Oh gosh, i just read the most commonly used medications for bipolar, and I just realized my new doc gave me so far the best meds for my mixed bipolar, 200mg lamictal, 230mg of Geodon, BUT i just read geodon is given mostly after other meds dont work....and i have noticed it has passed enough time in order for the geodon to work and made me feel better, well I am not better, i might even be worse!!
Now what is next? If geodon is apparently one of the best medicines for what Im going through, what will help me, I am at wits end, I feel I cant deal with this anymore, are there any other meds to finally stabilize me, or will I have to live like this forever, I dont think I could live like this much longer.
Any input? I will really appreciate any input you might have.
Angie L 
Maybe the problems stems from the fact your psychiatrist read the same article. This is a prime example of treating the illness with medication and not you and the symptoms you are having/experiencing. Yet most psychiatrists seem to try get you to what is called a therapeutic level of any medications you may be on.
The only issue they should be concerned with is that they don’t over prescribe any medications and the contra indications each medication has with each other. So back to what is the perfect medication for you?
Geoden was tagged as the next new wonder drug for bipolarism…personally I’m not seeing or hearing that. The side effects to watch for that seems to be most common are crewing/ratcheting of the inner month and a hunched forward shoulders in. The mouth action can be countered with a medication called cognition if you’re not already taking it.
The two stabilizers you rarely hear about that do have a track record are trileptal and Neurontin. Both have and continue to work as well as Depakote. Depakote is being prescribed less due to issues with pancreatitis and watching blood levels.
Talk with your doc about trying the above and discontinuing what your on if you don’t feel its working. I can’t stress this part enough….you have to be totally honest with your psychiatrist with what’s really going on and also don’t be afraid to ask if their treating the illness or you. There is a big difference. There is no one medication concoction that fits all, it’s a process of tweaking this and that to make you as an individual better.
Good luck Angie
Eric,
Thank you for taking the time to answer my post, I justr received Just Me's post too, it couldnt come in a better moment since I am feeling so.......I can't think of the right word, helpless but something stronger than that, can't describe it.
I did talk to my pdoc and like Just me mentions I told him i felt like a zombie and too drugged, I really don't like that feeling, and besides was not helping, I just went to my appointment with him this past wednesday and incredible but could barely talk to him since i started crying uncontrolably as soon as I entered his office. I did tell him about not liking geodon, about feeling extremely depressed with suicide thoughts and that the feelings of restlessness, extreme anguish and anxiety are just panicking, it makes me afraid I will always feel like this and that is difficult to live with....the klonopin doesnt work for the anxiety but well, that is what he is giving me....he did increase my lamictal from 200mg to 300, and changed Geodon to Abilify, first week 5mg, afterwards 10mgs, i don't know how long this will take to work, i hope i start feeling better soon, but at the moment i feel so lonely, so helpless and anguished that i take klonopins to sleep during the day so I don't feel that loneliness and anguish that consumes me everyday.
Here where I live, my only outing is the gym, which as you probably can imagine sometimes i don't feel like going even if my body feels it needs it, my mind just isnt into it.....I am disabled, don't work (honestly, with what I am going through i dont think i would be able to work at the moment) I don't have any friends and have no one to go out with, which i think increases my depression.
I just turned 40 and feel I am loosing the best yrs of my life, isolated in my room watching the ceiling. I had never looked as good in all my life since i was always overweight, i had a gastric bypass 2 yrs ago, and i ve lost all the weight.....i thought this would make me feel better...oh surprise, even if i look much better it didnt !
Please help, I am at my wits end and stupid thoughts come into my mind all the time......thanks Angie L