Posted by wcfrench on April 7, 2003, at 0:43:54
In reply to For Charlie....., posted by Krissy P on April 5, 2003, at 23:22:27
Thanks Krissy
I don't know exactly where or what it stems from. It seemed to be different last month or the month before, I would feel a little better as the day went on and on, so I don't think it has to do with any past issues. I do remember, when I was in school, having very busy days and then cross country practice, and then coming home to "crash," so I would usually feel worse in the evenings. But I think that was mainly physical/mental reactions, and an overall pooped state of mind. Lately, this definitely seems to be medicine related. I can be depressed and definitely not depressed throughout different times in the day, and it follows this pattern. As Bipolar II, I am wondering if the Lamictal + Zoloft is a danger to triggering depression (as antidepressants sometimes do after using them for some time.) Before Lamictal, I took 1000mg daily of Depakote and was very stable, but had sort of a negative disposition about things (though pretty much completely stable), but the feelings I had, though very much tolerable, still prompted me to believe that possible Lamictal would be a better option for me for its antidepressing effects. The first weeks of the titration were great, but I noticed decreased effectiveness going from 50 to 100 daily, and not much change from 100 to 200. It seems that when I go for longer periods without it ('it' meaning my morning dose of Lam, Zoloft) that I hold out in a positive mood for a pretty good while. I could be on too much, or might need to decrease and add another mood stabilizer and maybe drop down the Zoloft since they can be dangerous for bipolars. I've heard good things about Trileptal (Tradazone's brother w/less side effects) so I may inquire about that. I'm holding, but not shining, and I will try anything before atypical antipsychotics because, though effective, I've been down that route and they are just too much for me. Strong and great if they work, terrible if they don't work right, and most doctors err on the side of caution about long-term use.
I am confident in the effects of mood stabilizers though, and before I didn't know any better. I worry about caffeine and klonopin because I think a caffeine high and low can cause some negative feelings, and perhaps taking more klonopin could cause it as well. I just need to ride it out. I'd love to hear your history of meds, successes and failures. It always helps to get another's perspective. Thank you so much for your concern.
Take care all,
Charlie
poster:wcfrench
thread:208531
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030402/msgs/216863.html