Told i suffer Bipolar depression & anxiety

19/9/14  two years ago i was finally told that i have bipolar depression whixch affects me every day now 2 yrs, yes i have fely suicidal but never acvted on it, the medication i was prescribed made me feel weird and so for one yr not on anything except clonazepam for anziety, now my GP would like to try Duloxetine as long as it doesnt interact with my HIV medications, I cant wait to start it as i am desperate to feel better, 

I add my chronic depression is caused by beihng HIV positive and the side efects of the many hiv medications i take to remain healthy, what do people think or suggest, I still have to find out if it is safe to take Duloxetine, which has been left for me to do , I hope i hear from many people.The bipolar depression causes my mood to dip many times everyday but it never makes me manic as in Bipolar condition , if yiou imagine a Horizontal line and my moods dip down the line but never above this line, as it is bipolar depression,  and not being bipolar.

a separate condition , I had never heard of suffering bipolar depression. anyway i hope some people read my comments

thank you

Callum in edinburgh 

ps happy we voted NO today and won

Hi Callum,

Hope you're okay today and congrutulations on the Scottish vote! I'm sorry to hear you've been ill for such a long time and I hope you get everything sorted soon although it'll probably be a long road.

Regards your question about duloxetine, which anti-HIV drugs are you taking? Duloxetine can interact with some HiV drugs like protease inhibitors (ritonavir, etc). That's not to say you shouldn't use it - just needs a little more monitoring.

Do let me know which drugs you're taking - I'd be happy to help if I can.

Good luck with everything!

Luke

Hi callum,  do you know whether the medication is helping your mood?  If not then maybe a review is in order by the Drs.  I don't know if they have to be aware of Hiv when prescribing and are not prescribing sufficient medication for your bipolar. Maybe you could look into that? 

Richard

Hi C!

im sorry to hear you aren't feeling well , and hoping you get the right medication soon.

what I'm wondering is why you were diagnosed as bi polar, when you don't have any manic episodes? You might want to ask about that , although it's only a term so it won't affect who you are but may affect what medication the doctor may give you.

im completely unaware of which drugs interact with the ones you are taking but I did want to comment and just cheer you on in your quest to feel healthy and happy!