Anyone else taking antidepressants?

Hi, I am new to this forum.
I was diagnosed with depression at a young age and was given Zoloft by my, then, GP. This drug made me feel great. I was "high" for months. It wore off though and my sophmore year I was diagnosed with bipolar. During that time my psychiatrist put me on a lot of diffrent meds including antiseizer drugs.For quite a while I have been on antidepressants along with Lamictal. There have been stressful times in my life where I have needed a med change. For a short period I was on Lithium which worked well but my GP took me off of it. ( Probably should have consulted with a psychiatrist).  I was on Paxil then I was put on Lexapro. My last manic episode was due to the stresses of a new job. I had been up for 3 days very depressed along with racing thoughts, after this I needed to see a specialist.
My new psychiatrist decided it would be best to take me off of the Lexapro because antidepressants can cause manic episodes. During and after being weaned off I have been depressed and I have never, never had such anxiety. My doc put me back on a very low dose, 5mg, along with Klonopin to help out with the anxiety. Is anyone else taking antidepressants along with other meds for bipolar?
Thanks for taking the time to read this!
Mary

[Venora Moonwind]

when you are bi polar it is importtant to take a mood stabilizer AND and anti depressant.If youare only on one or the other you will go to opposite. I for example am on zyprexa(for mania) and celexa (for depresson) This combo is working beautifully for me and I have been stable for 8 years now. talk to your doc about what you have talked about here. And although I am not a doc just an old bi polar it seems you need to ber on a combo like this.
Are you seeinga therapist as well. It is so important to be in therapy as well as the meds. Therapy will give you the tools you need to deal with and overcome bi polar. Like being able to handle the stress of a nes job like you have going through.Anything new and unknown is stressful anf the therapy is soooo good tohelp you deal with everyday stresses so they dont knock you for a loop.
alos dont forget to keep a journal
   diet 6 small meals a day fruit, veggies, and grains. 3oz of lean protiens
NO caffiene or sugar. this aggravates bi polar and makes it worse.
exercise for a least 30 misn a day even if its just a brisk walk. this will rasie the seritonin and lift your mood and stabilize you somewhat.
Hang in there and never ,never, never give up.PM anytime if you want to talk I will be there to listen.
Love
Venora

[marv7]

Verona,
Thank you for your quick responce. I am seeing  a wonderful therapist. The reason for my question is that my psychiatrist wanted me off the antidepressant because it can cause mania. I am quite confused because other people with bipolar are on antidepressants. I also take 200 mg of Lamictal as a mood stablizer.
Getting off of the antidepressant was the worst thing ever! My anxiety is so bad!
Do you get manic at times?
How does it feel?
The reason I ask is because it is such a rarity for me. I mainly suffer from depression and anxiety. From what I have heard there are different kinds of mania. The last time it happend it was trigged by stresses at work, I had to quit my job. When I become manic I have racing thoughts which causes insomnia, and depression. There have been a couple times when I have been really happy, maybe a little hyper, could that be mania as well?
Thanks again for your responce!
Mary

[Venora Moonwind]

Its sounds like it could be mania. I am soooo stable now on the zyprexa and celexa.Now whenI was manic I would never sleep. I spent lost of money I didnt have. I had the racing thoughts and I was sooo wonderfully creative  I would craft all kinds of things that i woujld never finish cause I couldnt stay focused on anything for very long. I also got paranoid schizo and I saw bugs like out of the corner of my eye. I would yell for hubby to come kill them but of course they werent there LOL (I can laugh now but it wasnt funny then.)  I was as bi polar as you could be.NOw I am so normal I still have emotions but with the extremes I used to have.
It might be that the meds you are on just arent the right meds. also it could be you havent been on them long enough to take effect. It take 4- 6 weeks for them kick in fully. Keep[ coming here and we will help all we can . This is great place to come to and talk things out.
Love Venora

[Jikan]

Namaste,
I'm bipolar I and take remeron along with lamictal to control my bipolar symptoms, as well as valium for anxiety.
This is my most recent medication cocktail after many years and seems to have stabilized me.
Don't give up on your doctor. He's probably doing the best he can and many of these medications take several weeks to build up a blood level.
I'm sure you'll find a medication or combination which will help you. Just be patient and try to deal with the bad days as best you can.
You can also look at alternatives/supplements to medications such as exercise(yoga is especially good), a proper diet, accupunture, etc..