Posted by Mitch on November 7, 2001, at 23:41:55
In reply to Add lithium/valproate/something else for t.r. dep?, posted by Jenna S. on November 7, 2001, at 18:03:56
> 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.
>
> JennaHi Jenna,
I have taken both of them at different times for years for bipolar. In my personal anecodotal case Lithium did have a clearly more robust antidepressant effect than Depakote ever did. All you can do is try one and see what happens. Depakote seemed to have a better anti-anxiety effect than the lithium did however. Both of them can cause weight-gain and cognitive dulling. The lithium seemed to be worse for the *dulling* BTW. If you are stuck with these two to pick from-I would choose the lithium first and see how you tolerate it. If you are not very tolerant of it you will find out rather quickly! See if: 1) It indeed seems to *indisputably* help your depression and 2) Could I tolerate taking this for an indefinite period? If you can't say YES to both of these questions after about eight-twelve weeks on it, then consider dropping it and switching to Depakote.
Mitch
poster:Mitch
thread:83461
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011104/msgs/83489.html