[Darlingminx]

Hi, I'm new here. I have bipolar 2, with lots of mixed episodes. I guess I have the rapid cycling also. I used to b on Paxil 20mg, then added lamictal 200mg. The lamictal worked like magic to make mind behave in a way I had long forgotten. I thought after a while that maybe I only neede the lamictal so I tapered off Paxil. That was a year ago. 4 months of anxiety later I was prescribed Prozac which I took for a few months. Then I tried again to quit. From thanksgiving through February I was depressed. I finally third zoloft(no good) and now I am trying effexor. This time I'm going to stay on antidepressants. This time I got so agitated that I lost control of my words and thoughts. Nearly quit my job. Flipped out on my boss. Stormed out of a bingo in front of my daughter. You get the point.
I needed to get that off my chest
I need to know that I'm not alone and not the only one to behave like that

Thanks for listening

[Icare dixit]

You sure aren't alone.

Have you tried taking antipsychotics? You seem to use just mostly antidepressive meds. APs would be more antimanic, other mood stabilisers would be as well.

[gina_re]

You definitely are not alone. I feel your pain and have been in similar situations. I hope you are able to find relief soon. Please take care.

[Darlingminx]

I've tried antipsychotics in the past and they made me soooo tired. Using Paxil with lamictal worked well in the past but I got the idea that maybe I didn't need it so I stopped. Everything after that has kinda been a blur. It's unsettling how easy it is to lose track of things. Anyway, the side effects from Paxil were too much this time so I switched to Effexor. It's definitely taken the edge off but I'm still agitated and irritable. And obsessive. I'm still working on finding the right dosage. Maybe I need to up the lamictal as well but I want to hold off. I really hope it doesn't lose its effectiveness. That drug has changed my life profoundly.
Thanks for the welcome, encouragement and support! It was exactly what I need

[Darlingminx]

Thank you so much!

[newtothis31]

When I was on effexor, I had to get the dosage reduced initially because I had such a strong reaction to it- I couldn't sleep at all. It really took about four weeks before the medicine started to help me feel less depressed. It really helped with my anxiety symptoms as well- so i hope it brings you some relief once your body gets used to it.

[Icare dixit]

Not all antipsychotics are equally sedating, so you might try another one. But maybe just an antidepressive together with (also) a mood stabilising med work best for you. Personally, I would never use an antidepressant (longterm). Atypical antipsychotics are antidepressive enough for me (and arguably should be for everyone).

I'd suggest you make sure the cause of your anxiety/agitation is not something antidepressants might make worse. If you are less in touch with your emotions, bad as they may be, this might cause more/also anxiety/agitation.

Good luck finding the best treatment, one that still allows you to reach a stage and solution for your problems, where meds are not needed as much or at all. You don't want increasing dependence, I'd say.

[st0psign]

you're never alone here, I also get mixed states and rapid cycle. it's a rough life, but the community here is nice to be a part of. it's a circle of people who only understand and want the best for you, it's a good place to be .