By the time I was put on the combo of Depakote ER (over 1,000 mg) and Invega (forget dose) I had dealt with what seemed years of hypomanic and full-blown manic episodes (often turning mixed and psychotic). That combination was the first to totally stop it all, like a runaway train hitting a brick wall. Unfortunately, with that I experienced one of the worst depressions of my life. I gained about 30 lbs in six months, developed high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and pre-diabetes. From Invega, I also developed hyperprolactinemia, a condition I had also had from Invega's cousin medication, Risperdal. A little later down the line, an MRI showed a pituitary microadenoma (tumor). The endocrinologist said there was no relation, yet research showed that Risperdal had caused it in many people in the past. That was the final straw. After needing ECT to lift my depression, I demanded a medication overhaul. The IOP psychiatrist offered one.

After going off of the Depakote-Incega combo onto a more weight friendly mix (Lithium, Lamictal, and Geodon...and later also Thiothixine), I was able to diet and lost 40 lbs in six months. I also started experiencing a slowly developing mania, but I looked and felt like a million bucks, but nearly landed in the hospital a couple times, and had many other new and odd neuro-psych issues, necessitating the addition of Tegretol XR. Then my moods sort of fell again. The good news in that change, besides the weight loss, was normalization of my bloodwork, the fading away of hyperprolactinemia, and even the disappearance of the pituitary tumor. Of course Lithium side effects came back with a vengence and I eventually developed a nasty case of akathisia from Geodon.

An overhaul after the above, left me with most of my current cocktail. Honestly, I've been the most stable on this than in my adult life. Though Seroquel(s) have their metabolic effects, they are milder than others I've been on. Also, Seroquel does not cause me akathisia or other EPS, nor hyperprolactinemia or pituitary tumor. For that I am grateful! It's the best of all of the medication evils, for me.