[TicTacGo]

Currently on:

Lithium 800 mg p/d (bp)
Concerta 36 mg p/d (adhd)
Fluanxol 1 mg (bdd)

Changing from Seroquel 200 mg p/d

I have already been on:

Risperdal
Zyprexa
Abilify

[still_crazy]

hi. some people report good results with perphenazine in bipolar I. Perphenazine did almost as well as zyprexa in a big trial with people diagnosed as Schizophrenic, so I guess that has led some doctors to take another look at some of the older tranquilizers.

I have read that loxapine can be effective and fairly well-tolerated, as long as you watch the dose. a doctor once suggested i give amoxapine a try. I don't think its still around everywhere, but...its a tricyclic. Once you've been on it for a while, it functions like a tranquilizer and an antidepressant. Its a TCA, so there are toxicity issues and other adverse effects to consider, but its supposed to be effective and I've been told that if it works for someone, it should work faster than many other available options.

[Guiness187055]

what about Lamictal or depakote

[TicTacGo]

@still_crazy - thanks. I've heard of both.

@Guiness187055 - Been on Lamictal (bad reaction) and have not considered a non-AP option.

[TicTacGo]

Follow up question

How much background knowledge is too much? I know some docs get annoyed. I believe it is good to have some idea of what is going on. Where is the line?

[benzenering]

Xraylar or Saphris. Been on both (not at the same time!) and each is very effective.

[Nammu]

No such thing as too much knowledge about your own illness and treatments including meds. Just insecure Pdocs who are threatened by knowledgeable clients. I prefer Pdocs who enjoy knowledgeable patients and treat me as if I have more experience than he does about the side effects and benefits, a pdoc who aims at a quality life for me not just one that want a genuflecting and mindlessly compliant patient.

[dolphingirl]

Originally Posted by TicTacGo

Follow up question

How much background knowledge is too much? I know some docs get annoyed. I believe it is good to have some idea of what is going on. Where is the line?

I agree that I don't really think that there is too much knowledge. It's important to be well informed about decisions you're making so you can make the best one- psych meds, car buying, new jobs, etc. I think it is more of how you present the knowledge you have to the doctor. If you start off with, "I heard about this new medication on TV for depression..." Docs are immediately annoyed unless that drug rep just came by their office. If you explain your reasoning/thinking and add "what would you think" the doc would probably be more open. "Doc I've tried several antidepressants from different classes and I'm still having a lot of symptoms what do you think about trying Abilify, Rexulti, etc.?" If doc suggest one medication and you are already aware of some of the side effects & concerned asking/suggesting a similar one is okay. Other professions get annoyed too when the client/consumer appears/acts like they are more knowledgeable.

[benzenering]

That's Vraylar, not Xraylar, lol

[EvilAleister]

Maybe lurasidone (Latuda)? It was working great for me (also Bipolar 1) until my insurance stopped covering it.