I'm Dx'ed Bipolar I, and I've recently obtained some Adipex (Phentermine, a diet drug) and have been taking it for the past two days.

Now, I KNOW it is not wise to take things your Pdoc does not know about, but I was so desperate I was willing to try anything.

I've been Dx'ed with ADD, yet my Pdoc will not prescribe me a stimulant medication to treat it, hence why I dropped out of school last semester and am out this semester, because NOTHING is being done to treat it! I'm a Psychology Major/English minor with NINE hours until graduation, but I just can't do school with my constant depression and lack of motivation or concentration.

But, ever since I've been taking the Adipex, I feel ALIVE. Not 'high,' or manic, just like I can function again. I plan on telling my Pdoc this, in hopes that he will realize how much a stimulant would benefit me. I've taken Ritalin from a friend of mine before and I was able to function that time too. No high, I just sat and did homework and could FOCUS. I don't know how my Pdoc will take the news that I am taking Rx's that I'm not supposed to, especially because I am Bipolar and my moods are very fragile.

Right now I'm on the following medications:
Lamictal 300mg
Abilify 10mg
Wellbutrin XL 150mg
Effexor 150mg
Topamax 100mg
Valium 20mg
Restoril 45mg

Anyways, I guess what I'm getting at is whether any of you have benefited from a stimulant medication? I've tried Provigil and Straterra in the past, but neither helped.

I am so near the end of my rope I'm desperate. It's either live or die. My doc is suggesting ECT or VNS, neither or which I want to undergo. I'm at my wits end.

Any help would be much appreciated.