anika, it took a while for the pdoc to find the right combo. keep in mind we all respond differently to meds. it may work for you but not for me. what really helped was being in CBT therapy when i started out and as i got better. having better tools to cope helped me a lot to assist what part the meds helped me.

so my med list is
a good "chemist"-pdoc who was on the right track to find the best meds.
a good therapist and ongoing therapy

also some ppl they say are med resistant.
have you seen this pdoc since the beginning? if so i'd consider seeking a second opinion and what meds the new pdoc thinks may get you balanced. for me balanced means only ripples of the highs and lows, a calmness, more serenity, more mental energy rather than fighting to stay "sane", no out of control shopping, etc.
hope this helps.