Hello, new to this. I was diagnosed as bipolar in 2004 after a diagnosis of severe depression, anxiety and PTSD. I am not sure if all of that is summed up with the bipolar diagnosis, or I have all of them. Anyway, I have been hospitalized 3 times and over the last 5 years have been in almost every psych med know. The guinea pig trials have been often debilitating. After a long road of ups and downs I think I am doing pretty well... but it's a HUGE cocktail.
I take Lamictal, wellbutrin, klonopin, geodon, vistaril, and now vyvanase (although strattera helped my moods a lot better plus the ADHD symptoms it caused breathing problems at 80 mg a day). I have severe insomnia and a lot of meds work opposite on me, hence making me a 'problem child' for any pdoc I've had. So the new combo seems to be doing well, but I would like to take a smaller dosage of the strattera as well. Don't see pdoc until 10/27. I also was on cymbalta about 6 months ago and it helped tremendously with my depressive states, body pain and PMS (which is terrible. Have almost left my husband every month for the last 6 months, one week before my period). Pdoc stopped cymbalta because it was making me a little 'too' happy.(figures). Ended up in hospital after stopping it. Just wondering if anyone out there has had such a large cocktail to remain stable and if anyone knows if adding a lower dose of strattera and a small dose of cymbalta to the mix would cause trouble. I admit I have been taking the 40 mg of strattera every other day even though pdoc switched me to vyvanse. Am taking that as well but just makes me a little moody when it wears off. (as did adderall). I also was diagnosed with 'supposed' chronic fatigue syndrome earlier this year due to chronic pain and fatigue. I am torn on this diagnoses as my mental issues could exhibit the same symptoms. (although they never have before) Also unfortunately I also suffer from akathisia, sometimes terribly and antihistamines make it worse. So far Vistaril hasn't been too bad... but I am sock of feeling my insides are going to jump out... very difficult to sleep. Restless leg is an issue and I haven't even brought that up with reg doc because of who knows she will do for that. More medicine? Ugh more.. I was severely obese at one time and am half of that weight now and so when a med (whether it's helping or not begins to show weight gain I will stop it because gaining weight makes me more depressed). CALGON TAKE ME AWAY!!!
Sorry so long, just wanting some input that might help when I see pdoc next. I appreciate any opinions. Thanks for reading my novella. : )