EVERYTHING DJ SAID!!

DJ gave a wonderful summary of the various meds for bipolar. I am also bipolar and initially started with Prozac which worked for awhile but then just lost its efficacy so I was switched to Zoloft (anti-depressant) and Depakote (anti-convulsent med being used for the bipolar mood swings)

I was on just those two for a long time (15 years) and would have maybe a week or two of a minor depressive episode and would basically just stay in bed most of the time and it would just go away anywhere from several days to a week.

However, this time I got hit by a doozy of an episode. My current meds lineup is now: 2 Zoloft; 2 Depakote; 2 Wellbutrin (anti-depressant); Lamictal (similar to Depakote for the mood swings) PLUS Ativan (Anxiety med) and have tried the following sleeping pills - Restoril, Ambien, Seroquel, and just today was given a sample of Lunesta because it is not in the benzo group of meds, which can create addictive dependency on it. When I get in really low places, I just want to sleep. I either use Restoril or Ambien and it puts me to sleep quickly then about 7 hours later my eyes just pop open and I'm not sleepy and feel refreshed. BUT...I don't want to face....anything...so I pop another sleeping pill and just return to bed....then take another at bedtime. Can we say "Abusing the medications?" When that happens, I start feeling like I "need" them

I just had an appt. with my psych today. I have felt over-medicated for the last 2 months. I told him that again today and asked if he could bring me down on at least one of the meds. He said that if I were this way 10 years ago, I would be spending a minimum of 1 month in a psych hospital, but now he said most psychs try medication route first.

Hmmm...have I drifted offcourse? Anyway my main point was to answer your questions about meds. DJ introduced you to different types of meds, and I thought it might be helpful to see what someone is currently taking to get an idea. However, my psych says his goal is to get me to a stable place, then start weaning me off the Zoloft and Depakote and keep me on Wellbutrin and Lamictal! Can't wait for that day!!

Come back and talk to us anytime - this is a GREAT support site and everyone here understands the types of issues you are dealing!

Hope to see you again