Am in the same boat, am exhausted of the meds for me. Trial and error, but I do find relief so I dont jump off a bridge. There are some good Bi-Polar meds out there with little side affects for me but they effect others differently.
I do recommend a good psychiatrist, one that you can work frequently with as at first its difficult to find that right cocktail of meds.
But there is relief
WN

welcome back

I have heard some not so great things about Psychiatrists. That they just want to fill you with meds and I don't want to be put on a bunch of different things. It worries me.

Welcome back Lottie......Psychiatrists are experts in psych meds there's no doubt about it

Experts are good to see.... I see that you don't want to be on any meds.... I imagine to some degree we all wish things were different and that we didn't need them

I don't think the psychiatrists just want to fill you with meds... They want to help you to control the disorder and meds are what works for that.... It's helping with our brain chemistry when it's 'outa wack'

If we do need them though they can sure make life a whole lot better.....

Big hug.... xo

Welcome back Lottie. I was in denial for over a decade and now I wish I got the correct treatment much earlier. It took hitting rock bottom. Now I am gradually going up on the mood stabilizer/anticonvulsant lamotrigine. I am also concerned about all the meds and the side effects. Either the lamotrigine or baclofen is causing me to have low blood platelets, which are involved in blood clotting. I'm on low doses of both right now, so I do have concerns that I may have to go off 1 of these 2 essential medications because of severe side effects if that develops. My doctor is concerned about the low blood platelets. We will be monitoring them once a month. I'm still waiting for a phone call for an in-home blood test. I know it's scary, but if this all works it will be worth it. We are both at similar points in terms of acceptance and treatment. Let's hang in there together.

I also was in this group years ago and left and have just came back. I am really feeling depressed right now. I'm working from home now (our whole company is working from home) and I do like working from home, but I am just really feeling down right now. I need to get back on my meds. I went off for awhile.

Keep looking for a solid partnership with a pdoc as best you can. I finally found a good collaborative partnership and it’s been a good thing.

Welcome back. We understand....

Thanks everyone.

I went to my PCP yesterday and talked to him about my meds. He kept me on seroquel. Adding depakote and taking me off my antidepressant. I am already feeling woozy from the depakote. I hope this won't always be the case. I am trying at least and I feel like that's a good thing and a step in the right direction. I hope I can keep it up.