Running out of medication options - any suggestions?

I've been on quite a large number of meds and it's getting to the point where my last doc was putting me on the same ones again (making me very ill). I was wondering if anyone can throw any names at me, so I can suggest them to my doc rather than going on Zoloft again...
So, apart from valproate, lithium, carbamazepine and lamotrigine what other mood stabilisers are out there?
And what antidepressants are there (I've been on so many now)?
Cheers guys

Tikki, you sound like me. I have dysthymic depression and I think I have been on everything you can think of for depression. I wish I could help you w/a new med but go on other sites in the forum and maybe someone has the answer for you. Good luck..pj56........xo

Mood Stabilizers include
Neurontin
Trileptal
Topomax (although not recommended for single treatment of Bipolar 1)
Zyprexa (an anti-pyschotic but has mood stabilization properties)
Seroquel (an anti-psychotic but has mood stabilization properties)

Antidepressants include:
Effexor
Celexa
Lexapro
Serzone
Remeron
Paxil
Wellbutrin
Nardil
Sinequan
Ascendin
Marplan
Pamelor
Tofranil
Elavil
Desyrel

There are many options, including some of the older medications. Don't give up!

Not sure of your dx: looks like it is probably bipolar 1. Also, only know the meds by their brand names so I don't know for sure if you mentioned these mood stabilizers (atypical anti-psychotics)--Abilify & Geodon.

Old anti-depressant that has the side effect of drowsiness so my doc has prescribed it for me to take at night as I have a history of insomnia that leads to mania & then a crash into depression: Trazodone.

Other anti-depressants off the top of my head that I've been on that aren't on the list above: Busbar, Zoloft, tricyclics (old-time anti-depressants), MOAI's (haven't been on these myself).

Also, has your doc heard about how Provigil can be helpful for bipolar? It's for narcolepsy, but has been shown in studies to be helpful in bipolar.

Is your doc experimenting with a combo of meds?
It took a full year for me to get a "cocktail" that worked & it has had to be adjusted periodically (fell into a depression one winter & had Wellbutrin added; had an overdose after a long period of hypo mania that I didn't report to doc as I didn't realize how dangerous it was so meds are being adjusted now).

Right now: Abilify, Lamictal, Provigil, Trazodone, Klonopin, Topamax.

Also, Concerta for ADD, Synthroid for low thyroid, B-12 shots monthly for pernicious anemia (don't forget to look for other ailments that cause depression as low thyroid & anemia do).

ECT's are another option. Very different nowadays from the horror stories of the past. VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulator)--friend just had that implanted for treatment-resistant depression after trying all the meds & ECT's. She just had the surgery 2 weeks ago so too soon to get any results as it was just "turned on" last week.

Also, there is another new method of "brain stimulation" that I believe works on the vagus nerve but does not involve the implanting of a device. Just read about it, but can't remember the exact name.

Also, talk to your doc about supplements--fish oil? folic acid? zinc? Studies showing lots of these can benefit the mood. My doc considers exercise a "medication" & even jokingly wrote me a script for 30 min. exercise 5 days a week as I was slacking off & she is convinced it is helpful for depression, anxiety, & energy as well as physical health.

Diet needs to be considered.

Going to therapy? Support groups? Having a balanced lifestyle--work, relaxation, relationships, etc.

There is hope!--Suzy

Sorry, previous post should have had a trigger. I haven't been posting here much in the last maybe year of so so I forgot about that. Apologies & if I forgot on other posts, too. I'll try to be more aware of that. Hope I didn't cause anyone any problems.--Suzy

Thanks everyone, all that info is really helpful. It's really made my day, cause you've all been so supportive!
I take lots of exercise (when I'm not rock bottom) as it's the only way to calm my mania and my diet is really healthy (unless I'm not eating I guess lol), which is good cause that's one less thing to sort out, but bad cos I wish it would help more...!
I'll make a list of all the ones suggested that I haven't been on and take it to my doc - it's such a relief to think that if I have a huge list of other alternatives I won't have to go back on old ones. I think I require a bit of a cocktail too!
I'm new here, so I know it sounds stupid, but I don't quite understand the trigger function... I can guess but if someone could explain I'd be very grateful as I would hate to accidentally make anyone feel bad.
Thanks again guys xxx

Tikki: In the forum list there is the topic of GENERAL & then under that is Community Guidelines. It says the trigger icon should be used with "triggering" posts (or something like that). Icons located at the left of the box you type in; it says "post icon" & then you can use the arrow below to open the box to see the options that are available & there is one that says "trig."

I'm not sure if "triggering" is defined adequately anywhere, but as far as I understand it, it would be anything that you think might be sensitive & could upset someone such as child abuse, suicide, death of family member or friend, drug abuse, etc. That kind of thing.

Probably any kind of destructive or dysfunctional behavior would qualify. I think it is a judgment call, but I missed the boat as I wrote about OD.--Suzy

lamictal is really helping me with bipolar 2.

Thanks Suzy - good to know.
I've heard a lot of good stuff about Lamictal - and it def did help my mood, but I got every single side effect apart from the rash... maybe it would be worth trying again and hoping they ease off a bit!

Here are some second/third line treatments for mood disorders. I'll assume you know the first line ones. I've listed a few trade names in parenthesis, but there are often other drugs in that class.

Depression
-------------------------
NDRIs (Wellbutrin)
SNRIs (Effexor & Cymbalta)
ECT Treatment
Stimulants (Ritalin, Modafinil, & Adderall)
Anticonvulsants (Lamictal)
Lithium
Sleep Deprivation
Light Therapy

Bipolar
------------------------
Off label anticonvulsants (Topamax)
Antipsychotics

Wow. I wish I knew how to help... I know some things that have helped me with my mental health issues the most are some already mentioned but the one thats really helped is lamictal. Although I take 10 mg of valium twice a day that helps tremendously with both anxiety and calm down the moods and even out to some extent. Sorry I cant be of more assistance; but, goodluck to you
Danielle

I had the same problem until my doc put me on abilify(antipsychotic). It has really done the trick for me.

fharper6