What a long strange trip it has been

First off, hello all! I have been a long time lurker first time poster. The reason I came here today was to share my personal story and get feed back from others who may have had similar experiences. I also would like others opinions as to the medications that I am currently taking.

Well, here it goes. Back in high school I had a hard time with school, I was sent to a prestigious school and tested in at the top 5%. At first I just didn't do well and my parents chalked it up to transitioning to high school - a year later I get diagnosed with adhd by a neurologist basically said I was one of the worst cases he has ever seen and began to cycle through prescription and prescription of adderal vyanse etc.. I managed to graduate.

College starts and I experienced extraordinary life stressors and found marijuana. Seriously a lethal combo in terms of academia. Before I got kicked out I wound up in a psychiatric ward after suicidal ideation. Apparentlty the Anti depressants triggered a manic break which I once again used marijuana to 'control'

Eventually I came to terms with the fact I was ill and went back to my psychiatrist from the hospital. He confirmed my suspicions that I did indeed have bipolar 1 moderate manic episode. I was good for a while I got my life together, returned to school and earned a 3.7 gpa. I truly believe I would've had a 4.0 had I not started slipping at the end of the semester. I stopped my meds stopped believing I have this disorder. It took me 5/6 months before I returned to treatment. I'm very stable now I think logically I am not delusional I still feel as if my 'creative genius' is being silenced but I hope this too shall pass. I don't know what I would do with my doctor and my family and friends.

It's going to be a month since I started soon and I'm really excited for my future. I'm having difficulty motivating myself to excersize and to eat healthy as my medicine causes ridiculous sugar cravings. I hope to one day be medication free but if that doesn't happen I just want stay stable.


Seroquel 600mg
Depakote 1000mg
Lithium 600mh
Wellbutrin 300mg

Welcome!!!. Congrats in your graduation.
I'm only familiar with the Lithium, which will kinda flatten you out.
You also have some heavy artillery besides the Li that I'm not familiar with.
How is the Wellbutrin working for you?. It's supposed to lift you up.

Hi welcome! I felt flattened (and fattened haha) on lithium. Worst trip to vegas ever while on lithium. Welbutrin I liked too much and turned into a big party all the time.
You just keep trying stuff & adjusting the meds & getting lifestyle healthier, and it gets better. Then sometimes it gets worse, and then you figure it out again.
You're in the right place here, good people & good advice. We will get by!!

I think the Seraquel is fattening. Crave carbs and sugar big time in middle of night.

Hi! I take Seroquel in the evening, and get pretty sleepy within 90 minutes. I read that it can cause pre-diabetes, so even though I get the sugar cravings, I avoid eating after supper and substitute stevia for sugar. Even with the meds I'm on, I still feel creative, not flat definitely. I hope you see improvement on your way to stable.

Welcome!!
Congrats on your graduation and thank you for sharing your story.
I love Welbutrin, it gives me energy to stay up during the day. Seroquel...that made me eat so much! The carb cravings were out of control!

My experiences with seroquel are like most of the peoples here - I actually had a binge eating problem at night ( i felt like i was in a coma )

As for wellbutrin - I felt it more prior to the seroquel/lithium. But accounting for how much the seroquel knocks me out - I assume that the wellbutrin allows me stay awake throughout the day.

Thanks for the support I truly appreciate it