Homeopathics for bipolar??

[Moochie Mamma]

DH and I have finally accepted that DS has cyclothymia as the doc thinks. We cannot get in with the child psychiatrist for a couple weeks (we still want a second opintion before starting meds). Our naturopath thinks he may be able to help by using homeopathics. Has anyone tried this? DS cycles very rapidly (within a day) but is 80% depressed with only short windows of hypomania. I figure homeopathy can't hurt, especially since it will be a couple weeks before we will be starting meds. WE already have him on Omega 3's and vit D.

[Heavenly]

Sure you can try it, as long as the ultimate goal is meds. This is my opinion. I am of the strong belief that not medicating bipolar disorder is an incredibly bad idea. We tried everything with my son, including diet changes, Omega-3 and anything else you can think of. Didn't do a thing. It wasn't until he was on lithium and risperdal that I got my wonderful little boy back. They only get ONE childhood. Please read the book Intense Minds - I wish every parent of a bipolar child would read it. It gives insight into how it feels to be a child with bipolar. Do your best to get your child stable as soon as possible so that they can live a normal life. Always remember it is not about us and what we feel, but about them and what is best. Good luck with everything.

[mrsfru]

I almost agree 100% w/Shawna...I was dx'd w/bipolar disorder when I was 19. I had symptoms from much younger, and by my early teens had developed severe depression. My first hypomanic episode came about as a result of starting on an older antidepressant. My disorder is fairly mild, as in these days I can be med free for years, BUT I am the exception, not the rule. My ob/gyn and FNP who haven't ever seen me have a hypomanic episode doubt that I even have bipolar disorder, but many things were treated before I switched to their care. BPD for me, is largely triggered by hormones...w/my endometriosis under control, the symptoms are mostly non-existent. In times of severe stress (pregnancy, childbirth, losing a family member, etc), they can and have returned, and I've needed meds. Mostly, I deal w/severe depression for months at a time, w/brief episodes of hypomania (used to be called bipolar type 2). For several years after my dx, I was on Lithium and Paxil. I d/c'd at per my doctor's orders, after a lot of behavior therapy, a day program, follow up/after care, adding supplements, and lifestyle changes. I've met many people in therapy who's bpd was the more severe form and they were likely to always need meds. I also attended many NAMI meetings and met others who were not as fortunate as myself. Meds may very well be necessary to help him. They definitely saved my life and were well worth the additional bloodwork and side effects (which for me, weren't bad). Lithium turned me around in days--I finally felt "normal". Alternative therapies or alternative medical care and supplements have often helped me to need less medication, but I always have to check those w/the doc who prescribes meds for me.

Best wishes w/a hard decision Mama! And good for you for considering all the info and looking at alternatives.

mrsfru

[Moochie Mamma]

Thank you for your support and info! We are going ahead with nutritional supplements, homeopathy as well as starting him on allopathic meds (doc thinks Lamictal would be the best start since DS is mostly in the depressed end of spectrum). We are hoping the alternative remedies can reduce the amt of meds needed. Do you have any experience with Lamictal?

[KatWrangler]

My husband takes Lamcital, Celexa and Invega. Hasn't had any problems with any of them.

Originally he was on Cymbalta when he was diagnosed as Depressed. However, that caused suicidal thoughts and he nearly took action before I intervened.

He is Bipolar II.