[lostmyway21]

Im rapid cycling.

Up down up down up down. Multiple times a week, sometimes daily.

I'm in therapy 2x week. I'm on lexapro, topamax.

Today I caught a high for the first time in a while, and went on a spending spree. Then felt myself rapidly falling and took pain meds to compensate. Bad call, but it worked.

I'm fairly newly dx'd. Does this get easier? Tips? Advice? Hugs? Anything...please I'm so lost and confused.

[Nixi]

Massive hugs hun I can't offer too much advice I'm afraid coz I'm all over the place too. All I can say is if ur newly dx then hopefully u'll sort ur meds to help - it may be trial and error but hopefully it'll be worth it! Are u getting 1:1 therapy as well?

I'm sure u'll feel lots of help here too, keep us posted! Loads of hugs
xxxx

[bipolarmedstudent]

I would suggest going on a real mood stabilizer, like lithium, valproate, or an atypical antipsychotic.

Why on Earth are you on lexapro and topamax? The lexapro could be the source of your rapid cycling. And the topamax has not been shown to be an effective mood stabilizer. You need to be on a good anti-manic agent.

You need to be on some better meds. Talk to your pdoc asap.

[lostmyway21]

Originally Posted by bipolarmedstudent

I would suggest going on a real mood stabilizer, like lithium, valproate, or an atypical antipsychotic.

Why on Earth are you on lexapro and topamax? The lexapro could be the source of your rapid cycling. And the topamax has not been shown to be an effective mood stabilizer. You need to be on a good anti-manic agent.

You need to be on some better meds. Talk to your pdoc asap.

It was effective until a few days ago. I also have severe PTSD. The lexapro has been the only effective med for nightmares/flashback and trigger relief.

Yes I get 1:1 therapy twice a week.

[bipolarmedstudent]

Originally Posted by lostmyway21

It was effective until a few days ago. I also have severe PTSD. The lexapro has been the only effective med for nightmares/flashback and trigger relief.

Yes I get 1:1 therapy twice a week.

Well, I would still add a serious mood stabilizer to your cocktail, especially if you are going to be on an antidepressant. Divalproex (depakote) is better than lithium for rapid-cycling and mixed states. I'd go on that if I were you.

[Melancolic]

Sorry to hear, it is exhausting.
I go through a state of rapid cycling 4 times each year as the seasons change, fluxuations in mood only last 1week-2week in duration.
I take sodium valproate aswell as cymbalta but my dose was only rasied from 30mg to 60mg on thursday with great reluctance that it could start me cycling or induce mania.
How do you go taking a stimulant like dexamphetamine? I have to avoid caffine

[bipolarmedstudent]

Originally Posted by erraticpendulum

Sorry to hear, it is exhausting.
I go through a state of rapid cycling 4 times each year as the seasons change, fluxuations in mood only last 1week-2week in duration.
I take sodium valproate aswell as cymbalta but my dose was only rasied from 30mg to 60mg on thursday with great reluctance that it could start me cycling or induce mania.
How do you go taking a stimulant like dexamphetamine? I have to avoid caffine

well the dex could be contributing to my cycles, it's possible. But my ADHD is so bad I have to be on it.

The divalproex and the abilify I'm on help counter-balance it. My new p-doc wants to take me off the cymbalta (he thinks it is making me cycle more rapidly) and he wants to up my abilify significantly.

[Melancolic]

Originally Posted by bipolarmedstudent

well the dex could be contributing to my cycles, it's possible. But my ADHD is so bad I have to be on it.

The divalproex and the abilify I'm on help counter-balance it. My new p-doc wants to take me off the cymbalta (he thinks it is making me cycle more rapidly) and he wants to up my abilify significantly.

I am quessing this will leave you to drop into depression with only another anti depressant to add to the not effective list.
Did you find cymbalta was therapeutic at 30mg?
Can you remember if you started cycling around introduction or increase of cymbalta?

[bipolarmedstudent]

Originally Posted by erraticpendulum

I am quessing this will leave you to drop into depression with only another anti depressant to add to the not effective list.
Did you find cymbalta was therapeutic at 30mg?
Can you remember if you started cycling around introduction or increase of cymbalta?

I had a baaaad mixed episode before starting the cymbalta. After starting the cymbalta, I had one manic episode after another. But when I dropped the dose to 30 mg, I got depressed and anxious.

However, now that I'm on Valproate, I think I'll be okay to go off the Cymbalta. The valproate is doing wonders for my anxiety, and my depression seems to be mainly anxiety driven.

[hamster-bamster]

I am on a combination of lithium and valproate. They produce a potent synergy, with the resultant help against rapid cycling being higher than would have been from each one agent alone. I have been on just lithium and just valproate in the past and can vouch for the effectiveness of their combination, in comparison.

[lostmyway21]

My pdoc just put me on Saphris but kept me in the Topamax (100mg) and Lexapro (10mg). Anyone been on this combination before?