Fighting with Bipolar and winning!!

What medication should you try?

I felt normal just weeks after trying the combination of lamictal. Generic name: lamotrigine. Lanictal is used either alone or in combination with other medications to treat mood episodes and adults with bipolar disorder. (Manic depression). This can be used in children that are of 13 years of age and older. The only really side effect that seems to be a problem for people is a severe skin rash. So start taking this in a very small dose. It can be used in combination with another drug. I was put in that with a combination of geodon. (Ziorasidone) which is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain. It is used to treat schizophrenia and manic symptoms of bipolar disorder in adults and  children ( atleast ten years of age and older) I'm telling ya, taking this combination of medication has done wonders! Geodon and lamictal are the two medications that don't have severe weigh increase all over the label. I have also tried zyprexa. (olanzapine) is amazing. I felt normal and took it for several years, but I was on the highest dose and had to switch back over to geodon. Zyprexa is sometimes used together with other antipsychotic medications or antidepressants. Zyprexa is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic condition such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in adults and children who are at least 13 years old. It may impair your  thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires for you to be alert. Avoid drinking alcohol and any of these medications.  It can cause high blood sugar, if you're diabetic, you should check  your blood sugar levels on a regular basis. Also, avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink fluids! Especially in hot weather or during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated on this medication. Obviously there are many more side effects, but those are the most common ones. Depakote ( divalproex sodium) is another great medication to try. These are all to help with your manic episodes. Use this in combination with lamictal or another mood stabilizer. Thorazine (tablets) is also known to treat mania and I'm learning more about it every day as I talk to and go to bipolar support groups. I haven't personally tried this medication, but I heard great things. I take Depakote. (Divalproex sodium) is used to treat manic episodes. It is known to possibly cause liver failure, so obviously do not drink on this (or any other) medication. A lot of times when you struggle with bipolar, you need to be put on a good sleeping medication. The most important part of staying healthy is by getting enough sleep. When I was in the hospital, the doctors would recommend that we got at least 4 to 6 hours of sleep. That was very helpful to find out in the institution. See you can have a normal life, you just need to sleep and find the right medication. I have tried risperdal (risperdone) but I HATED it. A lot of people complain about the sleeping medication. It is an antipsychotic medication and it works by changing the effects of the chemicals in the brain. It is also used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children who are at least 13 years of age. I currently take seeoquel. (Quetiapine) and love, love it! I am Seroquel, there are several side effects. The only side effect that I am suffering from is the drowsiness. But, that goes away shortly after trying to wake up the following morning. Until you are adjusted  properly to these medications, I would avoid from getting behind the wheel. I am so proud of myself for being honest with my physiatrist and getting myself off of the addicting pull called Xanax. I can't get over how many people on the streets wanted to hit me up for that six dollar bill. I was popping it like candy and I had no idea when I should take a dose or not. That is why I am thankful for Ativan. (lorazepam) helps with my anxiety. It does help me with my anxiety. Do not take any of these medications but you're pregnant. If you were taking them before you found out that you were pregnant, talk to your psychiatrist right away. You will need to start taking folic acid to prevent any kind of birth defect. Do not self medicate, do you and your family a favor and take your meds as prescribed. Yes, for the first couple of weeks you are more than likely going to feel drowsy and less motivated. Give it time, it will get better in no time. Maybe you just need a lower dose of that medication. After you get out the hospital (you may not even need to go to a hospital) follow up with any pinerest clinic in your area. They all have a psychiatrist and a therapist ready to give you a helping hand. Chances are that you qualify for Medicaid if you do have a mental illness. You can get help financially. It would really help your spouse and your children benefit from this if you just started to do your part by admitting that you may have a mental illness. I can share with you bits and pieces about what it feels like to become manic. Everything is like going in fast forward. Sometimes I actually think that I am in heaven. It's really confusing and I will try at a later time to explain to you what it feels like to have an episode. I wasn't just diagnosed with bipolar this last time. I hated to, but I had to be honest in order to get help. I've heard voices and I have since I was a small child. It scared the shit out of me. I am finally for once not hearing those loud voices and getting to know this new "me" is very exciting! Thank you for your continuous prayers