Why do we need to take Anti-Psychotics for Cyclothymia - What the EFF?

[IndieMeg]

30 years ago I was DX with depression, then I started feeling like I was ADD a few years thereafter.
15 years ago was given script for Prozac which worked okay and not fabulously, but that was then.
4 years ago was given Pristiq for depression and loved, loved, loved that until I lost my medical insurance for two years.  
9 months ago was being treated for ADHD - Predominantly ADD and given a script for Adderall which didn't help and 225 mg/day of Effexor.  Effexor is okay - not all that though.
Taken off of Adderall 2 months ago and told I am not ADD, but Bi Polar Lite/soft and that Seroquel was what I needed to take with Effexor.  Started having really swollen neck glands, thirsty, hungry, wound up and dumped the *h*t down the toilet.  Was given Abilify since that is a "Man of all Seasons" RX and have swollen neck glands, really thirsty, still hungry, so keyed up that I feel like I can jump out of my skin and cannot sleep.  I am a hot mess for sure.

Did not take Effexor for two days now and Abilify for one.  Want to throw the Abilify down the other toilet now. LOL

What the Eff should I do?

Peace and love,
IndieMeg    

[CRSeaside]

Hi Meg. You may want to discuss Zonisimide instead of Depakote which can cause weight gain.
I'm not on it now but had good luck w Seraquel & Zonisimide at night.

[IndieMeg]

Thank you, Breakdance202 for getting back with me about the side effects you had with Abilify like restlessness and wanting to jump out of your skin.  I hope you have found a good fusion of RX you like now that seem to help you a tremendous amount.  

Hopefully we will communicate on this site down the line again soon.

Peace and love,
Meg
  

[IndieMeg]

Thank you so very much, ILADVOCATE for responding back to me.  You are giving me some fabulous advice and information that I am going to utilize and talk with my Psychiatrist about ASAP.

If I get on an anti-convulsant/mood stabilizer like Depakote or Lithium will she take me off of Effexor and Abilify and just have me on one - say Lithium?

Until then, I just want to take my non-threatening and easy going Effexor until she switches up my meds to Depakote for example.  

Peace and love,
Meg

[breakdance202]

When I was on abilify a long time ago I kind of felt the way you feel, with the whole restless, crawling out of my skin feeling, and it gave me a really annoying eye twitch. Lol. I'd talk to your doctor about other options.

[ILADVOCATE]

  Abilify is FDA approved as a mood stabilizer. However some people are unable to tolerate it although each person responds differently to each medication.  You seem to have difficulty with side effects of many medications. Has your psychiatrist tried some common mood stabilizers such as lithium, Depakote and Lamictal and other known options? It would be worthwhile to ask them what options they are willing to consider.
   If at any time they say they don't have any more specific ideas ask if they would consider it might be worthwhile to find a referral to a mood disorders specialist. Also a psychopharmacologist is a type of psychiatrist who is a medication expert and would be familiar with all known options including medications that are FDA approved but used off label for bipolar. At all times work with any treating psychiatrist and work within their guidance before changing or adjusting any medications you are taking.