If you are bipolar what medicines are you on?

Question

I have tried Lamictal but it caused weight gain so Im going to be going off that. The lithium i think works to a certain degree. Geodon makes me soooo nervous so I am going to be going off that. I need a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic drug to level me out with the lithium. So basically anything that does the job without weigh gain or anxiety.

Answer 1

I'm currently on Lamictal, Wellbutrin, Trazadone, and Rozerem. Lamictal has been a miracle drug for me that did NOT cause me to gain weight - in fact I LOST weight on these medications.

You really need to talk with your doctor about this. He knows your medical history and what medications would be right for you. Then stick with it and take your medication EXACTLY as it's prescribed. I know this is very difficult to do, but I am finally stable after years and years of living in hell. I would not trade this for anything, even if I weighed 300 lbs. Good luck!

Answer 2

Wow, loaded question. Lamictal is actually an anti-seizure med, usually they try the lithium first (I have been on Lithium for 5 years, except for a pregnancy). You may want to try Risperdal (spelling?) for an anti-psychotic because it doesn't usually have the weight gain effects of stuff like Zyprexa (gained 40 pounds in 4 months!). Geodon has also been known to cause heart problems or aggravate existing ones, which could explain your anxiety. Did you have any testing done prior to starting the Geodon to determine what shape your heart is in?
The lithium IS the mood stabilizer, while the Lamictal (although sometimes used as one) isn't . . . if that is what your doctor told you, you need to find a new psychiatrist immediately. Did you ask your doctor what he/she suggests? Usually the patient doesn't make the call . . .
You seem to have been misinformed by your medical health professional as to which drug treats what symptom and what each is used for, and I would suggest possibly seeking out a new doc, for your own good.

Good luck!

P.S. I take Eskalith (extended release Lithium) for mood stabilization and clonazepam for anxiety.

Answer 3

Many of the antipsychotic medications have these kinds of side-effects. I know exactly how you feel. If you can find one that doesn't react with your body chemistry in a bad way, you should try to stick with it. That said, I have been taking Seroquel for the past year. I have good recuperative sleep and less anxiety with this, but it can cause weight gain. You just have to be willing to watch your diet, and step up your exercise regimen. Walking twice a day helps a lot. By far, I have found this medication to be more effective than others. Make sure that you communicate well with your doctor to get the right dosage of any of these medications, because that can make a big difference.

Answer 4

The lithium probably caused your weight gain, not the lamictal. Topamax will cause weight loss, but its not a FDA approved mood stabilizer and has mixed results.

Answer 5

Three groups of antidepressant medications are most often used to treat depressive disorders: tricyclics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and lithium. Lithium was the treatment of choice for bipolar disorder and some forms of recurring, major depression. However, more recently doctors have also been using anticonvulsants for bipolar disorder. Your physician must consider your personal health history and response to medications in determining what is best for you. Sometimes different medications are tried, and sometimes the dosage must be increased to be effective.

People often are tempted to stop medication too soon. It is important to keep taking medication until your doctor says to stop, even if you feel better beforehand. Some medications must be stopped gradually to give your body time to adjust. For individuals with bipolar disorder, medication may have to become part of everyday life to avoid disabling symptoms. That is, antimanic medications are designed to stop a manic episode in progress, but they are also preventative. Taking the medication helps prevent another manic episode. Depending on the frequency and severity of episodes, your physician may recommend ongoing treatment with antimanic medication to prevent future episodes.

As is the case with any type of medication prescribed for more than a few days, antimanic medications have to be carefully monitored to see if you are getting the correct dosage. Your doctor will want to check the dosage and its effectiveness regularly.

Answer 6

5 mg Abilify (will increase to 10 mg)

100 mg Lamictal

Both are used as mood stabilizers. Abilify is supposed to help with depression. Still working on it though.

Answer 7

I'm not, but I very nearly became diagnosed as that, because I was MASSIVELY hyperthyroid (try nine times over the normal range of thyroid hormone, and crazy sweats and heart rate on top of it.)
Anyway,
THe idea is,
lithium is known to kill the thyroid. Which may explain why it was used so widely at first-
the doctors could not distinguish between one a nd the other.
This misdiagnosis is VERY common, as per doctors whose works I've read,
So please make sure you've had your hormones screened, if you're not on top of this already.

Answer 8

I'm on Lamictal @ 25mg/day. Doesn't seem to be doing much. My psych put me on it for anger/anxiety problems.

Answer 9

I am on TOPMAX it makes me loos weight i use to take depokote
i like this better also it helps me sleep also i take 150mg of effoxser in the morninig i never felt beter. i lost 10 pounds in a month sinse i started the topmax

Answer 10

60 mg cymbalta