He seems to be expecting a bit much of you!

It depends a lot on your symptoms, needs and past experiences which drugs will help most. Have you had certain drugs which have or have not worked for you in the past? Are you on any meds at the moment? Are you more manic or depressed? What are you needing to achieve with the meds? Have you had family members on any of these meds? Do you have major financial constraints? (sorry for all the questions but they are all important to consider - one can't just pick a drug out of the air!)

I assume the anticonvulsants are being recommended as mood stabilisers? Where does Lithium come in?

I am on whole combo of meds, which include both anti-convulsants and atypical antipsychotics, amongst others. They help in different ways.

Sorry can't be more helpful!

I'd expect him to make recommendations to you.

Tell me, are you Bipolar 1 or Bipolar 2? translation do you get proper delusions, hallucinations, psychosis? If you do you are BP1 probably - if not BP2.

Do you get more high than low?

You might question why you would be put on an antipsychotic if you don't get psychotic - but it seems a trend in the US - maybe they make more money on them?

If you are BP2 and generally have depression you might go for lamotragine (lamictal) - that's what I am on - it's good for depression but maybe not so hot on controlling mania.

He didn't mention lithium?

The F one maybe Fanapt. It depends on what your standards are in meds. Some cause significant weight gain, like lithium. Lamictal, wellbutrin are great for the weight issue and actually can cause weight loss. Latuda works great for me but I would never recommend taking it in the day time because of its sedative nature. Saphris is an awful tasting med and I couldn't stay stable on it or stand the numbing and bitter taste. Just to add I never experienced psychotic behavior due to a med except for Geodon, I nearly killed myself and I have never intended to due harm to myself. Of all the meds you listed I have not taken the Resperidol but everything else i have and then some. I know a lot about meds and have gone through training in the knowlege of medications. Depakote can cause acid reflux at night. Which nearly caused my death. I have sleep apnea and acid reflux happen one night and i asperated it into my lungs and it caused me to choke. but there again it all depends on your own physical conditions. if you have any specific medical conditions i could better tell you what you may want to try....just let me know and I would be glad to help you. I have been through most all psychiatric meds...so i may be able to help

All very good questions to ask You do need to know the diagnosis bipolar I or II

I am rapid cycler unstable Bipolar I I take antipsychotic and anticonvulsants and klonipin and a sleeping aid I show some improvement of symptoms yet nothing takes them completely away but I am rare

He knows of the reactions side effects and cost my antipsychotic is so expensive that no could expect anyone to be able to pay for it without help I am 100% disabled

You should not be expected to do all of the research He really needs to do his job and find what would help your symptoms then prescribe the right meds

Everyone here has the questions you should ask him Print this up and take it to him if you have to it will help in your decision Sorry could not really help and everyone reacts differently to meds so ask a doctor

bywena

This is an old post, but oh well........

Uhm, each person is different. Some people, for example, can take rhisperadol and some cannot. This is true for all medicines. Individual chemistry varies.

For me, trileptal and klonapin work, but not much else.Lithium gave me dehydration, weight gain, hormonal issues and motor agitation along with thryoid problems. Rh'pdl--I cannot walk with a pill and even with cogentin, feel comatose with it. The dust of rhspdl makes me walk drunk, even with cogentin. However, my co worker takes it and she's fine with it. Go figure.

I can't Tegretol. It makes me aggessive. There is one oxygen molecule difference between that and Trileptal. Now TRPL DID create dry, itchy skin but it subsided.

Talk with the psychiatrist about side effects. Drink water with lithium. LOTS. Be careful of antipsychotics. Eat meals after some medicines.

Like I said, speak to the p-doc and do some research.

Lamictal been on it for 13 yrs works great
topamax great for migraines not sure about BP
Risperdal just made me extremely sleepy.
Abilify worked for paranoia but I eventually got immune
Saphris- made me worse but really helped with sleep.