Bipolar 2s: what stabilizers work for you-no antipsychotics!

I have had huge problems with short attempts at using Latuda and Risperdone. My mom couldn't tolerate serroquel. That's why I don't want to hear about anti-psychotics right now. I may ask later.
I may have to go back to Lithium-hope not, makes me so gassy. Embarrassing!
Don't want Depakote because it can cause weight gain. I gained 40 pounds from covid isolating-afraid to go to water aerobics for a couple years. We really need aerobic exercise because it's vital even with medication.
May consider Lamictal, but Im so busy that I could actually miss the rash and get in trouble before I needed to go off it.
I will take the DNA test soon. It's in the mail. I just hope my new Pdoc doesn't start pushing antipsychotics super hard if the DNA test recommends them.
Hugs!

@luvyrself I am sorry you have some side affects from using some meds.

I have found that most doctors have multiple options available so they often can accommodate your preferences and many are open to hear what you hope for in a med and what you prefer not to take. The DNA test may also provide some guidance but the opinion of the doctor to me is a more reliable guide than the DNA test. That test may rule out some meds but may not be a good indicator of what will be most beneficial for helping you mitigate the symptoms you experience.

-----I agree. Thanks!!!!!

Lamictal was very helpful for me but I had to stop it due to a delayed allergic reaction.

I was on it for about 5 years and those were pretty good years. I still had ups and downs but they weren't very deep and were manageable most of the time.

The rash is very rare but you should get every rash checked out while you're tapering up on it.

The taper process can take a couple of months and you might experience some instability until you reach your target dose. It's manageable though with the help of your doctor.

Once you reach your target dose, things settle down and the rashes become less frequent.

Pls see my responses in line. I absolutely hate Risperidone. To me, it was the worst medication ever. Latuda was OK but caused sexual side effects and some EPS. I am glad I am off of it.

Do not rule out antipsychotics based on two isolated cases. You can go back to the drawing board with APs later. There are so many things you have not tried. Our reactions to medications are so idiosyncratic, and slightly different medications can cause a vastly different response. For instance, I am doing well on Geodon which is Latuda's older cousin, and Geodon does not cause sexual side effects at all while Latuda killed my libido. Even though the medications are related and even though libido side effects are not common with Latuda, for me Latuda was very bad, but Geodon is good. At any rate, you do not want to consider them now and I am just mentioning it so that if you return to the subject matter later, you know you still have lots of options.

Lithium killed my thyroid function for life. Ultimately it was ineffective and it has been years since I stopped it, but my thyroid function has not returned. I need to be on Levoxyl, taking it daily. I wish I had known about it when I asked to be put on Lithium in 2009. I would not have started this medication had I know of such sequelae and, it happens often on Lithium. So definitely something to keep in mind. I did not know that Lithium can cause gassiness. I can only imagine how embarrassed this makes you feel. I would stop Lithium if it gave me an embarrassing side effect. So I am totally with you.

I gained a ton of weight on Depakote. It is one of the worst offenders in the weight gain department.

I am not clear about "aerobic exercise being vital even with medication". Isn't vital especially when on medication? I hope you were able to go back to water aerobics. By the way, water aerobics is also a little bit like strength training thanks to the resistance of the water against our muscles. So you are killing two birds at once.

Can you tie the habit of checking for possible rash to the existing habit of brushing your teeth?