med help

[pipes_1]

Ok I've been diagnosed by several reputable hospitals as being bipolar pretty sure I am for 20 plus yrs now. My question is I still work but am starting to get in more trouble with employer for being later and later everyday relating to med sedation. I currently take symbyax 3/25mg once in evening along with lamictal 100mg once daily 1000mg fish oil and simvistantin 40mg per day for high colestoral I'm just coming off my .25mg dose of abilify we were trying to use fanapt for there is onlyone more med my doctor's telling me that we haven't tried with what could be harsh side effects like blood tested weekly and so on. Finally does anyone have a doctor whom also might listen and give med recommendation so I'm not so sedative I sleep 12-14 hrs a day. This has caused me to lose one job and I don't care to lose another. Before I try my last med I'd like to exhaust all avenues but won't be a bother if no one wants to suggest anything I've neve tried forums before don't know what to expect but if someone comes up with solution for me besides my deepest gratitude they will be rewarded. See I tried disability but could not get approved I don't have a lot of options left family is also tired of trying to help me make ends meet. Hope I get response and that someone or someone's doctor could use a little something extra? Praying and hopeful.  

[pipes_1]

Thank You to everyone and your response I was hopeful someone might relate to my question with similar meds and what they might have taken to get woke up. I forgot to mention that I also take 250mg of nuvigil in morning to stay awake. I've started on Amitriptyline in place of fanapt so far things are acting a little better I had to reduce the dosage because I felt numb all over. Will keep in touch and if anyone talks with their doctor don't be afraid to include me I'm still hopeful someone has a better solution??

[lindahand]

Over sleeping is a tough one. I do that too. I take Lamotrigine, ezertol (cholerestol med), Zeldox (Geodone in the US), and trazodone. Going down a dose on the Zeldox really helped me out.

The other thing I've heard of is some people being put on a stimulant like Concerta, Ritalin or using the antidepressant called Wellbutrin as it is stimulating.

Don't give up. I was rapid cycling so bad my moods were changing daily. I was a frantic suicidal mess. One psychiatrist told me "there is nothing more we can do" I tried another one and they switched the Wellbutrin to Trazodone and I feel worlds better. I still have some sedation but compared to what I was at - this is a picnic.

If your current doctor is at a loss, it may be time for a second opinion. The web site crasy meds (easy to find via google) has a lot of great information on it and may be able to help you discern which questions to ask your psychiatric.

[rmevans]

Did you go through the whole disability process?  Apparently no one gets approved the first time.  You have to go through the whole appeal process - 2x.  Then you will have to get a lawyer (there are a lot that are free unless you actually benefits, then they are allowed a certain percentage of your backpay.) and go to a disability hearing in front of a judge.  It is also important that you you list all of the doctors, hospitals, and therapists that you have seen in the past and currently on your application.  The SS people will contact all of them to get their notes about your treatment.  The more info they have the better.  If you current doc or therapist is willing to write a personal letter that describes the problems you have in regard to work, that is very helpful too.  
It is a long, difficult process, especially when you are feeling horrible and don't have any motivation but it is worth it.  
It took me 2 years, I had lots of doubts and had a hard time going to the effort of appealing.  I thought I was wasting my time because I figured I wouldn't get on SSD anyway.  I did though and it is such a relief to have that income and some insurance coverage through Medicare.  

I would also get a second opinion from another psychiatrist in regards to you being on your last option for meds.  There are more and more meds all the time, and one combination of meds can affect you differently than another combination.  Don't give up so easily.  I felt like I had tried everything too (and often had to switch from a great combo because of side effects I couldn't deal with).  I have found a good combo again, and am hopeful that the meds will continue to work well for me.  You never can tell what will happen in the long run :-{

[ILADVOCATE]

Yes sorry wrong link as regards mood stabilizers. This would be it:
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/moodstabilizers.htm

[113]

I'm not a professional, but there's got to be something else that you can try. I'm on Trileptal, Seroquel, Geodon, Simistatin and thyroid medication. I've been on Abilify, Lamictal, Wellbutrin and many more. It takes a long time to find the combination that a person needs. I've been bipolar for 40 years. Don't give up as it could take quit awhile to find what you need. I wish you luck and my prayers are with you.

[ILADVOCATE]

Well this is a list of currently available mood stabilizers:
http://www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/index.html
As for currently available antipsychotics they might mean that if you have tried everything the medication they would use is Clozaril (which is helpful for some people but does have a severe  side effect profile) but that would specifically be for antipsychotics but it would depend whether its use is an antipsychotic or as a mood stabilizer (which atypical antipsychotics, from Risperdal onwards) are used for as there are many options remaining as regards mood stabilizers as if they have run out of ideas they could send you to a mood disorders specialist for a consultation as regards medications that are FDA approved but used off label as mood stabilizers.