Posted by Mitch on November 15, 2001, at 23:46:28
In reply to Boy,quiet today-? for Bipolars not on Stabilizer, posted by Krazy Kat on November 15, 2001, at 15:26:02
> Well, I can't leave 'well enough' alone. Am off Topamax as I've mentioned, dropped Prozac from 60 mg to 40 mg (have not noticed a change in the past week or so), and am up to 1500 mg Depakote.
>
> The Depakote has definitely helped, but I'm questioning:
>
> 1. How much in the long term?
> 2. What am I going to do about the sedation?
>
> The sedation didn't seem this bad at 1000 mg, but now it's almost as intolerable as it was when I took Topamax. Sleeping 12 hours at night, 3-4 hours during the day. I can't get anything done. Other side effects have increased, too.
>
> And it helped me get out of my depression, but I am still cycling with hypomania, and a lot of anxiety is back.
>
> I'm wondering if I should be on a lighter regimine (regime - which word is correct?) for awhile? And keep Depakote as a stand-by when another major depression occurs (it worked very quickly for me).
>
> Have any other Bipolars done this? Have you all found relief with something that is more of an anti-anxiety medication? Is there a med that can be taken when mania sets in, that doesn't have to be taken all the time? I'm wondering about taking a small amount of an AD, then augumenting with, I don't know, a benzo? Depakote in depressive emergencies?
>
> I'm close to chucking all the meds again and know I should stay on something.
>
> Also, considering starting a family soon, so anything "not as invasive" as Depakote would be good.
>
> Sorry, this is a really rambling piece.
>
> Thanks!
>
> - Kelly
Hi K.K.IMO, the Prozac could be *creating* enough instability (you said you were *still* cycling-I am BPII as well and SSRI's cause the WORST hypomania for me) to require 1.5G of Depakote to control. I think that you are just trapped in a Catch-22. Yes, "lighter regime is better"-bumper stickers should be issued!:-)
WHAT IF: You could get by on 10mg of Prozac and 500mg of Depakote??, AND if you are still anxious (that is if the SSRI is not *causing* the agitation) you could just add a little Klonopin??The bottom line: 12+ hrs of sleep every day-NOT good (don't care what's wrong with ya).
Mitch
poster:Mitch
thread:84344
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011113/msgs/84379.html