Posted by rina on January 31, 2007, at 11:01:22
In reply to Re: Recently Diagnosed with Bipolar, posted by jed on January 31, 2007, at 2:50:58
> Hi Rina - A good doctor will look at your combination of factors (the ADD and depression, for example, or if you're anxious or have insomnia, etc.), and prescribe the meds that seem to be the best for your situation. For bipolar disorder (which I also have), they usually start you on a "mood stabilizer" first, because sometimes the mood stabilizer helps both the mania and the depression, and then you don't need anything else. (Also, if you have bipolar disorder and take an antidepressant by itself, sometimes it will bring on mania, so they like to have a mood stabilizer on board first.) For many of us, though, they end up adding more to the mix until we get the right combo.
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> As for which ones they go for first, I can only report what the process was for me when I first got my diagnosis. They tried lithium first, because, since it was discovered, it was the "first line" treatment for biploar disorder. It didn't agree with me, so they moved on to the other mood stabilizers, Depakote, Tegretol, Lamictal, etc. After getting a mood stabilizer on board, I was less agitated but still horribly depressed, so I started trying antidepressants. I think that is often the order in which the process goes for people diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Your doctor would consider your ADD when deciding which medication to try for treating your depression, if need be. Always remember that everyone is different, and though you may find the right medications quickly, it might turn out that you have to try different ones to get it right.
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> I think it's great that you are asking questions from the very beginning. We have to educate ourselves and advocate for ourselves through this whole medication process. It is essential to have a doctor whom you trust. You should always be able to ask questions until you understand what she or he is doing.
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> I wish you the very best!Thank you so much for the positive insight. This is definitely information that I intend to keep in my, so I can begin and continue to advocate my treatment. Also, my appointment yesterday went well. My doc started me on Abilify 10mg and I'm also on Lamictal 300mg. Cross my finger, hopefully this is a start, for positive things to come. Once again thanks for the information.
poster:rina
thread:727344
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070125/msgs/728424.html