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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by beetle on August 7, 2001, at 21:20:25
My doctor has diagnosed me in the past as having GAD + Depression, but on our last visit she thought that she felt I may be bipolar. I never thought I could be a "manic-depressive" until my symptoms seemed to lead in that direction. I've always had ups and downs, but the ups and downs have been getting higher and lower in the last couple of years. I was being given Neurontin (600mg 1x/day) and Celexa (20mg/day), but that mix of medications is not working like it used to. My doctor decided to switch me to Depakote(500mg/day) and stay with the Celexa at 20mg. I've been on the Depakote for a couple of weeks,and I seem more stable, but severe anxiety attacks are still happening, and my sleep patterns are terrible. I was using Doxepin 50mg at night for this, but it's not working anymore.
Is there something I could add to fight the anxiety and insomnia? Is 500 mg of Depakote standard for bipolar?
Posted by MM on August 7, 2001, at 23:06:19
In reply to Anxiety, possible Bipolar - treatment options?, posted by beetle on August 7, 2001, at 21:20:25
I can't tell you how well it works because I've only been on this combination since friday night, but I'm on 500mg depakote ER and 10mg paxil. My sleeping's pretty messed up right now too. I think depakote is pretty standard for BP. I'm BPII, and don't feel I need something so strong, but besides LIthium, it is a first line treatment. Sorry I can't help more.
Posted by Wendy B. on August 9, 2001, at 11:36:29
In reply to Anxiety, possible Bipolar - treatment options?, posted by beetle on August 7, 2001, at 21:20:25
> My doctor has diagnosed me in the past as having GAD + Depression, but on our last visit she thought that she felt I may be bipolar. I never thought I could be a "manic-depressive" until my symptoms seemed to lead in that direction. I've always had ups and downs, but the ups and downs have been getting higher and lower in the last couple of years. I was being given Neurontin (600mg 1x/day) and Celexa (20mg/day), but that mix of medications is not working like it used to. My doctor decided to switch me to Depakote(500mg/day) and stay with the Celexa at 20mg. I've been on the Depakote for a couple of weeks,and I seem more stable, but severe anxiety attacks are still happening, and my sleep patterns are terrible. I was using Doxepin 50mg at night for this, but it's not working anymore.
>
> Is there something I could add to fight the anxiety and insomnia? Is 500 mg of Depakote standard for bipolar?
Hey Beetle,What's up with your doctor? 600 mg of Neurontin is NADA, nothing. I'm on 2400, dosage spaced evenly during the day, and know people who are on a LOT more, up to even 4800, my shrink says. (I am bipolar as well.) If you are on a drug at such a low dose, the next treatment option should just be a higher dose of the same drug, not switching to another.
Sorry for the rant, but this really bugs me. Depakote is a really tough drug, weight gain and hair loss are 2 of the common side-effects. Neurontin is very easy on the system, and could really help with your anxiety.
If you choose to stay on the depakote, and your anxiety is still high, ask your doc for a benzodiazepine, such as Klonopin, or Xanax. Again, I can't believe she hasn't suggested them for you. Some doctors are afraid to prescribe them, because of their supposed addictive quality, but don't be deterred. If you need to, get another doc. You shouldn't have to live with such terrible symptoms. Xanax also helps for sleeping problems, too.
Read up on benzo's on the PsychoBabble Tips, if you don't know much about them. They work very well for many people. I take Xanax from time to time for anxiety, and it works quickly.
Let us know how it goes for you, and again, sorry for the ranting, I just can't believe some doctors...
Best,
Wendy
Posted by Mitch on August 9, 2001, at 12:36:04
In reply to Anxiety, possible Bipolar - treatment options?, posted by beetle on August 7, 2001, at 21:20:25
> My doctor has diagnosed me in the past as having GAD + Depression, but on our last visit she thought that she felt I may be bipolar. I never thought I could be a "manic-depressive" until my symptoms seemed to lead in that direction. I've always had ups and downs, but the ups and downs have been getting higher and lower in the last couple of years. I was being given Neurontin (600mg 1x/day) and Celexa (20mg/day), but that mix of medications is not working like it used to. My doctor decided to switch me to Depakote(500mg/day) and stay with the Celexa at 20mg. I've been on the Depakote for a couple of weeks,and I seem more stable, but severe anxiety attacks are still happening, and my sleep patterns are terrible. I was using Doxepin 50mg at night for this, but it's not working anymore.
