[vacantangel]

I take one 3 times a day and my moods are anything but stable. They don't work. So, what's the point. Might as well not take it at all. They're totally useless. And it's not like this is my first one, I've tried several and yet my rapid cycling gets worse all the time. I'm tired of all these meds that do absolutely nothing. Sorry, not a question, just comments.

[BamaSurvivor]

Angel, mine was the total opposite. We tried every anti depressent we possibly could and everytime, I'd go straight into mania the whole time. We finally discovered antidepressents weren't good for me, only mood stabalizers. They don't make me happy, but they don't send me to mania either, so we're working with it. Maybe you can't handle stabalizers and need antidepressents?

[vacantangel]

The ADs are the only thing keeping me alive and right now they're even losing my battle.

angel, which mood stabilizers have you ben on? maybe a different one would work. gool luck.

ryan

[vacantangel]

I've been on Depakote, Lamictal, Lithium, Topomax and now Tegretol. Round and round and round we go, where we stop nobody knows....but it ain't Tegretol cuz it isn't working.

I've seen that Bipolar disorder can sometimes be treated with atypical antipsychotics. For instance, Zyprexa came on the market approved only for schizophrenia, but was later approved to treat Bipolar disorder too.

Also apparently Clozaril - an atypical antipsychotic, (but it needs special blood tests for the first 6 months) can be used to treat bipolar disorder. I read something about how it helps with the confusion caused by moving from one mood to another - as opposed to being psychotic.

Anyhow, it's something to ask your pdoc about maybe.

Take care, emmy

[vacantangel]

I know about Zyprexa but it carries a heavy side effect of significant weight gain. I don't want that so I'm avoiding that one even though my pharmacist had suggested it to me a few months ago.

I'm not aware of the other one but my pdoc did mention awhile ago the anti-psychotics would probably be where were headed next. WTH, might just as well sample everything on the market.

[(JD)]

((((angel)))) sorry to hear of your trouble. I, too, have trouble and just cannot take any of these meds. Have you tried brand names and generics? There is a difference. (in fillers, not actual med) Speak to your pharmacist... and see what classification of med you might not have tried.

[vacantangel]

My insurance will not cover brand name drugs unless there is no generic for it. I can't afford to pay for them myself, they are way too costly.

have you tried klonopin? its in the mood stabilizer sorta class... even though its a benzodiazepine, its used for bipolar disorder.

but im in your boat...
ive tried it all...

[darkeyes]

It may be that your pdoc hasn't hit on the right med or even DX, it is possible the meds he or she has prescibed is not for your DX, there are so many mood stabilizers these days, and many work, when used as directed.
Then there are cases of misdiagnosis and improper meds for the DX. See if you can talk this over with your pdoc, if he or she is not willing to listen to what you have to say or ask in regards to your well being, then try to find a new pdoc. Just remember you CAN be helped, do not give up, it is hard, and frustrating I know, but once the right med is given, you'll see over time how much better you'll be, just takes time.
I wish you lots of luck with this

DE

[darkeyes]

Klonopin, Ativan, as well as the other "benzos" are not mood stabilizers, they are anti anxiety meds., producing a calming affect, and often used in adjunt with mood stabilizers,and/or other meds. or used alone.
They are really helpful for Bipolars who are stressed with stuff in their lives while dealing with their illness, kind of slows down the possible triggering into a manic cycle.
Maybe, the poster here needs a combo of different meds that work together in such a way that will bring balance. . . best thing is to talk to the pdoc about alternate meds, or adding any as well as discontinuing any.

Lots of luck to y'all

[vacantangel]

ccl

I'm on Klonopin too. I'm on several meds.

[vacantangel]

Thanks DE. Personally, I HATE med changes, actually, I guess nobody likes them. I'm extremely med sensitive too that's why I've gone through so many. It's not that they didn't work, couldn't stay on them long enough to find out. I was only on Lithium for 2 weeks and had to be pulled off immediately due to extreme side effects. It's the side effects that are the problem. Well, sometimes. Sometimes it's the side effects and that the med is not working. I'm really not very optimistic of finding the right combo. I keep asking for more increases to my ADs but she just won't go there.

[vacantangel]

Already taking benzos.

