Bipolar and running out of options
 

Depakote gave me thin hair, dizziness, and made me constantly hungry.
I'm not allowed lithium due to my history of OD.
I've just started Carbamazapine and it's giving me a rash on my chest and difficulty breathing. What do I do next?

Are there any more mood stabilisers for me? I'm from the UK.
Do I stop the C. now? My psych is away till Tuesday.

(Just on the phone to out-of-hours GP)

Check out thise site. Seems like you have a lot of other options, actually. Ever try med combos? Sometimes a mood stabilizer and an anti-psychotic work, sometimes mood stabilizer and anti-depressant combo. It really depends on your body and how your moods swing.

I'm having a problem with my meds, I'm really running out of anti-depressants to try. I think there are only five left, and they're one's I have never been acquainted with before as far as other people I know taking them. Still got quite a few mood stabilizers to try, but I'm fine with sticking with 200mg of Lamictal for a while. It took me so long to get up to that dose. I'd be straight up pissed if it went bad on me, which I think it is because I'm manic as hell right now :3

P.S.: I love the hopping toast in your signature. Cute!

Thank you!! I only have minute but I did manage to see the out-of-hours doctor. He didn't want me to come straight off the meds so he's reduced my dose down to 200mg from 400mg and has advised I see my psychiatrist on Tuesday.

Do you still have the rash? How long have you had the rash? Can you describe the location of the rash, possibly if it started on mucous glands [such as inside your mouth, on your tongue, or unspeakable areas]? Can you also tell what color the rash is, if it has spread?

Honestly, sometimes psych meds will give you a rash. But I did some research for you, and there is the chance of Stevens-Johnson syndrome with mood stabilizers, especially Lamictal. And with Tegretol [the name brand of your med, although you probably knew], Stevens-Johnson syndrome does happen, although very rarely compared to meds like Lamictal [has what's called a "black box" warning], so your doc may have not mentioned it. I'm not sure a lot of doctors even know about the connection.

I don't mean to scare you, cause it could just be your run-of-the-mill psych med rash. If so, topical cortizone [spelling?] cream should help out. But Stevens-Johnson syndrome, you need to harass your Psychiatrist and possibly go to the ER [they may be better at diagnosing it], especially if you bring up the connection between Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and how it is a very rare side effect for the Tegretol you're on. I don't mean to scare you, but Stevens-Johnson is life threatening in the long run [ie: If you've had the rash two weeks or more]. Keep a definite eye on it, and if you get more symptoms listed on WebMD.com from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, go to the ER.