Hi ariatboot; your post is just as important as everyone's else. It is frustrating waiting to find the right med combo, but it's well worth the effort. I was diagnosed in 2007 and it wasn't until this year that I found a combo that worked for me. Part of the reason it took so long to find the right med combo is I was in crisis with my mental health/inpatient when I was first diagnosed. I just assumed I would always need to be on each med that had been prescribed during that time. About 2 years after my diagnosis I starting to question it and my Pdoc was willing to try new meds. The med combo I'm on now I have been on it since the end of May and I'm very happy with it.
For me managing the bipolar is 60% meds. The other 40% comes form the following:
- Exercising regularly (I go to the gym at least 4x a week)
- Eating healthy
- Taking supplements (Omega 3, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Multi Vitamin)
- Using a SAD lamp everyday
- Seeing a therapist
- Being open and honest with my Psychiatrist
- Tracking my mood I use this site: http://www.medhelp.org/land/mood-tracker
- Journal
- Educating myself on bipolar
- Taking my meds as prescribed
- I work shift work, so unfortunately my sleep/wake cycles can't be stable, but I do ensure I get at least 8 hours and if I'm having troubles sleeping I take a sleeping pill