Different Medications? - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

xblondeangel650 · 12-02-2008, 04:56 AM

I have Bipolar Mania/Dysthymia,and have taken Depakote,Paxil,Prozac,and Xanax in the past.Are there any medications that are better for Bipolar? I had some negative affects with the other medications,I want to avoid that again if possible.

dreams in neon · 12-02-2008, 07:04 PM

Finding the right meds that help stabilize you can be a hit or miss proposition.

Having said that, the med combo that works best for me is 100mg Lamictal, 20mg Zyprexa, 4mg Risperdal and 200mg Trazodone.

I started taking Lamictal last week after being admitted IP and within a week, it helped my severe depression. The Zyprexa also addressed my mania.

One of the nice things I like about Lamictal is the fact that it doesn't have alot of side effects. Since you titrate your dosage (although in my case we didn't given the fact that my severe depression needed to be relieved immediately) up to 100mg or so, there is less chance that you'll experience negative side effects.

I used to be on 500mg Depakote 3x/day, 4mg Risperdal at bedtime and 100mg Trazodone at bedtime. This combo worked well for the past 2 years, but finally "pooped out" on me, so I had to switch to an entirely different "cocktail."

If you're struggling to find the right meds that work best for you, don't give up! Sometimes it can take awhile before the best combination is found. Try to hang in there because the wait will definitely be worth it.

AuntieLeela · 12-03-2008, 09:05 AM

It doesn't work as monotherapy for everyone but if you haven't tried it yet - Extended release Lithium.

It took take up to a year to tweak the blood levels just right, during that time side effects could be bothersome on and off.

I rarely have side effects now, occasionally about an hour after my dose I'll stare off into space/get sleepy for a few minutes.

xblondeangel650 · 12-03-2008, 12:37 PM

Yeah I actrually had to stop taking the Seroquel only after a day! It knocked me out as if I took a tranquilizer,and in the morning I felt very depressed and fatigued.It oviously was the wrong medication,I had to call my Pysch asap to get a different medication,Depokote.I use to take it before but stopped because I was on too low of a dosage and it got expensive.I was not on medication almost 7-8 months,it got pretty dangerous because my manic behavier is awfull.I do not recommened Seroquel for anyone,it should be put off the market.