Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 226813

Shown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithium

Posted by audrey on May 15, 2003, at 10:12:03

Hello. I'm diagnosed as bi-polar I and borderline personality disorder. Over the past couple of years I started having problems with my moods swinging back and forth between depression and mania much more frequently, with less down time in between. This was after a period of about four years in which I didn't have any extreme episodes. Now that I'm older -- 28 -- my moods are much more severe. My depressions tend to be much more intense, including 2 suicide attempts, and my manic episodes are much less productive and seem to involve anger and rage rather than just staying awake for several days getting a lot of writing or reading done, or scrubbing my bathroom tiles with a toothbrush, or whatever. Now it's all just terribly frightening. So my psychiatrist put me on depakote for a while, which seemed to work pretty well. However, despite being a competetive athlete, training for marathons and triathlons, I gained 30+ pounds. Then we tried lithium, and had the same problem. I've had issues with my body image since I was 10 years old, so this caused other problems! Now I'm on Topamax which is not nearly as effective. I've been losing the weight I gained, but the old demons are back. Does anyone know of any mood stabilizers that don't cause weight gain, but also seem to be effective for most people?

A little background -- I also take klonopin to help with anxiety. And I've tried Paxil and several SSRIs, all of which basically caused me to freak out.

Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!

--Audrey

 

Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithium » audrey

Posted by judy1 on May 15, 2003, at 12:20:18

In reply to Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithium, posted by audrey on May 15, 2003, at 10:12:03

a lot of pdocs combine depakote and topamax for the very reason you're taking it- to counteract the weight gain from depakote. I'm glad you're not taking AD's, they do worsen cycling in a lot of people with bipolar disorder. since depakote worked so well for you, I think you should ask your pdoc about combining the two. best of luck, judy

 

Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithium » audrey

Posted by Ritch on May 15, 2003, at 13:36:10

In reply to Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithium, posted by audrey on May 15, 2003, at 10:12:03

> Hello. I'm diagnosed as bi-polar I and borderline personality disorder. Over the past couple of years I started having problems with my moods swinging back and forth between depression and mania much more frequently, with less down time in between. This was after a period of about four years in which I didn't have any extreme episodes. Now that I'm older -- 28 -- my moods are much more severe. My depressions tend to be much more intense, including 2 suicide attempts, and my manic episodes are much less productive and seem to involve anger and rage rather than just staying awake for several days getting a lot of writing or reading done, or scrubbing my bathroom tiles with a toothbrush, or whatever. Now it's all just terribly frightening. So my psychiatrist put me on depakote for a while, which seemed to work pretty well. However, despite being a competetive athlete, training for marathons and triathlons, I gained 30+ pounds. Then we tried lithium, and had the same problem. I've had issues with my body image since I was 10 years old, so this caused other problems! Now I'm on Topamax which is not nearly as effective. I've been losing the weight I gained, but the old demons are back. Does anyone know of any mood stabilizers that don't cause weight gain, but also seem to be effective for most people?
>
> A little background -- I also take klonopin to help with anxiety. And I've tried Paxil and several SSRIs, all of which basically caused me to freak out.
>
> Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!
>
> --Audrey

I agree with Judy about combining Depakote with another mood stabilizer at perhaps a lower-dose that doesn't kick the weight gain in. From personal experience I found that Depakote+Neurontin worked fairly well. There are some people that have found success with Depakote+Lamictal. There was a recent poster here (can't remember name), that found low-dose lithium and low-dose Depakote to work well. The easiest thing would be to add back *some* Depakote to your Topamax and see if it brings your under control without reversing the weight loss you are enjoying with the TOP.

 

Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu

Posted by audrey on May 15, 2003, at 15:12:59

In reply to Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithium » audrey, posted by Ritch on May 15, 2003, at 13:36:10

Thanks Ritch and Judy. I'm seeing my pdoc this evening, so I will mention these ideas to him. It would be great to get back on the depakote, but I just can't deal with the weight gain. Thanks again!

