bipolar disorder

i am a 27 year old male,who has suffered from bipolar 2 for approx 15 yrs. both my mother and father both sufferd from bipolar,so i guess they passed it on to me. i have been on many meds over the years with without much success. the worst part of my illness is the depressive phase which normally lasts for over a year before i begin to pick up.
when i do pick up it only lasts for aproxx 3 to 4 months before i go hyper followed by depression,at the moment i take lithium which i have been on for the past 10 years,i also take venlafaxine and lamical.this combonation is having very little efect in keeping me stable.i have tried ect without success,and while i am writing this i am once again experincing the familar symptems of another relapse coming,but although i find it very difficult even hopeless at times,i do not give in to this illness.anybody else who is having a tough time hang in there,there are many meds which could help,life is difficult with this illness but you can with help have a good quality of life
gaz

      thanks for your reply ami,i am not doing so good,i am also having problems with my pychatrist dont think i have spelled that correctly.i been having problems with her for a while now mainly because of my meds, also i have had to fight for any treatment eg ect it took a long time and plenty of effort on my behalf till i got it.i made an official complaint yesterday because she will not see me for nearly 2 weeks and with me about to relapse i need to see her as quick as possible,just wondering if anybody else is having trouble or had trouble with there pychatrist and what you done,any advice

 thanks gaz 

             thanks  again for your response ami,i am from england and the best time for me to chat is in the evenings.

 gaz