Is this the best it gets?

Mood problems (and more) have been my constant companions since my teens.  Finally, eight years ago, I was put on medication--first for depression and then for BP2 (Lamotrigine, Effexor, Lithium, Risperdal, Clonazepam).  Still, I am rarely symptom-free.  On good days, I may feel only worried, incompetent, unworthy, and fatigued.  On bad days, it's either depression, nasty hypomania, or a mixture of both.  On and on it goes, medication and all, with rarely a break between.  

My pdoc has experimented with various combinations of meds, but none has really made an appreciable difference.  I'm getting tired of hoping for an improvement only to find that nothing works.

On the non-pharmaceutical side, the usual therapies (CBT, DBT, etc.) require more focus and persistence than I can muster.  (I have ADD.)  I don't seem to be able to keep my mind on the various techniques whenever I need to call on them.

The question:  Are some people just condemned to drag through life, without any realistic hope of relief?

[ILADVOCATE]

Someone else could discuss CBT. Its worth trying. As for new treatments on the links page is one that has mood stabilizers that are FDA approved medications but used off label as mood stabilizers. There's a fair amount out there and if things aren't working out you could ask about some of those (Topomax (topamax), Trileptal, Lovaza which is FDA approved for anti-cholesterol purposes but as it works in the same manner as fish oil used experimentally as a mood stabilizer). The Phase II study antipsychotic agent I am on glycine is not approved as a medication yet (and has not been studied as a mood stabilizer, I need a mood stabilizer as well) but all of the medications I mentioned are and in the U.S. doctors and psychiatrists can prescribe any medication for off label purposes. If you have been through the standard mood stabilizers without good results and your psychiatrist is not aware of them ask about a referral to a mood disorders specialist who would know more.

[adel_ezz]

you are saying glycine is not approved as an MS like the rest of the AP's, but i've assumed that it is an off-label MS for bipolars like abilify and seroquel. Being a 3rd generation might help her in this noisy combo. He is taking lithium in addition to lamotrigine which is more than enough. I wonder why he is adding an AD effexor it looks like a salad dressing to me. People are put on MS in order to get rid of their AD. In any case it seems he hasn't found the right combo. But struggling 8 years to find it is a lot of time, unless he found it before then missed it as usual. My advise is to consult another pdoc too. Further as for AD i heard for bipolars: effexor, lexapro and welbutrin are tolerated, is this so ?? from your experience
ezz  

[ILADVOCATE]

Actually glycine is an antipsychotic agent in Phase II FDA study. Its not an approved medication. I mention it only out of interest though some psychopharmocologists might be willing to use it for someone who has not responded to or can't tolerate side effects of current antipsychotics, including Clozaril which is the category I am in. It has no usage in studies as a mood stabilizer and I require a mood stabilizer as well. You can read through my journal entries for more information or pm me if you wish. Your advice is good and I didn't mean to confuse anyone. Sorry.

[irishwriter]

god i hope not! i too have travelled through most of the meds you mentioned and more and still haven't found the right combo. have not given up hope as yet though (after thirty years!) and am hoping pdoc and i will eventually get it right for me! i know the lows are so low it is difficult to keep going and most days i don't leave the house (absolutely unable, not wanting to meet people, no motivation etc.) but am very lucky pdoc is so good and i have faith that he wont give up on me so am trying not to give up on myself if that make sense! hope this helps you. hope you feel better soon.