[Special-K]

Here's the deal, I've been on Prozac, Zoloft, Trazadone, Wellbutrin, Paxil, Kolonopin, Xanex, Trileptal, Lamictal, Lexapro, Adderall & currently Lithium. I might have forgotten some!
The mood stabilizers I tried was during my 20's, I partied a lot. I don't know I really gave them a chance to work because I was partying. But I didn't feel they were effective. I also didn't have any stability in my life to measure that on.
So for now my psych has me on Lithium only. I also have a high deductible insurance plan now so I can't afford 2 medications. I just can't. I have to pay for it 100%, I'm not going to meet my $1,500 deductible by the end of the year for everything to be paid thereafter.
I'm an insurance agent & I consult large companies on their benefit packages, I totally am in the know with my coverage. I know I can't afford 2 medications.
So I need to schedule an appointment because my Lithium ran out & I have to see her to get it refilled. I still have episodes on my Lithium. I'm hypomanic, I wonder if another drug would help me better?
Or if I should just remain on only Lithium? Now I'm starting to feel like do I even have a point.

If any of you are hypomanic, what Rx cocktail is working for you?

[blueoctober]

Originally Posted by Special-K

So I need to schedule an appointment because my Lithium ran out & I have to see her to get it refilled. I still have episodes on my Lithium. I'm hypomanic, I wonder if another drug would help me better?
Or if I should just remain on only Lithium? Now I'm starting to feel like do I even have a point.

Special K have you had blood work recently to ensure that the lithium levels are in the therapeutic range? Meds are 60% of the equation for me, but there are other things I need to do to manage the bp effectively like eating well, exercising, keeping a schedule, sleep regularly, therapy etc.

I was on lithium, but I have BP II and have never experienced mania, so I found it kept me too down (I was on 2 anti-d's when I was on lithium and I still fluctuated between mild and major depression). I am now on lamictal and wellbutrn and that works well for me, but again I suffer more from depression.

There are definitely many options of med combos. Lithium is very inexpensive and tends to work better for controlling the highs, but everyone responds differently to meds. You may want to meet with a psychopharmacologist (this is a psychiatrist that specializes in psychopharmacolgy). You will likely need a referral. I haven't met with one privately, but when I was hospitalized we had a group lead by one that would discuss our concerns with side effects, best med combos etc. It may be worth a try.

[vjdragonfly]

That is a long list of meds you have tried in the past Special-K. How long have you been on the lithium? I know it takes time for meds to get in your system and fully function. Currently I'm taking Symbyax and Prozac. The Symbyax is working for my manic episodes, but I am still fighting with the depression. The Prozac is new so I'm trying to give it time to work. Can your Pdoc give you samples to help out? There are also some medicines they can subscribe that only cost 4 dollars at Wal*mart or Target. I hope you get your meds worked out.

[thinker22]

I realize Seroquel is marketed for bipolar depression these days, but for me it calmed me down to the point of sleeping all the time and feeling depressed about not being totally awake during the day. If you are still having hypomania with lithium, the doc may add one of the atypicals or a benzo to keep you calm. I don't recommend Seroquel, but some people swear by it. Ask your doc about other meds if your mood is concerning you. I believe SQ is a less expensive drug or it has a generic...I have to double check though, because I got it for free through a patient assist program. See if you qualify to get it for free on this site:

http://www.needymeds.org/

Each company has their own rules about giving out free or discounted meds, but it's usually just that your insurance won't pay for the drug or you have no insurance and your wages are too low to afford it. You just have to provide proof by wage stubs or a tax return.

[Special-K]

Originally Posted by blueoctober

Special K have you had blood work recently to ensure that the lithium levels are in the therapeutic range? Meds are 60% of the equation for me, but there are other things I need to do to manage the bp effectively like eating well, exercising, keeping a schedule, sleep regularly, therapy etc.

I was on lithium, but I have BP II and have never experienced mania, so I found it kept me too down (I was on 2 anti-d's when I was on lithium and I still fluctuated between mild and major depression). I am now on lamictal and wellbutrn and that works well for me, but again I suffer more from depression.

There are definitely many options of med combos. Lithium is very inexpensive and tends to work better for controlling the highs, but everyone responds differently to meds. You may want to meet with a psychopharmacologist (this is a psychiatrist that specializes in psychopharmacolgy). You will likely need a referral. I haven't met with one privately, but when I was hospitalized we had a group lead by one that would discuss our concerns with side effects, best med combos etc. It may be worth a try.

