Posted by LostBoyinNC1 on July 27, 2002, at 21:38:57
In reply to Least likely med to cause mania? Help!, posted by hildi on July 27, 2002, at 19:12:15
> What med would be least likely to case mania? An SSRI, An MAOI, a tricyclic?
> Are bipolars better off on any specific class of a/d's? How about those who aren't bipolar, but feel BP on A/d's?
>
> I don't know what my DX is. I may be BPII, or I just may have extremely agitated/anxious depression. My doc doesn't talk about my diagnosis, even when asked, so I've been trying to figure out what I am, and whats best med for me.
> My states are such that, without meds I go from extremely disturbed, hyper, anxious beyond belief, out of my mind agitation to uncontrollable crying. Hypersensitive hell.
> On SSRI's, all of them, I have Two things that happen: 1. couch potato syndrome-no energy and don't care about anything. Total apathy. Blank mind. 2. Racing thoughts, and agitation of a different kind- mind and body is almost always in motion (even if I am not physically moving, I sort of am inside), a circular, repeating thought. A cycle of thoughts- repeating the same thing over and over. Same song plays over and over in my head- sometimes something stupid like a Barney tune- it drives me nuts. I also get hyper sometimes.
> I may have OCD and/or ADD, too.
> I just started a new SSRI and I don't think it's
> going to be any different. I feel like it's the same thing all over again. All day long today the same stupid dull mind repeating dumb thoughts. I would love to be able to feel and to think again!
> Would the heck kind of med should I try??!!
> A little while back, someone (I think) suggested Parnate or Nardil?
> Any others agree?
> Any ideas you can offer me would be greatly appreciated! Any helpful advice to share?
> Hildi
People with classic type 1 manic depression are generally advised to try to avoid antidepressants entirely and just stick with mood stabilizers, benzos and if need anti-psychotics. If an antidepressant is needed Wellbutrin SR is the preferred AD for classic manic depression. Also, ECT is very effective for depression in manic depression. ECT is effective for both the mania part and the depression part of manic depression. Ive also read that MAOIs are OK for the depressive phase of manic depression, although I dont know why.For lesser forms of bipolar or "soft" bipolar disorders you have more leeway but still might have trouble tolerating an antidepressant without a mood stabilizer taken at the same time. Wellbutrin SR would still be a good choice. If you use an SSRI, avoid Prozac cause it has an extremely long half life and if it sets you off into mania/hypomania, the stuff takes forever to get out of your system. Instead use antidepresants with short half lives like Paxil, Luvox, etc.
If you have bipolar and must use an antidepressant, Wellbutrin SR is generally the one to use.
>
poster:LostBoyinNC1
thread:113951
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020725/msgs/113971.html