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Re: Add lithium/valproate/something else for t.r. dep? » Jenna S.

Posted by JohnX2 on November 7, 2001, at 19:40:44

In reply to Add lithium/valproate/something else for t.r. dep?, posted by Jenna S. on November 7, 2001, at 18:03:56


Hi Jenna,

Its my experience that a mood stablilizer will not
worsen depression. Worse case scenerio it may
"flatten" your mood, the lows are less low and
the highs are less high. I haven't tried lithium
but it is statistically a good adjunctive medication.
Sometimes for bipolar it is necessary to have
a mood stabilizer for your brain chemistry to
respond properly to the antidepressant. Depakote
maybe a little easier to try 1st because of
side effect profiles and the monitoring of organs
required by lithium.

Lamictal, of the anti-convulsants,
has a good track record of treating cylothymia and
and treatment resistant mood swings. It tends
to knock-out the lows without flattening the mood.
Good side effect profile too if dosed carefully
to avoid a rash.

good luck,
john


> My pdoc has suggested lithium or valproate to augment the bupropion I'm taking for depression. I don't know which one to try, I don't like the sound of either of them... can anyone offer opinions on what it is like to take them?
>
> I think lithium might make me more depressed, since I understood it to be more useful for mania, however my pdoc says it works well to augment antidepressants. Also I didn't know that valproate could be used for depression. I am not diagnosed with bipolar, but still I think a mood stabiliser might help me since my mental state is often apathetic and agitated at the same time. I have had very minor manic like reactions to some ADs before and to withdrawals as well.
>
> Because of the agitation I feel and generally not being able to think straight or concentrate very well, I asked if I could try Ritalin. I'll find out on Friday if he will give me that, I somehow doubt it, they don't like the idea of ADD here in the UK :-(
>
> I also asked about pramipexole, since I have never had a remission of anhedonia. I don't have much hope for getting that one either. So I will probably then have to choose between the lithium or valproate...
>
> Maybe I am being a little pessimistic about my pdoc, he is actually one of the nicer ones I've seen.
>
> Jenna


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poster:JohnX2 thread:83461
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011104/msgs/83470.html