>
> Is there something I could add to fight the anxiety and insomnia? Is 500 mg of Depakote standard for bipolar?Beetle,
I am so also BPII and I found that Celexa and other SSRi's make me real WIRED. You might ask your doc about dropping the Celexa from 20mg down to 10mg and see if that would help.
Mitch
Posted by beetle on August 9, 2001, at 19:58:25
In reply to Re: Anxiety, possible Bipolar - treatment options? » beetle, posted by Mitch on August 9, 2001, at 12:36:04
> > My doctor has diagnosed me in the past as having GAD + Depression, but on our last visit she thought that she felt I may be bipolar. I never thought I could be a "manic-depressive" until my symptoms seemed to lead in that direction. I've always had ups and downs, but the ups and downs have been getting higher and lower in the last couple of years. I was being given Neurontin (600mg 1x/day) and Celexa (20mg/day), but that mix of medications is not working like it used to. My doctor decided to switch me to Depakote(500mg/day) and stay with the Celexa at 20mg. I've been on the Depakote for a couple of weeks,and I seem more stable, but severe anxiety attacks are still happening, and my sleep patterns are terrible. I was using Doxepin 50mg at night for this, but it's not working anymore.
> >
> > Is there something I could add to fight the anxiety and insomnia? Is 500 mg of Depakote standard for bipolar?
>
> Beetle,
>
> I am so also BPII and I found that Celexa and other SSRi's make me real WIRED. You might ask your doc about dropping the Celexa from 20mg down to 10mg and see if that would help.
>
> Mitch
Thanks for the info everyone. I'm afraid to ask my doctor for benzos for some reason, maybe i feel she'll think I'm some kind of junkie or something, or maybe I'm just afraid she'll say no. Anyway, I went in yesterday and she prescribed Remeron for my sleeplessness, and recommended 750mg/day of Depakote. The depakote has definitely leveled me out, but the anxiety attacks still surface.Again, thank you all.
Posted by AMenz on August 10, 2001, at 23:54:13
In reply to Re: Anxiety, possible Bipolar - treatment options?, posted by beetle on August 9, 2001, at 19:58:25
Hang on, if the anxiety is part of the bipolar symptomatology it may very well subside once your moods are more stable. With me it took a while but the anxiety is better.
I am on a benzo which I can't kick and wouldn't recommend it except PRN. Thank goodness I only have the 1mg, but after a year on it I'm physically addicted and can't get off it. Actually I could but I'm afraid of withdrawal after feeling better only for the last couple of months.
I have come to the conclusion that these episodes do subside with time. I'm more afraid of the mismedication. Depakote should be good. I am on Lithium
> > > My doctor has diagnosed me in the past as having GAD + Depression, but on our last visit she thought that she felt I may be bipolar. I never thought I could be a "manic-depressive" until my symptoms seemed to lead in that direction. I've always had ups and downs, but the ups and downs have been getting higher and lower in the last couple of years. I was being given Neurontin (600mg 1x/day) and Celexa (20mg/day), but that mix of medications is not working like it used to. My doctor decided to switch me to Depakote(500mg/day) and stay with the Celexa at 20mg. I've been on the Depakote for a couple of weeks,and I seem more stable, but severe anxiety attacks are still happening, and my sleep patterns are terrible. I was using Doxepin 50mg at night for this, but it's not working anymore.
> > >
> > > Is there something I could add to fight the anxiety and insomnia? Is 500 mg of Depakote standard for bipolar?
> >
> > Beetle,
> >
> > I am so also BPII and I found that Celexa and other SSRi's make me real WIRED. You might ask your doc about dropping the Celexa from 20mg down to 10mg and see if that would help.
> >
> > Mitch
>
>
> Thanks for the info everyone. I'm afraid to ask my doctor for benzos for some reason, maybe i feel she'll think I'm some kind of junkie or something, or maybe I'm just afraid she'll say no. Anyway, I went in yesterday and she prescribed Remeron for my sleeplessness, and recommended 750mg/day of Depakote. The depakote has definitely leveled me out, but the anxiety attacks still surface.
>
> Again, thank you all.
This is the end of the thread.
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