Posted by KaraS on July 24, 2005, at 14:47:27
In reply to Re: dick hunt trileptal question, posted by med_empowered on July 24, 2005, at 14:05:06
> When I took trileptal, it helped some. 600mgs calmed things down a little; 900mgs really "evened things out"...but, it wasn't until I hit 1,200mgs that I found major anti-anxiety effects. Unfortunately, I still needed Klonopin and propranolol. According to some, Depakote has pretty pronounced anxiolytic effects, but I think the research is kinda sketchy and it focuses mainly on those with bipolar who also have problems with anxiety and/or panic disorders. (This is pretty common in bipolar disorder). Personally, given the cognitive dulling from higher-end doses of Trileptal and the blood tests and hormonal weirdness that goes with Depakote, I'd seriously recommend as-need benzos, buspar, SSRIs, TCAs, etc. before using a conventional mood-stabilizer or atypical antipsychotic for anxiety control. Various kinds of therapy help as well. Gabitril was OK for me, but stopped working very quickly, even after a dose a adjustment...not worth it. Neurontin flat out didn't do jack. You may recall that Parke-Davis, the Neurontin people, had to pay a $400million+ settlement in a lawsuit regarding unethical and unlawful marketing practices in pushing neurontin for things like anxiety and bipolar disorder. Before you go that route, it might be best to use some more tried and true medications.
I think this message was meant for me even though it had the previous poster's title on it (because it seemed to be answering my original post). If not, forgive me for responding to it.Thanks for your information. I probably have a "soft bipolar" condition based on the episodes of anxiety that I suffer with when unmedicated. I am starting on Klonopin soon but I was wondering if that didn't work out, whether a mood stabilizer alone would work but I don't think so now. I bet that if Klonopin isn't good for me for some reason, then my pdoc would probably recommend I take another benzo for the anxeity plus a mood stabilizer. He'd probably want the mood stabilizer to help with depression as well.
K
poster:KaraS
thread:532236
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050723/msgs/532778.html