before my doctor and I finally arrived at the most effective medication program for my treatment. My family and I have learned so much about each other in the process of dealing with the highs and lows that followed my diagnosis. I've had relationships with someone who also is bipolar and someone that is not - romantic relationships are no easier on either side! I feel that many of the ideas and beliefs that people have regarding bipolar disorder and those who have the condition promote the continuation of social stigmas associated with mental illness in general, and after learning from others with bipolar disorder, hope to guide others who may be trying to navigate the government health care system,& share information on other possible means of obtaining assistance with the cost of medications and/or mental health services and limited financial assistance programs for meeting basic living expenses for qualified individuals, dealing with problems from or with family & loved ones, co-occurring substance abuse problems, medications and side-effects (and when it feels like nothing will work, or why it's not helping the situation to ask whether or not a patient has taken their 'meds' when they seem hostile or moody to those around them).

Education/Credentials
I have a B.A. in Liberal Arts and will earn my J.D. upon completion of the Spring 2011 term after which I will be preparing to take the multi-state bar exam.

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