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Mental Health Matters

 

  Q. I have been diagnosed as bipolar II since my last hospital visit. I have been placed on Neurontin, Serzone, and Wellbutrin. After 8 weeks of taking this medication I feel worse than before I was admitted to the hospital. I have since lost my job because my wittiness and quickness has left. I cry more now than before and feel this is the longest manic stage I have been through in such a long time. They have reduced the Serzone to 100 mg at bed and the Neurontin to 300 mg T.I.D. the Wellbutrin has remained 150 mg once daily.

What can I do? I loved my job and they did not have the time to wait for me to adjust to any medication. Is there some other medication I could try? Is there a short term disability program I could receive until the doctors find the right medication. I am 32 year old mother of 3. My husband is doing all he can but doesn't understand what I am feeling.

  A. I do not know what to tell you. I do not know anything about your case, the state you live in (disability laws vary) or why the doctors have chosen to treat you the way they are. Discuss the disability with your social worker from the hospital or current therapist. Discuss your feeling poorly with your psychiatrist as soon as you can. Keep the faith. Things usually work out well. Hopefully, you will recover quickly. Work with everyone as a team, and you will get better results.