Audrey

 

Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu » audrey

Posted by Angel Girl on May 17, 2003, at 17:38:45

In reply to Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu, posted by audrey on May 15, 2003, at 15:12:59

> Thanks Ritch and Judy. I'm seeing my pdoc this evening, so I will mention these ideas to him. It would be great to get back on the depakote, but I just can't deal with the weight gain. Thanks again!
>
> Audrey


Hi Audrey

I'd be interested in knowing what your pdoc thought of the ideas presented to you. I am BP-II and I'm currently taking 1,500mg of Depakote daily. I've gained about 30 lbs while taking it and can't seem to get them off. I'm toying with the idea of lowering the dosage of Depakote and augmenting with Topomax.

Good luck in finding the right drug mix that works for you.

Angel Girl

 

Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu » audrey

Posted by dddiane on May 18, 2003, at 8:32:57

In reply to Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithium, posted by audrey on May 15, 2003, at 10:12:03

Audrey,

We talked about a month ago, I think, about Topamax and how it wasn't quite giving us the stability we needed. I just saw your message today, so I am replying a little late here.

I too had gained weight from meds, Depakote among others and this was addressed by Topamax. Also, Depakote was not the greatest drug for me, the two times I used it I began losing amazing amounts of hair after three months. A year ago I lost 50% of my long hair in a few months time. Sorry, fat, bald and dopy is just not acceptable to me.

Anyway, I am now doing a very slow transition from Topamax to Lamictal. I may try using both meds together, or I may eventually drop the Topamax altogether. I don't know yet. I do find Topamax very nice and calming.

If you do decide to go with Lamictal, go very slowly! I do have a good link I can send you for a conservative dosing schedule which can help elminate the possibility of allergic rash. I am finding it a frustratingly slow start, but I have run out of options with meds and I really want Lamictal to succeed.

I think it will be a good choice for me because of my need for it's antidepressant qualities. I too found my "creative manias" vanish as I aged. Now I experience more mixed state crap, self-hatred, self-distructive, garbage. So I know what you mean.

Best of luck, and keep me, and us, posted, whatever you decide to try.

Diane


> Hello. I'm diagnosed as bi-polar I and borderline personality disorder. Over the past couple of years I started having problems with my moods swinging back and forth between depression and mania much more frequently, with less down time in between. This was after a period of about four years in which I didn't have any extreme episodes. Now that I'm older -- 28 -- my moods are much more severe. My depressions tend to be much more intense, including 2 suicide attempts, and my manic episodes are much less productive and seem to involve anger and rage rather than just staying awake for several days getting a lot of writing or reading done, or scrubbing my bathroom tiles with a toothbrush, or whatever. Now it's all just terribly frightening. So my psychiatrist put me on depakote for a while, which seemed to work pretty well. However, despite being a competetive athlete, training for marathons and triathlons, I gained 30+ pounds. Then we tried lithium, and had the same problem. I've had issues with my body image since I was 10 years old, so this caused other problems! Now I'm on Topamax which is not nearly as effective. I've been losing the weight I gained, but the old demons are back. Does anyone know of any mood stabilizers that don't cause weight gain, but also seem to be effective for most people?
>
> A little background -- I also take klonopin to help with anxiety. And I've tried Paxil and several SSRIs, all of which basically caused me to freak out.
>
> Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!
>
> --Audrey

 

Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu » dddiane

Posted by katia on May 18, 2003, at 15:47:41

In reply to Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu » audrey, posted by dddiane on May 18, 2003, at 8:32:57

