Posted by Ritch on October 29, 2004, at 10:28:39
In reply to Re: Mitch: Dysphoric Mania vs Anxiety » Ritch, posted by smith562 on October 29, 2004, at 9:36:00
> Well, before I found out bipolar and depression were spectrum illnesses, I thought I would put to rest whether I was bipolar or not by dropping all ads and jack up the lithium. I was stable, but still depressed. I do seem to do better with 450mgs of lithium with any antidepressant. I stopped lamictal, really wasn't helping much so I am down to lithium 450mgs, klonopin 1mg, zoloft 100mgs.
>
> I think I would like to try a little depakote instead of the lithium and hopefully to take down the klonopin. To much klonopin makes me forgetful and a little disinhibited ... but without it I am short of breath, heart racing, panicing.
>
> Wish me luck ... thanks Mitch!
>
> SmithI would like to ditch clonazepam too at some point, but anytime I reduce it I either get anger issues or get very panicky. Would rather find alternatives first, then consider dropping it. Fortunately, I am not taking much to get off of. Depakote unfortunately doesn't address depression worth a hoot. If you can tolerate the lithium you might be better off on it instead. I certainly slept better on it and had more energy during the day than being on Depakote. 450mg of Li was the 'magic' dose for me as well, when I was taking it. More made me too foggy headed, less didn't seem to work well enough. Just a thought, but maybe it would best to just add 125mg of depakote to your current mix and see how it affects you. If you get all flattened out and feel somewhat more depressed, then maybe it's not the best one... if you feel your anxiety going down and feel more relaxed, then maybe consider some form of cross-taper? Good luck!
poster:Ritch
thread:406776
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041029/msgs/408735.html