Posted by sarita0001 on October 11, 2003, at 8:59:31
In reply to Re: zonegran and bipolar II/nausea/fatigue, posted by tired10mom on October 10, 2003, at 13:50:12
Hello-
I am sorry to hear about what happened to your daughter. I hope she is doing better. I was diagnosed bipolar at 17 and was started on lithium and continued on that for 7 years. Lithium has less chance for adverse effects like the anticonvulsants but every one handles medicine differently. Doctors will tell you that it is not used as often but historically has always been the first choice for bp.
Earlier this year, I took Topamax(an anticonvulsant) and experienced side effects which I was told were rare but found out from my new doctor that they are really not. The key to having less side effects is the fewer medications one takes. My body was so used to lithium when I added Topamax it threw everything off. I grew a significant amount of hair on my face (which is costing me up to 2000 to laser off) and extra body hair. So i know what it is like regarding self-esteem as a young woman. As time goes on and the scars fade your daughter will get better. Good luck to you and if you have any questions I am here.
Sara
poster:sarita0001
thread:241313
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031010/msgs/268281.html