> Audrey,
>
> We talked about a month ago, I think, about Topamax and how it wasn't quite giving us the stability we needed. I just saw your message today, so I am replying a little late here.
>
> I too had gained weight from meds, Depakote among others and this was addressed by Topamax. Also, Depakote was not the greatest drug for me, the two times I used it I began losing amazing amounts of hair after three months. A year ago I lost 50% of my long hair in a few months time. Sorry, fat, bald and dopy is just not acceptable to me.
>
> Anyway, I am now doing a very slow transition from Topamax to Lamictal. I may try using both meds together, or I may eventually drop the Topamax altogether. I don't know yet. I do find Topamax very nice and calming.
>
> If you do decide to go with Lamictal, go very slowly! I do have a good link I can send you for a conservative dosing schedule which can help elminate the possibility of allergic rash. I am finding it a frustratingly slow start, but I have run out of options with meds and I really want Lamictal to succeed.
>
> I think it will be a good choice for me because of my need for it's antidepressant qualities. I too found my "creative manias" vanish as I aged. Now I experience more mixed state crap, self-hatred, self-distructive, garbage. So I know what you mean.
>
> Best of luck, and keep me, and us, posted, whatever you decide to try.
>
> Diane

Hi Diane,
I am seeing a pdoc in three weeks (a new one). I am on my fourth AD to no luck. I've tried Celexa, Effexor, Zoloft, and now Serzone. What I am experiencing on Serzone is a lot of energized irritability. which is familiar to me. (w/o meds). I am beginning to think I may be BPII (dysphoric and mixed).
I am curious, how long have you been aware of your BPII? Did it take you awhile to figure out?
What you write above seems soooo familiar to me. "Now I experience more mixed state crap, self-hatred, self-distructive, garbage. So I know what you mean."
this yuck feeling of wanting to tear your skin off as well as others around you; mixed with depression. It's confusing! Either let me be JUST depressed (which I've been) or let me be EUPHORICALLY BP!!! which I've never been.
I'd be interested to hear about some of your history with dx(s) and meds.
thanks.
Katia

 

Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu

Posted by dddiane on May 19, 2003, at 6:31:40

In reply to Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu » dddiane, posted by katia on May 18, 2003, at 15:47:41

> Hi Diane,
> I am seeing a pdoc in three weeks (a new one). I am on my fourth AD to no luck. I've tried Celexa, Effexor, Zoloft, and now Serzone. What I am experiencing on Serzone is a lot of energized irritability. which is familiar to me. (w/o meds). I am beginning to think I may be BPII (dysphoric and mixed).
> I am curious, how long have you been aware of your BPII? Did it take you awhile to figure out?
> What you write above seems soooo familiar to me. "Now I experience more mixed state crap, self-hatred, self-distructive, garbage. So I know what you mean."
> this yuck feeling of wanting to tear your skin off as well as others around you; mixed with depression. It's confusing! Either let me be JUST depressed (which I've been) or let me be EUPHORICALLY BP!!! which I've never been.
> I'd be interested to hear about some of your history with dx(s) and meds.
> thanks.
> Katia

Katia,

Goodluck with your new pdoc, I always found it challenging to change!

Are you taking AD without any mood stablizers in place? You didn't say. If so and if you are bipolar that will make you feel like "tearing your skin off".

I was dx'ed 20 years ago as bipolar, and it has been my only dx, except for some loopy therapists previous to my dx who said I was only neurotic, if you know what I mean! And I'm pretty clearly BP I, because my manias before meds were severe and sometimes a little psychotic. But I've been on meds so consistantly now that I don't have the extreme manias, or even true manias anymore.

When I was first dx'ed, I used lithium for a year, and hated it. This was not a good pdoc, I think she had my levels too high from what I read later, and I was a zombie. So I went off it and did no meds for a year. Then I went to a better pdoc and tried tegretol, which I stayed with until about 15 months ago. It really gave me the stability I needed, even though it is very hard on long and short term memory, and made me feel stupid (I call it Forget-it-tal). It did leave me sort of hypomanic alot too, but that's better than depressed, in my book. Later my pdoc added Neurontin to the mix, which really helps me with anxiety. And sometimes I take a small amount of klonipin or ambien to sleep.

I'm not tolerant of AD's at all. They make me manic in short order, even with a mood stablizer in place. Though years ago we did use one of the older ones to pull me out of a deep depression after the death of my dad. But it was very short term, a couple of months, and I had to stop using it fast.

