Hello all,

Please respond with concerns or problems you have had with drugs taken for Bipolar.

I've taken Abilify and had movement disorders and akathasia from it. I just couldn't keep still. It was really annoying and I didn't feel like it was doing anything for me.

I've taken Zyprexa and I gained a huge amount of weight while developing metabolic syndrome with high blood sugar. Also I was drowzy and sleepy while on it. Also I would have withdrawal problems coming off the medication. Mainly with psychotic symptoms developing outside of mania. Also my body would speed up about once every couple weeks and my metabolism would go haywire.

I've taken Invega which is my current medication. For awhile I was having issues with hard stools but that went away. Now I just get really lethargic and don't want to do anything. I lost my job partially because of it. It seems to sap my motivation. I just am not motivated to do much but rest half the day. Also I get headaches if I do try to get motivated. I've only been on 3 months.

With Invega and Zyprexa I have had mood stabilization and the psychosis has gone away for the most part.

I guess I feel bad that the motivation is taken away to want to achieve life goals. I don't know if that is negative portion of psychosis or if that is from the dampening of dopamine transmission from the drugs.

Anyway I just want to hear what other people have gone through on various medications.

I'm quite afraid to ever get off Invega as well. The withdraw seems very problematic in comparison to Zyprexa.

Anyway thoughts would be great to hear as well especially in reference to Atypical Antipsychotics.