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Q: Bipolar Disorder and Exercise
Dr. Phelps:
I would like to see more info re: exercise and bp. I exercised a lot;
running, walking, bicycling, tennis, skiing etc. since young. BP I since
'65;lithium '80-current. One manic episode '91/off lithium; resumed lithium
and again mostly symptom-free.
Teacher '67-current; exercising continues at 56; no weight issue. CALMS AND
LIFTS MY MOOD. I feel the exercise kept me out of the hospital and
also, have had very BP symptoms. I could not be still; I would think
that the BP symptoms might drive them to "move more "! In
the hospital, they would not give me an anti-depressant; I walked as much as
I could daily; eventually the depression ceased. Do you think BP
people are able to exercise or are they on too many meds?
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Dear Elizabeth --
You're right, one doesn't hear about great responses to our basic
medications much. Perhaps it's because that's not really
"news" -- I see it all the time in my practice. About 50% of
folks I see, even those with quite severe symptoms, get a great response to
lithium or Depakote or their low-dose combination. The other half
needs some of the newer medications, but even there we see pretty good
response rates, up around 75-80% nationally -- i.e. percentage of patients
who respond well eventually to some combination of things. Thanks for
your support.
Dr. Phelps
Published July, 2001
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