[sxprt]

This is the OP
http://forums.psychcentral.com/bipol...ml#post3287931

I am still taking 200mg of lamictal a day as prescribed.
So it's been 3 weeks, and I just don't feel right, and it is setting in.
I am over anxious, moody, irrational - PTSD related anxiety (separate), but I am more sensitive.

I have never really addressed it with any psych, but it seems like minor OCD is coming out worse now.

My PTSD is related to not feeling safe in my home - I find myself checking my locks, many times each night, primarily. It's obnoxious, I tell myself I just did it 30 mins ago, but I need to touch it to make sure. Then I have to go to the other door because there are two, lol. It's happened before, but worse now -- late at night, perhaps normal condo noises, if I hear anything, it's like my head amplifies it as to someone being in the hallway, and I will go to the peephole and look. This too can happen multiple times a night. My biggest fear is that I might be worse off than "just" bipolar.

I can also fixate on things like being over worried about fire because I have dogs (a damn box of tissues 6" from a candle in glass jar and I am shifting things around to move them away), or making sure my car is locked, even though it beeps, I have to do it one or two more times.

--

It's coming out in my relationship too. A stable relationship (for me ) otherwise. I'm not physical, and would never hurt her, but words sting too. I don't call names or degrade, but I am too quick to speak at times and can be argumentative...and stubborn (I can thank my dad's genetics .
There are many changes in my life, most importantly a job transition, and I feel a bit lost.

Sorry if this is a bit choppy, I feel a bit off right now but felt I needed some advice of sorts, and sometimes typing things out helps too.
I am going to see the psych in a week and a half (2nd visit with new one), and I got the blood tests she wanted as well. As much as I had musical meds, I need something else to balance me out. Even though I was a low dose of lithium, but for 8 years, I think I need something better to take it's place.

I feel like I went from 70% balanced, to 30% balanced, I'd at least like to get up to 80% for now

Thanks for reading.
Nick

[naejannej]

everything you wrote about your OCD is exactly like mine. I find that Ativan helps me with my anxiety. I am also going off lithium and feeling less stable, and topamax is taking its place. the verdict is still out on the transition. i hope things improve for you.

[sxprt]

I'll have to remember topomax.
I'm still having a very hard time. My temper flares have been quick and hard.
I'm counting the days to my psych visit - at this point I will sacrifice sex drive (hopefully not alot), but can't do the drugs that cause weight gain. Had it bad with Zyprexa.

It's just so painful, and I am mainly manic, so you can imagine at times.

[Confusedinomicon]

I would be careful about taking topomax. The wiki states research (i could probably find the original article if you want me to) has shown its not really effective for bipolar illness. The FDA has approves it for weight loss and its often taken with psychotropics to reduce weight gain symptom from other drugs.

[sxprt]

Interesting.
My mom was prescribed it for migraines, and I get them too so that would have been a perk. I know about the weight loss, which is better than gain, but that's interesting about it not being great for bipolar.