Prozac & Depakote ER for Bipolar? BPD? Quitting Effexor XR.

[CA 2 NJ]

Hello again. I have been here a lot in the past few weeks as I've been trying to find that magic combo to help me with my Bipolar I (Mixed, Agitated Episodes with Ultra-Rapid Cycling), Borderline Personality Disorder, Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

I am currently going off of the Effexor as I could only tolerate for 3 weeks as every day I am in bed longer than I was the day before. Now I'm in bed about 18 hours a day. And most of the time I'm sleeping.

I only got up to 75mg of Effexor and was there for 2 weeks after spending 1 week on 37.5mg. So as of today I am taking 5mg of prozac in the morning and 37.5mg of Effexor at bedtime for a week, then going to halve the Effexor and continue with the Prozac for a week in hopes that I am able to get off this nasty stuff before I am to travel cross-country in the beginning of June.

Once I'm off the Effexor, I plan on staying on Prozac at 5mg (if it's effective, 10mg if not) as I have had Prozac throw me into a bad raging, manic episode before (along with Geodon). But that was without the Depakote.

So I am wondering if anyone who has Bipolar Disorder or Borderline Personality Disorder has had success with such a small dose of Prozac while taking a mood stabilizer (not an anti-psychotic). I just don't want to get manic again.

I also take 3mg of Xanax XR which seems to work well and 50-100mg Seroquel at bedtime (which I'm hoping to stop, but not sure how). Would Trazodone be a better alternative for sleep? As Lunesta and Ambien no longer work for me.:(

Does anyone have any suggestions as I am in between psychiatrists and have spoken with my General Doctor. He is the one who has me on what I am taking now. So I'm looking to those who may have actual experience in hopes of some information which may be of help.

I really hope there's someone out there who can help as I don't want to have to cancel my trip. It's already been put on hold since last November because I've been too messed up to go anywhere.

Thanks for listening... well reading.:)

Hugs,
CA 2 NJ

[Erica U]

I took trazadone for a while and I think it helped me sleep. Also don't get down on medicines because they are classified as "anti-psychotics" as most medications which are mood stabilizers are also anti-seizure and anti-psychotic. Don't let a classification bias you. Another thing I noticed was that often excessive tiredness was really a symptom of my depression and not from medication. Now that I've found a combo that works (effexor and lamictal) I feel better and am no longer super sleepy. If you are still taking depakote that is a medicine that really made me tired. I'd spend about 20 hours a day in bed and stopped going to school. They diagnosed me with chronic fatigue but it was the bad medication combo and depression.

[Janelle]

Erica, May i ask what doses you are on of each? I just returned from the doctor and I had been on 75mg of effexor only. Now I'm being perscribed 150mg (over the course of the next couple weeks)in addition to the Lamictal. I have had so much sadness for so long and truly hope to find the light at the end of the tunnel with this new Rx. Great to hear you're not as sleepy- I'm CONSTANTLY sleepy...

[coer2lesprit]

I was prescribed Epival or (Divalproex) to even my moods and then Wellbutrin to help me with the overwhelming depression that Epival does not address in any way...it is only a mood stabilizer.
I have had so many problems with anti-depressants that I almost refused to try one again. Every time I tried one, in the past, and before I was diagnosed as BP, I became instantly psychotic or mixed state; uncomfortable. However, I realized that all of the anti-depressants I tried dealt with serotonin and BP's need anit-depressants that are DOPAMINE related. I don't know the medical terms, in any case.....I found that the Wellbutrin SR WAY better and you must start it slowly.....I think effexor may be the same thing but I am not sure!
Must google that.

[maria]

Hi. I have been on depakote and ability for a while now and they were working FABULOUSLY for me. I am now depressed (I guess my hormones and my age-38-could be the culprit)and am trying to find a new medicinal "cure-all". I am taking 1000mg of depakote and 30mg of abilify and have just started prozac-20mg a day. I hope it works. Folks, I know you know what depression is like and I'm willing to try anything.

So far, I feel a little drowsy and like I'm like underwater, somewhat. Has anyone else had success with this(i.e. has anyone else taken these drugs in tandem?)? God bless you, Maria