How can this many meds not be working?

Ugh. I'm frustrated. Finished up a hypomanic episode about a week ago and now I've crashed into depression. Right at the start of a rigorous EMT course that cost me a grand. Wonderful.

I'm on Lexapro 30mg, Lithium 1500mg, Zyprexa 5mg, and recently added Depakote to the mix now at 500mg. So far all the Depakote has given me is diarrhea 3-5 times a day.

Is there anything out there that can help me stop cycling? I know Lamictal is helpful for bipolar depression and rapid cycling, but I have pretty wicked manias that need to be controlled as well (hence the Depakote).

I really want to be off the APs eventually, but I'm considering using one FDA approved for Bipolar depression.

I don't know. Any suggestions?

I may be trying Lamictal soon, if I do I'll let you know how it goes. I feel like abilify helps mellow me out quite a bit. I notice my ups aren't as wild as before I started taking it.

Is your lithium level therapeutic? When I was lithium toxic I had diarrhea.

Hope you feel better soon

Crap that might be it. I haven't been checked in a couple months, last time being .9

Maybe the problem is that this many meds cancel out the good they might produce in less polypharm combination. More ain't necesarily better.

I am currently on 6 meds was up to as high as 9 meds. So I can totally relate with your frustration. I have been battling deep depression for over a year. I started Geodon and it was the first drug for me to say there was hope in that I actually felt more motivated to get up and do something. The Pdoc started me on Saphris yesterday and I woke up with a wicked hangover this a.m. I hope that helps and good luck with be patient.

I take 6 meds half for the depression I am in. I just started on Lamictal and am really loving it. It has already given me more energy.

Shiiiiit sorry you are struggling with your meds right now. I'm mixed state, rapid cycling, so I understand how hard it is to get right. Just keep trying. Don't give up. It is worth it, you are worth it. You just need the right combo and the right dose. Good luck and take care. Keep us posted on your progress and any developments.

I'm like chooca, except, treatment resistant ultradian w/mixed state. NOTHING works. 25 meds in 21 years. And Klonopin is losing its punch. Just completed in-lab sleep study because research is showing that close to 50% of treatment resistant rapid cyclers have some form of sleep apnea. See your primary or a sleep specialist if you don't need a referral. My insurance(Aetna)wanted more info before approving it but when they saw my two sleep survey scores and my medical history, they signed off on it in less than a day. I can only hope that the test results are positive.

I had diarrhea from lithium when I first started it. It can happen even if your level is okay. My pdoc switched me from taking one dose in the am and one in the pm to taking both pills at night. It greatly helped the problem for me.

I don't think more is always better. Just my feeling on it.

Hope you find what works for you.