Well. MY magic mixture is lithium, celexa, Zyprexa. I'm starting Prozac and cutting the celexa. I also love the highs of mania but they're always followed by a low low LOW. I don't mind the blood draws too much. I also have an anxiety disorder which causes depression too. But I'd say my illness is pretty well controles.

I'm 64 years old and was diagnosed with bi-polar when I was 19. I wasn't diagnosed with ptsd until years later. I've been on just about every anti depressant and mood stabilizer there is. None of them seemed to work long term. But now I take Wellbutrin and topamax. It's been working for me for about 5 years. I've been very high and very low. I also would rather be high. But experience has showed me that the eventual manic episode isn't worth riding that high. Once I start feeling "too happy" I'm right at the Dr for a medication adjustment. My only mission is to avoid that hospital stay. Shoot. I'm talking too much.

I am blessed to not only have bipolar depression but also dysthymia so no matter what, I have low energy all the time. I believe that the "too happy" element of mania is the problem with a lack of self-control. It is about the urge to have"good feelings" that won't turn off. When people experience mania, they often seek out things like sex, drinking, and spending money. Which aren't ordinarily problems for people, but when we're manic, the urges are very strong and unrelenting and often cause problems with relationships and employment. And often have problems with less of an appetite, difficulty getting sleep, and with rapid thoughts and speech. Being arrested for out of control behavior and/or hospitalized for psychiatric symptoms is common. But that is just an average. For me, when I'm manic, I can tell because I get more easily irritable, talk more, eat my favorite comfort foods uncontrollably, and don't sleep as much.
There are two foundational medications for bipolar disorder. One tends to work better for those who are more manic than depressed most of the time, and the other tends to work better for those who are more depressed than manic most of the time. Lithium is the number one go-to medication and the first one made for bipolar disorder. It tends to work best for people who have more problems with mania than depression. A newer medication that has been around for a while now is called Lamictal. Lamictal has antidepressant effects as well as addressing bipolar symptoms. And there are many other medications that can be added in conjunction with either of those two.

I have taken a zillion different medications only to have them stop working in six months or so. Anti depressants tend to tip me towards mania so I really can't take them anymore...

My core problem is with sleep so if I sleep well I don't have episodes...so I take trazadone and Seroquel to sleep in small amounts and that is working well.

My other problem has been over scheduling and over commiting so I have been very mindful of that as well. All things considered I'm doing very well....

Thanks for all of your thoughts. It is nice to see that I am not the only one. My prayers are with each and everyone of you that you have enough courage and medication to fight this battle. Love to all

Big hug for you aka..... I'm glad you've found what works for you..... I can't really take AD's either.... I was put on them before for deep depression I was hospitalized for but felt like I was crawling out of my skin
I have tried a gamut of meds as well and try and stick with my 'oldies'
I'm on Seroquel, tegretol and restoril for sleep
I never get the 'happy' either at least not for more then a few days and then I become mixed..... My meds sort of keep me flat but I have a huge problem with sleep and at least I feel stable.... xo

I too am new to this posting site on BP disorder. My medicine regimen is Wellbrutrin, Zoloft 100 mg + 50 mg. When I started the Wellbrutrin at a lower dosage it seem to work better. I would pop up at 6 am every morning and felt better. Now I am back to hitting that snooze button too many times. . I met a NP name Lisa who was great, but due health insurances I could no longer see her. RAMBELING. Anyway my biggest problem is shopping. I also have a problem with organization at home and work. I believe I have ADD. But I have nor found a doctor to diagnose or disprove my theory.

Hi Hem, I'm so glad you are here. I love the feedback. I took Welbutrin to quit smoking. Worked like a charm with in 3 days I had quit. The 2nd time they gave it to me, I shook...got real nervous and even my voice was trembling when I spoke.

If you felt better with a lower dose go back to it. I take Ambien to sleep and it is not a cure. It has just caused other problems. Meletonin and over the counter sleep meds help. Do stay in touch. Much love