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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lumina on April 30, 2003, at 22:39:20
So after trying eight or so antidepressants, a doctor finally diagnosed me as being mildly bipolar. A have constant cycles of angry and then hopeless depression. I tried Zyprexa, which was awful. Incredibly compressing. I had trouble concentrating, major memory problems, and I was so out-of-it I often couldn't drive. My doctor added Wellbutrin three weeks in (All other AD's have produced intolerable sexual side effects, irritability and/or anxiety), with no effect. I was just prescribed Trileptal today and I'm wondering if it will have any impact on my depression. My doctor insists that I shouldn't take AD's alone, that I need a mood stabilizer, but I don't really care about my cycles, I just want to feel better. Do I really need to be pushed down by a mood stabilizer? I'm still on the Wellbutrin, but I haven't felt any effects, good or bad.
Posted by Ritch on April 30, 2003, at 23:31:31
In reply to Do mood stabilizers really help depression?, posted by Lumina on April 30, 2003, at 22:39:20
> So after trying eight or so antidepressants, a doctor finally diagnosed me as being mildly bipolar. A have constant cycles of angry and then hopeless depression. I tried Zyprexa, which was awful. Incredibly compressing. I had trouble concentrating, major memory problems, and I was so out-of-it I often couldn't drive. My doctor added Wellbutrin three weeks in (All other AD's have produced intolerable sexual side effects, irritability and/or anxiety), with no effect. I was just prescribed Trileptal today and I'm wondering if it will have any impact on my depression. My doctor insists that I shouldn't take AD's alone, that I need a mood stabilizer, but I don't really care about my cycles, I just want to feel better. Do I really need to be pushed down by a mood stabilizer? I'm still on the Wellbutrin, but I haven't felt any effects, good or bad.
Try the Trileptal and see what happens. If you feel clearly worse as a result, ask to be switched to something else. Meds for bipolar can be VERY unpredictable.
Posted by Hattree on May 1, 2003, at 9:44:04
In reply to Re: Do mood stabilizers really help depression? » Lumina, posted by Ritch on April 30, 2003, at 23:31:31
Posted by nmk on May 1, 2003, at 13:42:28
In reply to Do mood stabilizers really help depression?, posted by Lumina on April 30, 2003, at 22:39:20
A few days ago, I reached my target dose of 1200 mg Trileptal and am finally beginning to notice an improvement in my mood and a decrease in the mood cycling. I would give it a shot... I haven't noticed many negative side effects by going up 300 mg every 4 days. Also, make sure to take it on a full stomach since I just about vomitted by wheaties not knowing this.
Posted by KarenB on May 3, 2003, at 12:29:47
In reply to Re: Do mood stabilizers really help depression? » Lumina, posted by Ritch on April 30, 2003, at 23:31:31
Ritch,
Neurontin came as close as anything has, however I found that the higher the dose, the less AD properties, so you have to find the minimum effective dosage with that one.
Karen
Posted by Lumina on May 3, 2003, at 12:52:22
In reply to Re: Do mood stabilizers really help depression? » Ritch, posted by KarenB on May 3, 2003, at 12:29:47
> Ritch,
>
> Neurontin came as close as anything has, however I found that the higher the dose, the less AD properties, so you have to find the minimum effective dosage with that one.
>
> KarenYeah, my psych offered it as an option, but mainly because I was suffering from restless leg syndrome brought on by Effexor. He recently showed me some new algorithim for treating bipolar disorders that's being developed. Trileptal is the first line med for mixed episodes, and I've read it's good for quick cyclers, like me. The post about Lamictal irked me, but I've been reading about it and it seems much more appropriate for me; I'm now sure why it wasn't presented to me as an option.
Question: What are people doing to deal with Trileptal's effect on birth control?
Posted by Ritch on May 3, 2003, at 17:34:44
In reply to Re: Do mood stabilizers really help depression? » Ritch, posted by KarenB on May 3, 2003, at 12:29:47
> Ritch,
>
> Neurontin came as close as anything has, however I found that the higher the dose, the less AD properties, so you have to find the minimum effective dosage with that one.
>
> Karen
I had a similar experience with Neurontin as well. Anything above 900mg/day made me too tired and listless. Even 600-900mg/day was fairly tiring. OTOH, low doses 200-400mg/day actually had an activating effect.
This is the end of the thread.
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