I appreciate the effort, but I'm not really looking for medication suggestions. If I think I need a different medication (either in addition to or instead of), I trust my psychiatrist implicitly not leave out any possible option or suggestion. Over the years, I have tried more medications than I can even begin to list. I (and my psychiatrist) have a fairly good idea of what works for me, what doesn't work and what medications have side effects that I just can't tolerate. While the medications I use are not perfect, don't manage my illness completely (thus at least one of the reasons I probably go off of them so routinely...I feel like if they're not working why bother...but I forget they are helping significantly just not as much as I would like) the medications I take really are the best options available for me.

For mood stabilization, I've tried everything available for mood stabilization and they haven't been a good choice for one reason or another. Lithobid works best for me. I've taken different variations of lithium, and I've used generics but it seems that my levels don't stay consistent when I use them. So Lithobid is my go to drug.

I've tried every AD you can imagine. For a long time I could get a reasonable amount of success with Effexor XR, but over time it helped less and less and it is a real b**tch of a medicine to come off of...and since I'm bipolar and it isn't realistic to stay on an AD 100% of the time, coupled with it becoming less effective for me, we don't use that anymore. Currently, if I need an AD added into my meds, we use Nardil. It's older, it's an MAOI and that means a real commitment with regard to diet, it's not a perfect solution but helps more than any of the other long list of ADs I've tried over the years.

I absolutely avoid any AP if at all possible. I find even the smallest of doses sedating and it is nearly impossible for me to function. Again, I've tried every available option. When things really get desperate and there is no option but to go on an AP (because I'd rather be sedated out of my mind than deal with psychotic symptoms...that's just the ultimate in scary), I will only agree to it on a short-term basis and we use an extremely small dose of Risperdal.

I also wanted to mention, in regards to something you mentioned earlier in the thread...Earlier in the year, I actually went on a paleo diet for several months and while there are many great things about it, I can honestly say that I did not see any difference in my mood when eating paleo.