I have been DX'ed as BP1 and I'm a rapid cycler, but...I was just recently DX'ed.

So far, I have been prescribed Depakote (1000 mgs a day), and it seems to be working well, though I still cycle daily, just not as severely. I also have MS and have been on Topomax (400 mgs a day) and that helps as well. I take Klonopin as needed, and I have been on 40 mgs of Prozac for years, that hasn't changed.

So far so good since my DX, but I find I get the best results from my group therapy, and talking to others.

I'm about to start a 28 week class on DBT, which I hear is great.

xoxoxo Jen

take life one day at a time.

i have bp 1 rapid cycling, the best thing for me is regularly seeing the pdoc and tdoc and taking the meds regularly, in the past I have had a tendency to stop seeing my counselling when they dont tell and not seeking another, and messing with my meds, stopping , changing dosages etc. but the most important is staying away from toxic ppl as much as possible

well can you tell i have a problem with my racing thoughts by that post??? i am always amazed that my posts are always not what i intended to say? wtF it that??

I rapid cycle and I am BP 1. I was told that because I have hashimotos I am more prone to rapid cycling eventhough it is adequately treated. When I go into the hospital it is one of the first things that gets checked. I take Lamictal, Seroquel, Topamax, and Risperdal as needed. I still cycle - I think I always will. I am just used to it since I have been doing it for years. It just is not as severe nor as fast or often.

Also get your b-12 levels checked (this is not a standard run of the mill test - you have to ask for it specifically) it can screw with your moods as well. They thought I had MS because of some of the side effects and my moods were all scattered everywhere. I take 20,000% of the RDA of b-12 in liquid form (when I remember) and it really helps with the cycling.

You cannot try meds just once or twice a year - you have to keep trying them & stay on them. It takes trial and error in order to get the right med combo.

I was told by a group therapist once that she thought I was a BP 1 rapid cycler who could go from extreme mania back to depression then back to mania again.....but Right now I am doing fine on minimal meds....so I don't know what to believe. I am doing great!

I was DX'd in 2000/2001 with BP 1 Mixed and Rapid cycling. Since then it has taken LOTS of therapy and just about every med on the market. Lets see...2 bad episodes in 2003, 1 in 2005 and the last bad episode was in 2007.

Spent a month in the can(Jail) in 2003, and then lost my drivers license in 2007.

Have since lost my Truck Driving Career and My EMS(EMT) Career. So It Is A Rough Road!
Good Luck To You and learn how to deal every day.

I'm diagnosed BP2 by a horrible doctor even though it's obvious I'm BP1. I also have rapid cycling. I can flip in a split second. I just try to minimize the stress in my life as much as possible, take Topamax which helps me, and take one day at a time.

i find xanx and klonopin help when i'm in that mode even though i dont get the highs just mania with depression. talk to pdoc about adding in some other meds to find the right combination for you.

I am diagnosed with Bipolar 1, rapid cycler, and possibly Schizo Affective Disorder. I am skeptical about the SAD, I hallucinate the same as all of you here.

I go through lots of meds, they all have a short lifespan with me. They work well at first but within a month they no longer work well with me.

I think the name of a cartoon that used to be in my newspaper fits best, "Life in Hell!"