Posted by Krysti on November 23, 2002, at 23:19:02
In reply to Re: Is there ever a normal after BP - fluffy, posted by fluffy on November 23, 2002, at 16:37:24
Sounds familiar. I'm surprised you didn't become manic until after you stopped the Paxil though. When you're bipolar, taking AD's alone tends to bring it on (which sounds like what happened with the Lexapro).
My philosophy (and I'm no expert) is to try a mood stabilizer alone first and see how you do. That's just my opinion. I wouldn't want to be on 2 meds at first at once because then it gets too confusing trying to figure out if you're not feeling right which med is causing it. Depending on how you feel on the stabilizer, you could try adjusting the dose if need be or add an AD if you become depressed.
For me, the first stabilizer I was on was Depakote. It brought me down from the manic state and completely took away my anxiety (what a relief), but ended up making me feel really blah, like I had no personality anymore. I was also having difficulties staying focused at work and I was gaining weight rapidly. My pdoc switched me to Gabitril (stabilizer) - still no anxiety and no weight gain, but I started getting depressed and ended up crying for 2 days straight. That's when we tried adding the Lexapro. It brought back some of the anxiety, but at least I wasn't depressed anymore. I think I ended up being in sort of a mixed state though - didn't feel right -couldn't concentrate at work, felt too up but not in a good way. She then said she didn't think the Gabitril was keeping me stabilized so she took me off it and the Lexapro and switched me to Trileptal (stabilizer). So far, so good. If I end up feeling depressed though, I will try adding a different AD. That's my plan anyway. I think it helps just to have a plan. My pdoc always discusses the difference between the mood stabilizers and tells me why she's choosing them which helps also. I think just being involved in your own recovery helps because you don't feel so helpless then.
The sleeping thing is very typical. I have a prescription for Ambien to help me sleep if I need it. Going without sleep can bring on mania and make cycling worse. I only use it though when I feel I need it. That has been the great thing about the Trileptal too. I take 300mg in the morning and 600mg at night. After I take the pill at night, within an hour I can't even keep my eyes open. It has been such a relief, what most people take for granted - being able to fall asleep.
I hope this helps. Keep me posted on how you're doing and don't feel bad about making it long - I find it interesting to talk to people who are going through the same thing :)
Krysti
poster:Krysti
thread:127130
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021122/msgs/129002.html