Posted by Ritch on July 29, 2002, at 9:06:38
In reply to Re: Bipolar II's and AD's, posted by Jackd on July 28, 2002, at 23:22:25
> Well first thing's first, you need to be on a mood stabilizer (or two) if you aren't on one yet.
>
> People, including me before I started, ask what exactly mood stabilizers do for you. Well with risk of sounding redundant, they balance you out, make you more controlled in action, emotion and thought, and they can really really help with anxiety and restlessness (if it stems from your mood disorder). Oh and you don't "burn" out as easily doing long tasks that involve weeks or months. That's just my experience.
>
> Lamictal would be the one of choice for milder bipolar. From the literature I've read and posts I've seen that seems to be the general growing consensus. It works good, has virtually no side effects, and has a decent AD quality.
>
> As for antidepressants... for me SSRI's are pathetically inadequate, just numbing me and making me less sharp. Atypical depression calls for atypical AD's, or so they say, and it seems to be true. I would recommend Remeron but many say it makes them feel drowsy. I would try a high dose (60-90mg) of it which is quite stimulating. Effexor is pretty effective, but it just makes a lot of people including me feel too wired, too medicated. Wellbutrin seems to have a good reputation but again, I felt it had too much of an edge to it.
>
> I've probably said far too much, but that just about sums up any insight I would have. Just remember, mood stabilizers are KEY for any mood instability. Without one you're in for a long rollercoaster ride and dissatisfaction with most meds.Hi Jack,
Oh, I have been on antimanics for 25 years now. Lithium, mostly, but recently Depakote and Neurontin. I agree with your assessment of them. Something I *hadn't* heard before is your statement--.."you don't "burn" out as easily doing long tasks that involve weeks or months." That is interesting, because that is where my ADHD and bipolar symptoms overlap the most. PLANS just never seem to get followed through on and that tends to make depression worse. "Prisoner of the present" would definitely be an accurate statement! Lamictal would probably be ideal for me especially since I have never had a full blown psychotic mania. I have had some mixed spells that came a little close though... I am keeping that one on the back burner because I am responding fairly well to what I am taking now and I fear the skin thing bigtime (even though it is quite rare). I am just taking Depakote 250mg+Klonopin .25mg with 12.5 mg of Effexor right now. When this lifts I will probably flip the Effexor back to a weaker AD at a low dose, like Celexa or Lexapro. Effexor has set off bad hypomania in the past, so it is just too powerful to take during periods of the year when I am prone to that.
Mitch
poster:Ritch
thread:114019
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020725/msgs/114140.html