Sorry this is long but you asked for a history! Then I had some serious side effects from Tegretol. Had to stop it immediately. Lost my job, insurance, and pdoc! Had a stand-in pdoc, and tried depakote, zeprexa, respirdal. Hated them all. The APs really depressed me. Got my old pdoc back and went on Topamax, which *almost* makes me stable! The bottom tends to drop out when I least expect it. And it's frustrating to me, because I got over the "dumbing" side effects! Topamax makes me feel nice and calm. But it just doesn't give me quite enough stability.

Anyway, hope all that rambling helps! You can always find me here,
http://pub123.ezboard.com/btopamaxtalk
under the same name if you want to talk more.

Let me know what happens with your pdoc. And best of luck figuring out all this med stuff, It isn't easy to weed through and find the right med or med cocktail.

Diane


 

Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu » dddiane

Posted by Angel Girl on May 19, 2003, at 15:21:03

In reply to Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu, posted by dddiane on May 19, 2003, at 6:31:40


Diane

I'm currently on Depakote and thinking of switching to Topamax. I tried the link you provided and it doesn't work for me. Would you mind re-checking it please.

thanks,
Angel Girl


> Katia,
>
> Goodluck with your new pdoc, I always found it challenging to change!
>
> Are you taking AD without any mood stablizers in place? You didn't say. If so and if you are bipolar that will make you feel like "tearing your skin off".
>
> I was dx'ed 20 years ago as bipolar, and it has been my only dx, except for some loopy therapists previous to my dx who said I was only neurotic, if you know what I mean! And I'm pretty clearly BP I, because my manias before meds were severe and sometimes a little psychotic. But I've been on meds so consistantly now that I don't have the extreme manias, or even true manias anymore.
>
> When I was first dx'ed, I used lithium for a year, and hated it. This was not a good pdoc, I think she had my levels too high from what I read later, and I was a zombie. So I went off it and did no meds for a year. Then I went to a better pdoc and tried tegretol, which I stayed with until about 15 months ago. It really gave me the stability I needed, even though it is very hard on long and short term memory, and made me feel stupid (I call it Forget-it-tal). It did leave me sort of hypomanic alot too, but that's better than depressed, in my book. Later my pdoc added Neurontin to the mix, which really helps me with anxiety. And sometimes I take a small amount of klonipin or ambien to sleep.
>
> I'm not tolerant of AD's at all. They make me manic in short order, even with a mood stablizer in place. Though years ago we did use one of the older ones to pull me out of a deep depression after the death of my dad. But it was very short term, a couple of months, and I had to stop using it fast.
>
> Sorry this is long but you asked for a history! Then I had some serious side effects from Tegretol. Had to stop it immediately. Lost my job, insurance, and pdoc! Had a stand-in pdoc, and tried depakote, zeprexa, respirdal. Hated them all. The APs really depressed me. Got my old pdoc back and went on Topamax, which *almost* makes me stable! The bottom tends to drop out when I least expect it. And it's frustrating to me, because I got over the "dumbing" side effects! Topamax makes me feel nice and calm. But it just doesn't give me quite enough stability.
>
> Anyway, hope all that rambling helps! You can always find me here,
> http://pub123.ezboard.com/btopamaxtalk
> under the same name if you want to talk more.
>
> Let me know what happens with your pdoc. And best of luck figuring out all this med stuff, It isn't easy to weed through and find the right med or med cocktail.
>
> Diane
>
>
>

 

broken link? - topamax

Posted by dddiane on May 20, 2003, at 7:57:54

In reply to Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu » dddiane, posted by Angel Girl on May 19, 2003, at 15:21:03

Angel Girl,

Sorry if it did not work, I tried it and it works for me and if I copy/paste it again I don't think it's going to work any better for you. But here goes:

http://pub123.ezboard.com/btopamaxtalk

You can also get there by going to www.ezboard.com and typing in "topamax" to the Find A Community thing. It 's a good board, and and the typing! :)

Diane

 

