My mix is very large: Lithium ER (900 mg), Tegretol XR (1400 mg), Lamictal (100 mg), Geodon (160 mg), Navane (3 mg), Seroquel XR (50 mg), and Klonopin (.5 mg). I also take Ativan (1 mg) "as needed", but that is usually only a few times per week.
People on other forums have sent me PMs telling me I'm on too much. That my mix is ridiculous, etc., etc. That pisses me off because they haven't walked in my shoes. My mix happens to be side effect friendly AND reasonably priced with insurance (although I would be willing to pay a lot for meds if it meant stability). I am stable and have been for most of 3 years now. My current mix was started after 10 hospitalizations. It grew because symptoms came back. They often do in bipolar disorder. I'm at a stage where my meds are being reduced (Navane). I used to be on 10 mg, now I'm on 3 mg, with the intent of possibly eliminating it. I used to be on 150 mg of Seroquel XR and now I'm on 50 mg, although I believe that will stick around.
Taking a lot of pills is a hassle. I take my bipolar pills 3 times per day, and a lot of pills in 2 of the pill boxes (like 9 each, the third 3). I got used to it, though, and now I am just grateful for what my mix can do.
I've been on about 25 bipolar medications (that doesn't include ADs) over the last 7.5 years. Some made me worse, some gave me severe side effects (and believe me that I'm pretty tolerant). Why on earth would I try another med or revisit an old med just so that my pill boxes were emptier?
Joined: 04-09-2014