There was a point when I was on 3 moodstabilizers, 3 antipsychotics and a benzo, plus a prn benzo. It was too much. Part of the reason I was on so many, especially the antipsychotics was because I was transitioning off one while another was increased. Also, the third (the original) was at full dose and not able to ward off my mania well enough.

A medication showed itself as clearly too much when after side effects required it, I went off of it and it was realized that it was clearly not doing anything anyway. Lithium was one of those meds for me. I was slowly weaned off and my quality of life actually improved, while remaining stable. I did go off one of the three antipsychotics fairly quickly. Then a second antipsychotic caused terrible akathisia. I'll admit that going off that one was difficult with both withdrawals and mood instability, but by increasing the last remaining antipsychotic did the trick. So now I'm only on 2 moodstabilizers, 1 antipsychotic and a benzo, plus a prn benzo.

My cocktail is still a lot, but I'll admit I'm not sure which other med could be removed. Definitely NOT my Tegretol XR and Seroquel XR (I have good reasons why not). Maybe my small dose of Lamictal could be removed. Maybe. Frankly, I'm not really that sure how much that helps prevent my depression, but at one time it did make a difference in helping to end one. I've still become depressed on it, but it has been my Seroquel XR that has ended the depressions I've had since then. Would it have done so so well without the Lamictal in place?

The regular benzo I take (Klonopin) seems to be here to stay. Both my psychiatrist and neurologist warn me of dangerous withdrawal side effects if we try to get me off that. But honestly, I don't think it prevents anxiety. I've had plenty of anxiety on that dose. Instead, it's been my prn benzo (Ativan) that has saved the day. I had been taking Ativan daily of years, too, but I have almost gotten that back done to 0.