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Re: Gabapentin for Bipolar2 » KarenRB53

Posted by Tabitha on June 28, 2016, at 12:34:45

In reply to Gabapentin for Bipolar2, posted by KarenRB53 on June 27, 2016, at 17:35:20

> After taking antidepressants for over 20 yrs, Celexa the last 8 yrs...my doc had me taper off slowly and now it's been about 3 months with just Ativan prn. No depression so dr said this is an indication of bipolar2 as instead of becoming depressed without meds...I'm actually going the other way. In no way am I manic however do have more motivation, etc. So he wants me to go on a mood stabilizer...Gabapentin. Kind of wary as I think I'm ok but he wants me to try it. Any opinions or info on taking Gabapentin for bipolar2 appreciated.

Speaking as a bipolar II, I'm not sold on gapapentin as a mood stabilizer. Like others I have the impression it was a fad that passed after it was found to be not as effective as claimed. As I recall the excitement was that it might work as well as depakote and tegretol but without the side effects. Nowadays they say the same about lamotrigine. I was on gabapentin for a year or so, in combo with other meds. It was a pretty low dose and I honestly don't remember whether it helped or not.

I'm a little confused about your pdoc's reasoning. So if you're OK without your SSRI drug, how does that translate into saying you have bipolar II? Bipolar II symptoms are mood swings from depression to hypomania, without true mania. Another indicator is that SSRI drugs tend to induce mania. What you're describing sounds more like you had an episode of depression that hasn't recurred after stopping SSRI, and you're having ongoing anxiety. I am just not understanding why your pdoc wants to add a mood stabilizer at all right now.

 

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