Well, I had my meeting with my psychiatrist. She told me that it was still too early to decide which type of bipolar I had. She said that she's leaning Bipolar II. Anyway, she told me the variety of medicines that may help my situation. She started praising lithium. She said was the 'gold standard'. Now, I'll be honest, I'm very needle shy. I can tolerate getting blood drawn. But getting drawn every few weeks is kinda terrifying for me. I asked her about other alternatives to lithium. She brought up Lamictal and then she said Topamax. She also listed a few others.

I am a tad overweight. She said that Lamictal may add on more pounds. She then said it might be better to start out on Topamax. Then, if I have a depression breakthrough or mania, we'll change. I've been doing some research online this evening. From what I can tell, Topamax is NOT effective for bipolar mood stabilization, but it will help aid weight loss. But I also saw other websites praising its effects on bipolar. I am confused. Will it help?

I also was thinking...would she put me on it to see if I'll lose some weight, then put me on Lamictal or another med once I've lost some weight? Maybe the weight loss/gain would even out?

Or...am I on a lifetime journey to find my bipolar cocktail?