I am taking Wellbutrin XL 450mg Strattera 100mg and Buspar 30mg for adhd bipolar with rapid cycling major depression and OCD Would it be a good idea to add in Prozac to handle the OCD Bipolar?

Answer 1

This question is best answered by a psychiatrist who is knowledgeable about multiple diagnoses. The point of these medications is to help us feel better. I can share my experience, but I cannot recommend specific medications, since I am not a medical doctor. I do recommend that you see both a psychiatrist for medications, and a therapist to talk about feelings. I have seen 3 psychiatrists in 13 years, and none of them want to talk about feelings except as they relate to the medications. A therapist can help you figure out what is an effect of the medication, and what is a "genuine" feeling - and sometimes it's very hard to tell between them. Medications often have mild to strong side effects at first, and sometimes in the long term. Effexor got me out of the black hole of depression, and I functioned at work, but I was so tired all the time that I had no life outside of work. My life revolved around naps. Wellbutrin has brought me out of that. As I very slowly discontinued the Effexor, however, the anxiety returned. My psychiatrist added Buspar, and I feel much better. Each person reacts differently to these medications. We each have a unique chemical marinade in our brains - and I have to be vigilant about pursuing the best solution at all times for me. I always research the doctor's information, because side effects that are bad for one person may not occur with another person. All my psychiatrists have admitted that they cannot predict the results from one patient to the next, taking the same medication or combination. What works for me may not work for other people. I have been in talk therapy since 1970, and on both meds and talk therapy since 1995. Only now, at age 57, have I finally found the emotional balance I have sought for so long, and the energy to enjoy it. Many people and efforts have helped me stick it through. The following comment was one of the biggest helps to me as I hung in there: The second step in AA is "Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity." When I first got sober (in 1984), and was no longer self-medicating, my anxiety and fears came back full force sometimes. A schizophrenic friend told me once "The 2nd step says '... could restore us to sanity,' not 'would.' Some of us have to be grateful with what we have." He had chemical swings that would bring on his paranoia, but the doctors would fiddle with the meds, and he'd come back. I've been searching for the right meds since 1995, and it's taken perseverance, talk therapy, time and some luck to get to the right combination for me. Don't give up, the miracle is just around the corner. So be vigilant, and pursue the best you can be. You are in charge of your emotional balance, be steadfast and always hopeful that you find your solution, and treasure every improvement.