Mental Health Tegretol vs Depakote, and Vraylar?

[DeFyYing]

Hey guys, new here. I have schizoaffective disorder bipolar type, and all of my meds have to be changed. I'm currently on Lithium and Zyprexa, but the Lithium is giving my thyroid a beating and the Zyprexa is messing up my prolactin and cholesterol (as well as potentially inducing anhedonia). Im scared because outside of the anhedonia I've been feeling relatively normal, so I don't know what to expect. My pdoc wants to replace my Lithium with either Tegretol or Depakote. Any experience with either of these? I was briefly on Depakote but it's been so long I forget what it was like. How are the cognitive side effects on these?

The other replacement is for the Zyprexa, and I want to ask my pdoc about Vraylar. I'm hoping that it can address my negative symptoms (anhedonia and avolition), and I like how it's activating (a little bit worried it might make my social anxiety worse though). Mad expensive however. Any thoughts on Vraylar?

 

[d1nach]

Do you have blood work for your lithium level and or showing thyroid damage?

I went off zyprexa due to weightgain and sedation. But i take lithium and depakote without issue.

 

[DeFyYing]

Yeah I got blood work done, my TSH levels have steadily been elevating for some time now. It's a shame because the Lithium really does help my highs and lows, the only side effects I get are thirst and acne. How's the Depakote?

 

[d1nach]

I get no side effects. Then again i also don't get side effects from lithium.

Is your lithium level high maybe if they bring it down your thyroid wont get messed up. You can get a lithium level with blood work as well as a depakote level.