Are there any other meds for bipolar?

[hppytrails]

I have bipolar and schitzoaffective disorders. I've been on lithium and it made me a drooling idiot, wellbutrin made me violent, depakote and seroquil caused extreme weight gain, complicating my other health problems. I have a heart valve problem and back, knee and hip/pelvis injuries from a car accident.  My psychiatrist said I had to stay on the depakote and seroquil because there is nothing else out there for me, but I don't believe that.

[hppytrails]

Thank you for responding. I am looking for a new doctor since I've moved to another state, but I wanted to find out for myself if there were other drugs that would work for me. I was never really impressed with his manner anyway, he wouldn't hear me out when I had problems with side effects or dosing. He just said here take these.

[ILADVOCATE]

No there are many other mood stabilizers. Some are even in common use such as Lamictal. Wellbutrin being an anti-depressent can sometimes worsen mania in bipolar. Lithium is highly effective but for some people can cause cognitive blunting and sedation. With antipsychotics, the newest ones Abilify, Fanapt and Saphris have less of a potential of weight gain but as they can change heart rhythms you would have to ask your psychiatrist if they could be used safely if you have heart valve problems. This is a complete list of mood stabilizers although it should be noted some are FDA approved medications but still off label for bipolar:
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/moodstabilizers.htm
If your psychiatrist is not familiar with any other medications it might be worthwhile to ask for a referral to a psychopharmocologist (as they are medication specialists)but there is definitely more out there that might work.