Antipsychotics and mood stabilizers

I'm on Lamictal and Seroquel. I like both of them but I think my psych is going to pull me off them. I've developed fatty liver and both can cause it. I don't want the disease to progress any further than it has so I need to take preventive measures.

What antipsychotics and mood stablilizers have worked for you guys? My main concerns are a relapse while switching meds (which, if it happens, it happens) and weight gain. Losing weight is something they told me I must do. My psych isn't happy with the number of mixed states I'm having and the fact I'm having hallucinations despite being on Seroquel. She mentioned Thorazine and that absolutely is not going to be happening. I'm curious about Geodon. I'm just not sure what other meds are out there in both categories.

Lamictal and Seroquel "worked" for me but, their standards are crap.

Yeah, weight gain can be really bad with mood stabilizers for bipolar. I was on Risperdal for two months and gained ~30 pounds. I'm now off it and 20 pounds down... I take Lithium and Saphris (and cogentin to prevent side effects). I don't think that they make me hungrier. Also, if you lose weight, your meds will work MUCH better. Sound mind, sound body is very true. I noticed that whenever I've been fat (I'm a former elite athlete), I get depressive episodes. My staying fit, I've prevented depressive episodes. When I'm fit though, I can get a little manic as I think I'm better than everyone else though, lol.. Also, you can't EVER drink on anti psychotics and mood stabilizers without the high possibility of a depressive episode. I think sugary and fatty food can have a similar negative effect. Also, anti-depressants can cause bipolar episodes when starting and changing dosages.

Point is, Saphris (a relatively newer drug) has worked great for me since December. I don't think lithium does much of anything for me, but I take it anyway. Remember, meds work differently for everyone and that trying different meds may be important to find the right ones. Talk to your doctor, don't get so bipolar that your meds are changed in a mental hospital!! Focus on things in your life you can change; drinking, eating, exercising, sleeping, etc. See how that helps. Finally, changing meds CAN be very dangerous.

I'm pretty lucky I'm on lithium risperdal and lamictal with good results. Lithium has been something I was against but as a mood stabilizer has been fantastic. Good luck.

I've never been fat or even a little chubby so maybe I don't know but, somehow I seriously doubt being fat makes for a mood as serious as depression.

My triglycerides are very high from Zyprexa but if I'm off the drug bad things happen. Why should we have to choose?

I have used Lamictal for about a day. What I am currently using is depakote (although we are moving this down due to the fact it is, for lack of a better word, dumbing me down). I am using Seroquel as well, but we are also going to move away from that slowly due to the fact I have not had HIs in a year and a half or so. When this first started happening I took Risperidone. This worked, but I gained a massive amount of weight in 3 months, many more pounds than I did with Seroquel. Good luck to you.

Abilify works great for me, but it is expensive and no generic until 2015.

Good Luck!

There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt.

Erma Bombeck

What are HI's? Also, Risperidone (generic for risperdal) IS a bad drug. When I was on it for 2 months I gained 30 pounds. I'm back on other drugs that are weight neutral for me. Almost back to my normal weight for me.. Slowly getting back on track. In all ways..