Favorite mood stabilizers

After trying antidepressants, various antipsychotics and anti-epileptics, I have finally found that 1.5mg of risperdal and 375mg of magnesium make me feel incredible! Haven't felt this good in years :)

I used to be on lithium but it made me feel very detached, like I was watching my life behind a piece of glass. It did stabilise me but at the cost of taking my enjoyment out of life, so I thought what's the point… For the last few years now I've been on Depakote instead. I have to admit it doesn't keep me as stable but I do feel like a person again. :)

I've just started Lithium - 2 days ago. I have seroquel at night - they wanted me to have it in the morning too but I refused - I turn into a zombie! I've tried Zyprexa and it's not for me - put on way too much weight and got little benefit from it. Will see how this whole Lithium thing turns out. I'm a bit nervous! Blood tests start in a few days.

I least like seroquel, it did nothing for me except gain weight. I take zyprexa instead, much better

Seroquel 400mg 100 in the am and 300 pm. Along with 150 of lamictal at night. Just started wellabutrin 3 weeks ago not much of a change yet but so far this is what works for me.

I hated Seroquil but I love my Lamictal and Risperidone!!

I'm on 1200 mg lithium and it keeps me pretty stable, I only take seroquel when my mood is as you described, it makes me a zombie and i hate it but it slows me down to the point I can't hurt myself or anyone else so it does what's needed I guess. I've tried lots of meds I also take anti depressants but since starting on the lithium 3 years ago I've been a lot more stable. I know it feels horrible but if it helps you to stay safe and get back on track stick with the seroquel and lithium, all the drugs I've tried have some sort of negative side effect, some worse than others

I'm bipolar 1 as well; I used to take Lithium but now I take Lamictal as a mood stabilizer, and it is coupled with Abilify. I have Seroquel to take in emergencies if I start to hallucinate or something, but it is very sedating for me and I can't really take it during the day unless i absolutely need to.

I also take Abilify and it works wonders for me at keeping my moods from changing so rapidly and keeping me more balanced.

PS…do NOT take Seroquil during the DAY hours. Only take that one before bedtime.

Unless directed by your doctor to take it during the day. Some people take very low doses (in the 25-50 mg range) in the morning and afternoon hours for agitation, anxiety, and irritability. This is particularly common among people in the first few weeks of drug/alcohol detoxification.

Yes, everybody's metabolism is different. And some can take Seroquel during the day and function just fine.

I'm also on Lithium 300 Mgs morning and night and Seroquil 150 mgs at night. I do NOT get tired or feel like a zombie. But, at one point Lithium did turn me into a zombie. It turned out my levels were way too high. Otherwise it's the BEST combo out there. Just have both your levels tested. Bet one or the other is just too high. Side note: my mgs are low because I only weigh 110 pounds.

Could you adjust the time you take the medication? Sometimes that'll do the trick. But always talk to your prescribing doctor first…there may be a better solution. But it may just be your brain fighting…ya know?

Lamictal works well for me, I hated seroquel- it also made me zombie-like

Abilify works great for keeping my moods stable. I haven't been able to find another med that works as well as Abilify does for me. I'm also on Lithium and Effexor XR.