There’s no way around it.
I’m going to have to get back on the Depakote.
I have been feeling manic a bit, easily overwhelmed and revved up for a few days now.
The increase of Risperdal and being on no mood stabilizer is not completely controlling my manias.
I’m going to ask my doctor if maybe I can try going on a lower dose of Depakote and maybe she could lower my Risperdal dose down back to 4mg.
I’ll still continue with the low dose of Lamictal.
I see her next week
I hope you get back to a stable time. Hugs. It doesn’t hurt to ask. I was on depakote for a while it didn’t do anything but do blood tests.
I know that feeling of defeat, in my case from my addiction to sertraline. Good luck with your next med combo.
There are a lot of different anti-manic agents, so valproate may not be the only option. For me sertraline (Zoloft) worked. More conventionally, many antipsychotics are active against mania.
-Albert.
Thanks @NotSeksoEmpirico and @roxanna
The problem is that I’m an Ultradian Cycler and there are few meds that are truly effective against these extremely rapid mood shifts.
I’ve been on all of the mood stabilizers including lithium and Tegretol.
Depakote has proven to be the best as far as mood stabilization goes.
The reason why I decided to drop it for the second time now is that it’s a big weight gainer but now I’m facing the same problem with 5mg of Risperdal.
Maybe a lower dose will solve the weight gain issue?
I’m sure that my doctor will agree.
I see her next week.
Thanks @schizornot
I may have spoken too soon.
I think that I’m seeing results finally on the increased Risperdal dose.
Yesterday no mania and today so far I’m doing well, again no mania.
There might not be a need for me to go back on the Depakote.
I’ll see how things continue to go.
I may just remain on the increased dose of Risperdal at this point.
I see my pdoc next week
ah that is great @Wave
i hope things keep getting better.
Thanks @lekkerhondje!
@Wave , I think that you are very fortunate to have an awareness of your mood swings and manic phases. I myself have no awareness whatsoever of my manias or mood swings. I’m only aware of my depressions.
This kind of thing takes time to feel the good effects. I’m glad you are doing better though. Good sign.
Have you tried increasing the lamictal? I recently saw a huge change when I went up a bit higher on it. The med alone really was a game changer for me.
No I can only tolerate 25mg right now @thomas
Anything higher makes me manic.
Have you tried Invega? I know it’s also prescribed for sza.
No I’m doing ok mood wise for now @Jonathan2
Invega didn’t agree with me.
I do better with Risperdal
I have ultradian cycling as well. I try to just live with it. When I have some ups I try to channel it into something good. When it’s down I try to give myself some slack and avoid whatever may agitate me when it’s mixed.
So you are not on meds for your mood cycling @LevelJ1?
No I’m not I just let it roll. I just try and use cbt and other coping strategies. Mostly environment and behavior strategies.
But if I have a legit full manic episode then I take aps for it to dampen it.
I did think about trying tegretol for a while but I’m managing right now.
Yeah good luck @LevelJ1
I wish you well
Same to you I hope you can get to a stable state