In addition to the D3 therapy - have started taking the Topamax again.  It was the only thing that worked last time other than prednisone.  I went from 25mg (no side effects) to 50 mg last night and got slammed with the dopeyness.  I made the mistake of taking my dose at 6pm, it wiped me out for the rest of the night and in to today... hoping it lessens as I get used to it.  Will start taking it before bed instead of before dinner! 
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In ~2 weeks the pred taper should be done, the D3 shouled be fully ramped up, I can get my levels tested and see where I am.

I've never had to go with "dopey-max" as the lithium has always worked well for me. Sadly there is a percentage of users who have to fight through the brain willies! ;) Hope it's a short term deal and you can get back on top again.

Joe

Meh- had to stop.  Same exact deal as 3 years ago.  I wish it was different.  As soon as I took the 50 mg dose, I became short of breath all day and totally out of it.  Found this link as well:

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Seems it does happen...

Down to 40mg pred on the taper and got hit last night for the first time since starting it.  Back to the drawing board :)

Has your doc tried lithium in the past? Don't tlet the hollywood stereotype of a mouth breathing zombie scare you. I take 1200 mg a day and at that dose if I didn't tell you I was on it you'd never know. It takes a little blood work the first go round to establish what your therapeudic dose is as we all process this salt a little differently. Might be worth a shot.

Joe

I will be honest. I am 100% put off by the lithium stereotype.  There- I said it.  That said, I can no longer put off trying it I think. 

Weight gain, hazy waking hours, etc... that's what I'm scared of (as I already struggle with attention and weight) -- so..

What was your experience?

The only side effects...over 20 years of using....you pee a LOT the first 2 weeks, takes a few blood draws the first time around to set a therapeudic level....and you feel a little lethargic. Nothing a cup or two of coffee wouldn't eliminate. I was a working cop on lithium and even my beat partners couldn't tell. I refused the first time the doc suggested it too, just because of the negative mental images i had. In hind sight I could have  saved a few more years of betting my arse kicked by beasty. So believe me, i get it. :)

joe