[Moose72]

Am I really stuck on this med forever?

My current pdoc won't let me quit but maybe my new one will.

[~Christina]

I would think you could try other options... I have tried many and refused many.

[Moose72]

She thinks we've tried them all. I dunno. I'm just tired of getting fatter and fatter.

[~Christina]

I tried Lithium couple years ago.. wasn't helping so went off to try other drugs only to circle back and now lithium is working...

[Moose72]

I'm on lithium and topomax and Zyprexa. Guess I'm really messed up.

[~Christina]

I doubt your really messed up .. Everyones body reacts differently to every med or even foods.

I personally think that sometimes people just get more and more meds piled up one atop another that who knows what is working and what isn't.

[venusss]

Moose, I Know you say "I am mess even on meds...", but maybe meds are part of the problem. From what I understand, they usually block something or help production of something... (I don't care for names of the happy and crazy hormons). But body reacts either by producing more and more (if you take a "blocker") or produce less (if the med is to increase the levels).

I don't know... maybe try to reduce the meds a bit, try to sort your life as much as you can, eat better (or simply watch what foods make you feel bad and avoid them), find some project to focus on... maybe start a non-bipolar blog about arts or something to take your mind of the crap (I didn't realize how listening to music was helping until I stopped for some time. Putting on psytrance and dancing like a fool helps a lot... beats kill thoughts). Try the alternative treatments. Get a customized mixture of Bach Essences (I find these very helpful).

Just something. Read around alternative MH blogs, or just "look for good omens". How long you went by the medical model? ANd what makes you feel think it will start working any time soon for you? You need something else, or something more.

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by Moose72

She thinks we've tried them all. I dunno. I'm just tired of getting fatter and fatter.

I understand how you feel. I've been dealing with the same thing. I recently stopped taking Risperdal. I take Lithium and I've read reviews of ppl that gained and didn't gain weight. I've been on Lamictal for a few weeks so I'll give it time to work. But I already told my pdoc I want to stop Lithium. I think your pdoc should understand you guys are a TEAM. Their services are not a dictatorship. It's one thing to advise a patient against something w/ a valid medical reason. But getting fatter and fatter causes medical problems.

Stay strong