I found that I needed a pdoc not just a family doctor cos all the different meds and their side effects and interactions are just to confusing. Hope you can find a good pdoc.

As for is BP real - I think its all part of the disease to doubt it. I wrote a thread on it a few months ago and hamster wrote a different thread more recently... I can't speak for her, but for me even though at the time my doubts were real I have had confirmation from a friend who knew me during my crazy times to say it really is real!!!

As for the lamactil, it takes a long time to titrate up to the correct dose because you should be increasing slowly to reduce the risk of a potentially life-threatening rash appearing. so you will have to hold out for a while before you get relief from the lamactil - though some people get good effects at 100mg most need to go to at least 200mg.

Keep a mood chart while you are changing meds so that you can assess how they are going and a journal can be helpful when your moods are all over the place cos writing it down can help you figure out what is behind the mood swings. Do you see a Therapist? That's also a good way to identify triggers and develop coping strategies.

Best wishes for your BP journey....