Posted by psychosage on July 13, 2004, at 5:34:31
In reply to Re: question for chemist » linkadge, posted by chemist on July 12, 2004, at 20:31:45
I have been on trileptal for a year now, and I was up to 1200mg/day {600mg bid}, and now I take 600mg a day because of an interction with trileptal. Trileptal is supposed to decrease levels of provigil, but what ended up happening was I experienced side effects of trileptal {typical ones that aren't particularly intolerable} as if I were starting with it from scratch or increasing the dosage. Therefore, the provigil was making the trileptal more potent, so i felt severely drunk after my morning dose.
Generally, I think it's a solid drug, but I have not been on any other anticonvulsant. The only other antimanics I have taken are antipsychotics. I loathe them, and I don't take them because they are debilitating.
I have posted often about Trileptal, so if you can search you will find I say them same things many others say. The side effect profile is better than other anticonvulsants, and I agree based on what real-time people have told me about lithium {not an anticonvulsant but antimanic}, depakote, topamax, and lamictal.
I asked about Lamictal, and if you can escape the rash it is pretty comparable to trileptal in terms of effect and low side effects.
Depakote can really knock you out I hear.
My impression is that trileptal at the optimal dose can clear your head up, but I am starting to think I need to dose three times a day or increase again because the "vibrations" in my head {drawn out cinematic-type memories, intense emotions {elation/fear/anxiety, inner tension} that draw me to distraction still exist.
I recall you mentioning anticonvulsants as dumb-down drugs, and in a sense they are. However, I have tried to stop seeing psych meds dualistically as activators/sedators, stimulators/tranquilizers or uppers/downers. You always have to makes some compromises, so you may trade in some vivacity in order to avoid the roller coaster bipolar ride. Those grand emotions and thoughts of genius aren't so valuable when you come down and realize how much time you waste in unproductive swings that always leave you craving more.
I am still on Trileptal, and I will stick on it for a while. If I feel I need a switch I would go to Lamictal before anything else.
The only concern about Trileptal is that it does affect other psych meds that are involved with the same liver enzyme as well as the fact you should have blood work done every 6 month or so to check on your sodium levels to make sure they are not too low. Enjoy your salty snacks!
I have not been on much since I have been back and forth from relatives and spending time outside a lot.
Good luck, Linkadge!
poster:psychosage
thread:365438
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040712/msgs/365557.html