Posted by Cam W. on January 30, 2000, at 22:01:33
In reply to Re: mood stabilizers, posted by Noa on January 30, 2000, at 19:49:03
> I am on lithium, which was added just about a month and a half ago. I, too have frequent cycles of major depression on top of more residual, chronic depression. Lithum is one of six meds in my medical "soup". The others are Effexor XR, Ritalin, Serzone, Synthroid, and Cytomel.
>
> > 1) what are the side effects of the mood stabilizers that some of you have tried?
>
> Side effects of lithium, for me, are need to urinate frequently, and thirst. These are annoying, but I am bearing with it.
>
> > 2) are they numbing, or do they just quiet the pain?
>
> Not at all numbing. It seems to prevent me from toppling over the edge, moodwise, but I feel my feelings.
>
> > 3) has anyone who has found an ssri apathy-inducing tried a mood stabilizer?
>
> On Prozac (and somewhat, on Paxil) I couldn't cry even when I wanted to. This is definitely not the case with lithium.
>
> > 4) Can Wellbutrin be mixed with a mood stabilizer?
>
> Don't know.
>
> > 5) Everything sedates me -- I feel my best when I have Klonopin, Prozac, and a heavy hit of caffeine in my system. Are all of the mood stabilizers sedating?
>
> I don't find the lithium sedating. However, it potentiates the sedating effects of another med I am on, serzone, and I am sure it would do the same for any other med with sedating effects.
>
> > 6) I can not tolerate blurred vision, even for a short time.
>
> No blurred vision for me on lithium.
> >
Lynn - 1.Since there are 6 mood stabilizers being used, all with different side effects question #1 would be too hard to answer. Find out which one your doctor is considering and ask him why he chose that particular one.2. In general, mood stabilizers cut off the highs and lows of emotion, so that in a way is numbing, but if you mean making you a zombie, not usually, unless your dose is too high or it causes profound drowsiness in you.
3. Yes, but sometimes SSRIs can induce manic episodes (3.8% with Prozac), but they do this much less then the tricyclics (TCAs). SSRIs are considered the drug of choice in bipolar depression and now many doctors are giving Wellbutrin as an option to them.
4. Yes, Wellbutrin can be used with the mood stabilizers, safely and effectively. Some people have complained of Wellbutrin's activating properties making them anxious.
5. Some of the mood stabilizers are sedating, especially at the start of treatment, but most people's body adjusts to this within the first month. Sedation occurs especially when mood stabilizers are combined with medications that also cause sedation.
6. Some mood stabilizers can cause blurred vision. Be sure to tell your doctor of this and he will probably give you one that won't cause this reaction.
I have never taken mood stabilizers, so hopefully those who have, like Noa, can give you more advice than I have. Good luck - Cam W.
poster:Cam W.
thread:20137
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000128/msgs/20150.html