What to do now: suggestions?

[Allegra_Morgan]

Hi, I'm new here so I don't exactly know how to phrase this question.  But, I feel like I have tried everything and the medications either are ineffective or I can't tolerate them--usually due to dizziness but sometimes mania or excessive fatigue.  (Does anyone know how to treat dizziness without meclizine, by the way?)

I was diagnosed bipolar II with panic disorder about two years ago--I'm currently 21--and since have been on the following medications:
Lithium, Lamictal, Depakote, Trileptal, Rispderdol, Geodon, Abilify, Zyprexa, Seroquel, Cymbalta, Prozac, Paxil, Effexor, Wellbutrin, Remeron, Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, Strattera, Provigil (not necessarily in that order.)

The Cymbalta was the only thing that alleviated the panic, but it made me manic, so I'm now not allowed to take any more antidepressants.  And I am currently enrolled in a very rigorous academic program which means I simply cannot sleep more than 10 hours a day, and I really need to be at full cognitive functioning.

I have seen a million doctors, and I have had every medical test done--every possible vitamin deficiency has been checked all to no avail.  I exercise 4 times a week and get 8 hours of sleep a night.  I eat healthfully and stay on a schedule.  And I still feel awful about 95% of the time.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

[zzzmykids]

Maybe a psychopharmacologist? Maybe a Chiropractor Kinesiologist....one totally certified, mines in Vegas. My psychiatrist has allowed me to go off antidepressants because I have such awful side effects from them. I take xanax....only about once a week midday to sleep and level out. I take vallium once a day at night to  help me sleep without the vertigo. Through the chiropractor I take one for depression and the other for helping to wire my brain correctly, it is cortisol which he believes I have been low on since I was eleven. I get from psych, or internist or chiropractor blood tests for lithium levels, liver count, white blood cells, toxins and my thyroid...both tests for the thyroid. I agree with corlenbelspar and the usuals that give incredibly good info.
Talk to your doctors and if no satisfaction try new ones. Luckily my new son in law is  a pharmacy tech about to become a phamacist.  Good luck.

[paranoid_cataclysm]

There was a doctor on the Stephen Fry documentary on bipolar disorder 'The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive' who swore by controlling her BP entirely through diet with things such as omega 3 but again it's like you pointed out and I said about the omega 3.  Interesting documentary at any rate, Stephen Fry interviews several people he knows with the disease and tells you his own experiences with it.

Vertigo I usually just wait it out, sorry I couldn't really help much there. =(

[Allegra_Morgan]

Thank you so much for your suggestions.  I am looking into the Omega-3 thing, although I haven't seen established studies of its efficacy yet.  And of course I'll keep my eyes open for new things as they come out.

I have seen multiple psychiatrists, including a psychopharmocologist, and none of them have particularly helpful suggestions, although they are very good doctors.  Mirapex has been suggested as a possibility, but most of the other options focus on finding what works (Seroquel, Depakote) and then just "dealing with" the side effects, like drowsiness and weight gain, with other stimulants.  I am hesitant to take medications to counteract side effects, because all medications have side effects of some kind and that's a rather slippery slope.

Do you have any suggestions on how to cope with the vertigo? I think I could tolerate many of the medications if there were a way to control dizziness, but I haven't yet found an effective treatment (other than meclizine, which just induced mental fog and drowsiness).

Best,
a_m

[paranoid_cataclysm]

I also heard omega 3 fatty acids might be a good supplement for BP but that the results of the studies on it are mixed and natural remedies aren't FDA regulated like they should be.

[ILADVOCATE]

As per antipsychotics, the two newest are Fanapt and Saphris but if I am right I don't think bipolar II has psychosis as part of it. If it is they are two options. The antipsychotic agent I take is still in Phase II FDA study so I don't think that would be considered although that's showing efficacy. Its not a mood stabilizer though. There are many mood stabilizers used less commonly. For example I am on Clonidine which is one although that's lesser used because it can create depression. And then there are FDA approved medications that are in experimental use for bipolar such as Lovaza (which is an anti-cholesterol medication that is a synthetic version of fish oil which does have mood stabilization properties). These are all just examples. Only a psychiatrist could make a decision as to what would be right for you. Here is a full list:
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/moodstabilizers.htm
You might need to consult with a mood disorders specialist or change to a psychopharmocologist to have medications that are FDA approved but in experimental use for bipolar considered but if nothing else has worked it would be worth it.