‘If a person isn’t treated, episodes of bipolar-related mania can last for between three and six months. Episodes of depression tend to last longer, for between six and 12 months. However, with effective treatment, episodes usually improve within about three months’.

Just read the above and thought, ok I really need to see a way out of this……if that is true I would say Molly is 7 months into her Bipola depression, her treatment started with Venlafaxine which unfortunately she didn’t respond to and we are now trialing Lamotrigine which started 17th October 2023. Lamotrigine takes up to six weeks to help and that is if, it is going to work.

So should we see an improvement mid December? Also the first statement said ‘with effective treatment Molly could improve within 3 months so we would be then talking start of 2024.

I needed to write that out in order to process the filing system in my brain, it feels scrambled right now – I am on the edge.

I have listened to so many podcasts about everything, Bipola, depression, anxiety, autism, catatonia anything to learn and know more. I am becoming obsessed, not able to function normally, on the surface I can appear resilient, able to manage but I am struggling to see a way out or I may be losing hope.

I am sorry this all sounds so depressing and negative and the thought of Christmas fills me with dread. This could however all change – I would love a Christmas Miracle.

Seeing this has helped me have a realistic timeline it feels clearer.

I saw Molly today and in truth I feel worse.

There are no signs to see that the medication is anyway near the therapeutic stage or helping her (just my opinion/observation).

RADS recommendations – revisited tonight:

1. Titrate lorazepam – (Done)

2. Stop venlafaxine – (Done)

3. Serum iron levels to be taken

4. Augment quetiapine with lamotrigine (currently happening)

5. Consider reduction of quetiapine

6. If incomplete result consider augmentation with aripiorizole

7. If incomplete response cross taper quetiapine to lurasidone with aripiprizole for anti-manic cover

Lastly the report states that should there be an incomplete response to lorazepam and further mood stabilisation in the coming 1-2 months then ECT should be considered.

My poor girl.

Let the battle continue!

Luv C x