I was just diagnosted with Bipolar NOS after going to my local health clinic after having rapid cycleing moods and suicidal dreams. I did not react well to Zoloft and Ritalin........both sent me into an agitated state (Mania). I was sent to a psychotherpist instead of a psychiarist. He proceeds to tell me that my type of Bipolar is the least severe type and that if I work hard he can cure me. He also said that some doctors would not diagnose me with bipolar but with aggitated depression with Narrisistic personality disorder. I have red flags going on about this head shrink........1. From what I understand Bipolar disorder can not be cured...only controled with meds and talk therapy. 2. Why is he bringing up this other diagnosis? It makes me feel like he does not know what he is doing. I am doing ok on my 1000 mg of Depakote.......it blunts my anger and agitation and makes my depressive episodes less overwhelming. Because I have no health insurance I may not be abel to afford a second opinion but I really think I need to see a specialist not some guy with a masters degree.:(

I wholeheartedly agree...find a way to get a second opinion. Beg, borrow, do what you must but if your instincts tell you to seek another's insight I most definitely wouldn't hesitate in doing so.

Well now that I have been on Depakote for over three weeks now I can say I hate it. Shure it controls my mood........but now I feel flat with no feeling at all. I want off of the Med so bad but my wife told me that she would not go back to unmedicated me.And the funny thing is on Depakote I could care less if she left me and took my kids because I have no feelings right now. I see a Psy Doc tommarow and I hope he will listen to me.........but as I have been told before Depakote is the gold standard of Bipolar meds........if that is the case I am in deep crap.

On Lamictal now for 2 weeks and things seem to be better.:)

How do you like your new Psych-Doc ?

Much better that the Doc who diagnosted me..........she could recognize right away that I was manic (it started 48 hrs after my last dose of Depakote) and was willing to keep an open mind as far as the meds are concerned. Lamictal seems like a much better fit for me than Depakote:eek: . It you think you need a second opinion it is worth it to get it.

I'm sincerely glad to hear that !!!

Take a look at the information provided on Bipolar-Disorder, provide by Andi on here, also, CK.
She, provides a wealth of knowledge on here for those of us who have the disorder.

The archives section, (the link is at the very bottom of this forum) under Bipolar Disorder, also has information that's provided, compliments of her, also.

I don't know much about Lamacil since it's relatively new. Depakote did wonders for me in the 3 years or so that I took it. I stopped to have children (you'll never have to worry about that!) and haven't needed to go back.

I'm very glad Lamacil is working.

I was going to suggest adding the zoloft or another SSRI back in to compliment the depakote, but if Lamacil isn't "blunting" you, that's much better!

If it doesn't work out, though, keep in mind that your reactions to other meds will be very different with a mood stabilizer in your system.

Good luck!