Hi, MaineMom,

Good news about getting some sleep!
I am on two meds that are not approved for bipolar. They help me a lot. Try not to pay too much attention to what others on the internet are saying about their reactions to meds.

After two weeks on Gabapentin, my anxiety was eased.
After a month more, my depression lifted a tiny bit.
My psychiatrist calls this a third line mood stabilizer that he does not use much in his practice. Still, he knows it works for me.

Keep a spread sheet or a mood chart of some kind to help you keep track of
1 medications
2 sleep
3 side effects
4 symptoms

You can google "mood chart" for some on line or make your own so you can keep track of your progress and bring the chart to show the psychiatrist at the next appointment.

Mari