[JourneyUpward]

I can't believe it. My psych doc changed my meds this wednesday. Dropped Abilify and Lamictal. Keeping 300 mg Lithium, and adding Depakote. I also have Ativan 1 mg to take as needed for anxiety. He suggests I take ativan in the am til I see him again.

This morning when I woke up my feet hit the floor running. I drove all over town by myself just fearless. I could talk to people as though we knew each other. I had energy, I made a lovely dinner for hubby's birthday today At the end I was sapped of strength. But I did a lot, at least for me at this stage. If this is how it's going to stay, I'm thrilled. If the depakote, as the dosage increases, makes me flat, well...I don't know. I don't like flat. I also don't like depression.
Time will tell.

Does anyone else use Depakote, Lithium and ativan?

[Anneinside]

Why did he drop the Abilify and lamictal? How were you doing?

I take Abilify and lamictal, among other things, and I have found them to be very helpful with my depression and hypomania. Keep a close tab on yourself to make sure you aren't headed for depression or mania. I would suggest that you use a mood chart for awhile.

[JourneyUpward]

Originally Posted by Anneinside

Why did he drop the Abilify and lamictal? How were you doing?

I take Abilify and lamictal, among other things, and I have found them to be very helpful with my depression and hypomania. Keep a close tab on yourself to make sure you aren't headed for depression or mania. I would suggest that you use a mood chart for awhile.

Hi Anneinside,

I do a daily moodchart for my Pdoc. Although we have the manic side down to flat I'm still swinging around in the scales of depression. Occasionally, I'll finally reach the "normal" scale which is absolutely flat. There is no enjoyment, no desire to hold or play with my 2yr old & 4 yr old grandkids. No giving on my part. And no desire to take either. Normal on the depressed side might as well be very depressed except i'm vertical.

But my Pdoc knows me and has copies of all my mood charts.

Abilify has changed nothing since I first started it. Lamictal has caused me problems the higher the dose gets. 300 mgs isn't much for some people, but for me, I've developed headaches, tremors, body jerks, muddled thoughts, muddled speech, etc.

Thus, we've ended my relationship with abilify and Lamictal.

I'm now on 250 mg of depakote for 5 days. Monday I start 500mg for 7 days, the next Monday I'll go to 750 mg for 7 days. Finally I'll top out at 1000 mg if I can handle it.

I see him in 2 1/2 weeks to decide what he recommends to balance this drug. We need to fight depression. It can get quite bad. A few times on the brink of dangerous. I've been in the hospital once for treatment and observation. Not a nice place.

I want my life back. I don't feel human right now, just a knot of vascillating nerve endings that can't get a normal charge--the car just can't get moving but the starter turns over.

Yes, the Pdoc told my hubby that he needs to watch me==he doesn't really understand what Pdoc meant. I'll have to tell him. He's not going to be thrilled but he does look after my well being.

I am aware I could go manic or go crash looking for a way out. I realize I'm incredibly vulnerable right now. Most of the time I over the next 2 weeks I'll be with in laws who also have a loved one (near my age) with bipolar. My hubby will be there too (his family) and we'll be vacationing. I should be safe.

Thanks for caring. I appreciate your concern.