Keegan - I understand the side effects from meds feel like they are worse than the disease. I have that same worry myself, although at the moment I would kill to feel anything BUT mania because it's not the good kind, it's the crawl out of my skin and run down the street screaming that the world is crazy kind of mania.

As a creative person one of my biggest fears is losing that edge because it has always helped me Deal with the lows. But it seems like a few peeps have been able to find a good combo to keep their creative edge, so I would suggest letting your pdoc know you need help because the side effects are making the mania seem like a better option than the side effects.

Just a suggestion. GL!