Yes, yes! I have both RA and bipolar II. I found that, having had RA grumbling around in every joint since childhood, two weeks after commencing semisodium valproate, I had the most excruciating flare up in my life - it's been going for 8 months now, despite stopping bipolar meds. I also had to have steroids for the inflammation, and that resulted in my weighing 50 pounds heavier in 6 months. It was nice being able to wake up and not be in pain though (sigh)

So I'm now off everything, I'm fat(ter), in pain and not impressed with modern medication!

My Psych did explain that he believes there are people who are very sensitive to medication - in my case, if I'm not allergic to it, chances are I'll get horrendous side effects, whatever it is. He says I'll need to be very, very careful with anything prescribed in the future, particularly as not only can bipolar meds trigger a relapse of RA, the RA drugs can trigger mania.

Basically, life can be a catch-22 situation and I've gota live with. however, it's nice to know I'm not the only one!