I am Bi Polar II. I recent years I have experienced long episodes of severe depression and high anxiety with occassional episodes of mild hypomania. Intermittently I would experience days of rapid mood swings. I really need support to walk through this process. I am confused and frustrated and want to quit before I even going.

August 16th -- I started on Seroquel at 25mg. At first it took a couple of hours to get to sleep but I slept longer and more soundly. I seemed to manage anxiety better. I credit the quality sleeps. Some nights I experienced leg spasms if it took more than a couple of hours getting to sleep. At first I experienced what I call a hangover -- weakness and some dizzyness that persisted through the day. Now I get to sleep a little more quickly though it still takes a good hour or so and I feel less hungover but still a little off generally.

Question -- Referencing the Canadian Pharmeacutical Blue Book, the recommended dosage schedule for Bi Polar Disorder starting at 50mg on Day 1 increasing to 300mg by Day 4. Why has my GP prescribed 25mg and kept me there for 4 weeks (by the time I see him again for a review). When I reported the hangover effect he suggested spliting the dose in half. The pill is too small to split so I ended up staying at 25mgs. My pharmacist pointed out for me the recommended dose and advised me to increase the dose if it wasn't effective at 25mg. What should I do? Who do I listen to? Why would my GP (other then the fact that he is a rookie with little experience treating BP) not follow the recommended schedule?

August 30th - I started on Lamictal @ 25mgs. Within minutes of taking it I felt dizzy, nauseous with increased anxiety-depression. Within 30 minutes I also experienced heart palpitations and shortness of breath. Within 90 minute I also experienced heart pain, dizziness, loss of balance while walking, headache with some sinus congestion and a stomach ache. Concerned I journalled the effects to keep track of how I was feeling. It is now 8 hours since I took the pill and my entire chest is aching, my breasts hurt, the headache is worse, I ache all over and I have had diarrhea since dinner (which I had no appetite for so ate very little).

Question -- are these normal side effects or is there some reason for concern? The chest pains are particularly bothersome and the headache is heading into migrain zone. The Blue Book recommended dosage schedule starts at 25mgs increasing weekely to 200mg by week 5. I won't be seeing my doctor for 2 weeks. Again why is my GP not following the schedule and again the pharmacist suggests I follow the recommended shedule. What should I do?

I had planned to go to bed early tonight but the headache and chest pains are keeping me up. I am sore all over. I am afraid to take anything for the headache or body aches because I don't know how it will interact with the Seroquel or Lamictal.

Any thoughts are appreciated.