Yes I have had my blood work done but all my phsychiatrist said was looks good. I've never heard of a phychopharmacologist! Thank you for that recommendation I will look into it!
I do suffer from more highs than depression...so the lithium makes sense. It is inexpensive which is why I'm on it. Thanks again!

[Special-K]

Thinker thank you! I will look into that link you provided. I typically don't qualify for assistance, I make too much. That doesn't mean I have any left though!
Bipolars are not exactly fantastic money savers!

[shichi]

Don't know your current lithium dosage or your levels, but if you can, you might want to raise it.

I've taken sodium valporate, which is good for squashing mania. It's not good for the depressive side though, so it depends on which end of the spectrum you visit more and what has greater impact. Usually you can augment sodium valporate with an AD if things start getting rough. Also I don't know the price of it in America - I believe that, state-side, it's sold under the brandname depakote [or depacone, which IIRC is the liquid version].

[Special-K]

Originally Posted by shichi

Don't know your current lithium dosage or your levels, but if you can, you might want to raise it.

I've taken sodium valporate, which is good for squashing mania. It's not good for the depressive side though, so it depends on which end of the spectrum you visit more and what has greater impact. Usually you can augment sodium valporate with an AD if things start getting rough. Also I don't know the price of it in America - I believe that, state-side, it's sold under the brandname depakote [or depacone, which IIRC is the liquid version].

I've been on it since 11/09 & I take 1,200 a day. I tried 1,500 a day & it was making me sick. So my PDoc said 1,200 would do.
Ohhh I've heard of depakote...ok thank you. I have an appointment next Wednesday & I'm taking notes here of things to discuss. Thx!

[Rollercoaster Ride]

So I need to schedule an appointment because my Lithium ran out & I have to see her to get it refilled. I still have episodes on my Lithium. I'm hypomanic, I wonder if another drug would help me better?
Or if I should just remain on only Lithium? Now I'm starting to feel like do I even have a point.

If any of you are hypomanic, what Rx cocktail is working for you?[/quote]

What is working for me? I take 3 mood stabllizers right now. I have used others in the past but they were changed. They stopped working. But I have always had lithium on board. Right now it is only 300mgs but without it I immeadiately notice the change.
Blue October is right, you have to have lithium level taken often. If they are fluctuating it isn't stabalizing you you need dosage adjusted.
I do not understand your cost issue with Lithium. It is cheap. A lot cheaper than the other drugs you listed.

Can you appeal to your ins. co. about necessity of another drug in your treatment?

[blueoctober]

Originally Posted by Rollercoaster Ride

I take 3 mood stabllizers right now. I have used others in the past but they were changed. They stopped working. But I have always had lithium on board. Right now it is only 300mgs but without it I immeadiately notice the change.

300 mgs seems like a really low dose to me. When I was on Lithium I was on 900 mgs and the average dose is 900-1200 mgs/day. I'm not sure what other mood stabilizers you are on, but perhaps you should speak to your p-doc and ask what he or she thinks of increasing your lithium dose, so you can be on one mood stabilizer. It's worth looking into.

[MadyJohannah]

Special K: When I was diagnosed four or so years ago, I was working at a place that had several different insurance plans, and I took the one that was cheapest. When I finally went to see a dr., she decided to start me off on prozac, and from there, I went through about 9 different meds...mostly because, well, one would work for me, but I didn't have prescription coverage with my insurance plan, so she would start me on something else, usually samples, and then when I would go to get the rx filled, it was just too expensive. Instead of putting me on something I could afford that worked just as well. I ended with welbutrin xl, and I quit taking that a little over 2 years ago. I just recently went to another dr and she started me on celexa 20mg. So far, it is working with my depression, but I am still working on throttling down my "episodes" to a comfortable level. The best thing about this med is that is very inexpensive.
I was never put on lithium. However, my ex-bf was on lithium and wellbutrin both and his mania was out of this world. He went to his dr. regularly, and he said it helped, but I didn't see that it did. His sister was also on lithium. She didn't do too well--I don't think she ever got her blood tested, though.
I hope you get everything worked out. It sux about the insurance b/c that is a very big deal when it comes to treatment. I hope you can find something that works for you.