Posted by Adam Donahue on January 7, 2004, at 15:01:26
In reply to Re: Celexa/Lamictal + Lithium for Bipolar II: Needed?, posted by HappyGirl on January 7, 2004, at 14:53:53
Well, those 'side effects' are just not acceptable. Like I've said elsewhere, it's one thing to be 'stabilized', it's quite another to feel the drool running down your chin! [OK, it wasn't that bad, but you get the picture.]
So I'm on Lamictal now, which I'm told doesn't have the same side effect profile as lithium. I'm also taking Celexa as I slowly raise the Lamictal dose to a therapeutic range.
Has anyone used Lamictal as monotherapy for BP II?
Adam
> Hi Adam D.:
> >> ... but after a few days of this my eyes would start to get baggy and I'd feel very tired. <<
> Those are 'side effects' from Lithium. Your pdoc. might have said to you in regard to 'fluid intake,' you need to drink a lot of fluid whether juice or plain water from faucet, on taking Lithium. The 150 mg. each time is right, ... because Lithium has reputation to have some annoying side-effects such as 'trembling hands' that you may NOT like to hear, but has one. Then, if possible, other med. like Depakote or Triptal(newer version of Tegretol) might be considered.
>
> Since I have no knowledge exact your Bp condition except severe form of depression, ... I can not say more on this. However, Bp II has, as in my previous response, serious form of Depression that debiliating you on daily activities, such as work or study. For this, you need some 'Stronger AD' to get it under control.
> If side effects stated above, from Lithium keeps on, even one or two weeks, ... then you need to talk to your pdoc. for another form of med., ... that is my suggestion.
> In my personal experience, my Bp(I have Bp II with rapid cycler since '98) got progressed as the times went. At the beginning, I had severe form of Dep. on the majority of my Bp, however manic(hypomanic) came, then the next, rageous form and go on, ... finally settled Bp II with rapid-cycler. Then, you can not predict what would happen on this symptoms, ... (Sorry, it makes you scared, ... but this is just only me, not anyone else, .. then keep your mind in good rest.) But, lucky Bps would stay as the same as the beginning of Dx(Hopefully, that is your case.) Then, you need to keep in good communication open with your pdoc. for now and future, as well.
> H.G.
>
poster:Adam Donahue
thread:297690
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040105/msgs/297725.html