Here's my current combo:

Tegretol
Effexor XR
Wellbutrin (don't think the med works, but the s/e are good)
Klonopin
Xanax (this is the only thing that works for me)

just going by the words of my doctor who said it works as a mood stabilizer because it is classified as an aticonvulsant... and also in the 2004 PDR it states"even though a benzodiazepine, clonazepam is used only as an anticonvulsant" indications for it include: certain types of seizures, tic disorders , panic disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar affective disorder.....

(i am not trying to argue by the way just wanna clarify why i said what i said)

[apislily]

Have you and your doctor tried combining mood stabilizers? I take smaller doses of two instead of one big dose of one. Hitting the mood swings from two sides seems to work better for me, and the lower doses minimize side effects.

Good luck!

-apislily

[emwell]

My meds

Straterra 100mg per day
Zoloft 150 mg per day
Klonopin .5 mg 3 times per day
Trazodone 100 - 150 mg at night
Risperdal 1mg per day

The risperdal is an anti-psychotic that is also used as a mood stabilizer at low doses. I may ask to have this increased next time I see my Doctor. I have not had a panic attack in about a year. I know it is the Klonopin and maybe the Zoloft. But I don't want to be on Klonopin forever. Today my Doctor mentioned changing the Zoloft to some new med that I never heard of. I have had very little success with anti-depressents. My doctor even had an official diagnosis for people who's depression did not respond to meds.

Be careful with Clozaril. I had numerous clients on that drug. Blood tests were required every week while on the drug back then. It worked awesome for one psychotic man, but his white blood cell count went way high and we needed to take him off of it. The side effects are not the greatest either. Drooling being the biggest.

[darkeyes]

Benzo's are NOT anti-convulsants (sp?), sure they may help, but they are not anti-convulsants or mood stabilizers, perhaps in adjunct with other meds they can help foster the effects of other meds.
I am not looking to argue about what med is what and their side effects. Though, I do know they are all different and are in different catagories (scientifically as well as pharmaceutically) so my reply here was to verify what meds are for what.
Frankly, I do not care who or what accepts the brief definitions or catagories such meds fall in, my main goal is to educate others of the different classifications of the various meds used today.
Also, to encourage those to take their pdoc's advice before condemming meds and treatment plans, okay?
Do whatever you decide, all I did was to add my "experienced" opinion.
Good luck to all.

DE

[vacantangel]

I used to be on Depakote and Lamictal at the same time. It didn't make any difference. I'm supposed to go to my pdoc on Wednesday but we are in the midst of a 48 hr major snowstorm with quite a bit of accumulation expected, so it's doubtful I'm going anywhere which will mean we'll have to just renew the current meds over the phone. I doubt anyway that she would want to make any med changes at this time because she will be away the entire month of April on vacation. So, I guess I'm stuck with what I got until May.

so up and down I will go. sheesh!!! I may need somebody to throw me a life raft a few times before she comes back.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
all I did was to add my "experienced" opinion

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
as did i... no darkeyes, im not picking a fight with you but i guess it has inadvertantly turned into an argument...
pick up a pdr... maybe yours says different than mine does, but you already read what mine said.

angelgirl, i just know from my own experience that klonopin works for me...
you must know im not trying to "prescribe" you a regimen right? just hope you find somethin that works for you.

education on meds from various sources is probably the best thing to do if your doc isnt giving you stuff that works quite right.

[emwell]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
all I did was to add my "experienced" opinion

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post"> ROFL cottoncandylocks. You beat me. I was going to use this quote and reply with "AS DID I".

Klonopin is used for seizures. It states that on every script I get. I use it for panic attacks.

[darkeyes]

You are very wrong, I am not looking to argue facts, you are free to believe whatever you wish.
I am sorry for you that you felt I was looking to argue in any sense.
I will not reply to anymore of your posts, if that is your wish. Sad to say, it seems you have a persecution complex and do not like to hear some truth in regards to your post(s).
You are free to make your own decisions on treatment, pdocs, meds. it all depends on you, no one else can tell you what to do or where to go. . . especially when one does not wish, in their hearts, to get better.
Remember you are the one to make the choice(S).
I just pray that whatever choice you make, benefits you and your future.
Sincere good wishes to you,

DE

[vacantangel]

With all this talk about Klonopin. I am taking it already but I'm taking it for RLS. It doesn't even touch my anxiety, that's why I also take Xanax.