Hello, Speed. I'm feeling so proud for you for your strength and ability to have been able to do so much since Jason's death in a positive way to help families whose children have been caught in the heroin death trap.

Speed, I had trouble with Lamictal, Lithium, (no problems with Depakote but began to lose my hair--a side effect.) I kept dropping the level of Lamictal until I was at 15 mg and that still prompted hypomanic attacks.

Since that experience I investigated the use of a new food med called Deplin. It is a concentrated form of folate (metabolized from folic acid, Vitamin B 9) which is able to crosss the blood-brain barrier in people who have inherited an inability to metabolize folic acid into folate which is used in brain functions. The only way to
discover that one is missing the enzymes is through genetic testing, but my psyciatrist felt that if it improved feeling tone in three weeks there was no need for genetic testing.

So I began taking 7.5 mg of Deplin once daily. About 1 month ago, my psychiatrist increased it to 15 mg. per day and I haven't felt so content and calm in years. Apparently it is one that I can take and get no side effects whatsoever because it is actually a food medication.

In addition I added the Omega3 fatty acids which I take daily--about 2 grams per day: once in the morning and once at night. The combination of the two is unbeatable for relieving anxiety and being calm.

You might wish to ask your doctor if he thinks it might benefit you.

Along with other changes in diet, I've been able to almost eliminate all but 10 mg. of Prozac once daily. The changes were primarily : elimination of caffeine in any form, alcohol (but never did use that to any degree), reduction of wheat, and am working on eliminating sugar.

Combined, they all work as a powerful strengthening of the kidneys, digestive system and brain function.

I'm so glad you're going in for grief counseling. That will speed up the process for you and give you really good insight into how you will be able to live and work to help others through what you have admirably survived.

Take care.