Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 1/29/2007

Question
My wife has been diagnosed as bipolar although she still hasn't bought into the whole thing but recently she was prescribed seroquel.  She started with 50mg and then 100mg then 125mg.  As of the past few weeks she has been becoming maore and more irritable and can't seem to figure out why she is so mad inside.  Even has complained of feelings of road rage. No actions though!  Are these feeling normal.  She also has trouble thinking and concentrating.  As she is a teacher, and a very good one I might add, this stuff just seems to making things worse.  Any suggestions.  She tried Zyprexa and as with seroquel she was just exausted with it only there were no angry feelings.  Thans for any suggestions.

Answer
Hi Tim:  

Thank you for writing.  Often with bipolar disorder, a person needs two medications combined.  With Seroquel, the mania part of bipolar disorder is taken care of--the problem is, one medication alone often causes the person to go completely to the other end of the mood spectrum.  It sounds like the Seroqul may be causing your wife to fall into depression.  Depression often shows as anger.

I would suggest you discuss with the doctor of adding something for depression.  Recently, studies are finding that Lamictal, which works well on bipolar depression, is a perfect combination with Seroquel.  They balance each other perfectly.  Ask if the doctor things adding lamictal might be beneficial.

Your wife's reaction is perfectly normal for someone who is having part of the disorder treated but not both ends of it.

                          Joyce A. Anthony