Re: broken link? - topamax

Posted by audrey on May 20, 2003, at 14:09:59

In reply to broken link? - topamax, posted by dddiane on May 20, 2003, at 7:57:54

I mentioned the idea of combing Depakote with Topamax to my pdoc, and right now he wants to see if eventually lowering my dose of Topamax (was taking 150mg, now at 125) to 100 mg and increasing my Klonopin will help. I know this isn't going to make any difference, and possibly will make things worse, but I kind of understand why he's doing it. When I first started seeing him, I was really frustrated with all the chemicals I was putting into my body, and I realize he has always been cognizant of that concern of mine. But I just can't live this way!! I hate these "experiments!" Call me impatient, but it takes a few months to determine if it is working. I'm just afraid I'm going to do something really drastic. At least I already quit my job, I guess! But someone mentioned feeling like they wanted to tear their skin off -- that is exactly how I feel so often... What I would give to have my old mania back such as when I was in college, then instead of throwing piles of books across the room I might actually be able to finish writing my book!

And thanks for the link, Diane. Indeed, last time we communicated here, I looked at that message board and there is some helpful information there -- for anyone else who is struggling through this... Hope you are well, Diane.

 

Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu

Posted by dddiane on May 23, 2003, at 13:35:22

In reply to Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu » dddiane, posted by katia on May 18, 2003, at 15:47:41


>
> Hi Diane,
> I am seeing a pdoc in three weeks (a new one). I am on my fourth AD to no luck. I've tried Celexa, Effexor, Zoloft, and now Serzone. What I am experiencing on Serzone is a lot of energized irritability. which is familiar to me. (w/o meds). I am beginning to think I may be BPII (dysphoric and mixed).
> I am curious, how long have you been aware of your BPII? Did it take you awhile to figure out?
> What you write above seems soooo familiar to me. "Now I experience more mixed state crap, self-hatred, self-distructive, garbage. So I know what you mean."
> this yuck feeling of wanting to tear your skin off as well as others around you; mixed with depression. It's confusing! Either let me be JUST depressed (which I've been) or let me be EUPHORICALLY BP!!! which I've never been.
> I'd be interested to hear about some of your history with dx(s) and meds.
> thanks.
> Katia

Katia,

Today I saw some of your older posts and just thought I would ask how you are doing?

Diane

 

Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu » dddiane

Posted by katia on May 23, 2003, at 14:10:38

In reply to Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu, posted by dddiane on May 23, 2003, at 13:35:22

>
> >
> > Hi Diane,
> > I am seeing a pdoc in three weeks (a new one). I am on my fourth AD to no luck. I've tried Celexa, Effexor, Zoloft, and now Serzone. What I am experiencing on Serzone is a lot of energized irritability. which is familiar to me. (w/o meds). I am beginning to think I may be BPII (dysphoric and mixed).
> > I am curious, how long have you been aware of your BPII? Did it take you awhile to figure out?
> > What you write above seems soooo familiar to me. "Now I experience more mixed state crap, self-hatred, self-distructive, garbage. So I know what you mean."
> > this yuck feeling of wanting to tear your skin off as well as others around you; mixed with depression. It's confusing! Either let me be JUST depressed (which I've been) or let me be EUPHORICALLY BP!!! which I've never been.
> > I'd be interested to hear about some of your history with dx(s) and meds.
> > thanks.
> > Katia
>
> Katia,
>
> Today I saw some of your older posts and just thought I would ask how you are doing?
>
> Diane
>
>

thanks for checking in with me. I forgot to reply to your previous post. No, i'm not on any mood stabilizers as I've never been given any dx really, except the one I gave myself last summer "double depression". It's takes detective work to figure this all out.

Without a doubt, I've been depressed most of my life. But after trying lots of ADs and none of them working and after reflecting on my mood swings over the years and bouts of irritability and rage and agitation - high energy (nothing euphoric) and reading these posts and reading up on BP (II), I think that my "disorder" is more complicated than just good ole' depression. I stopped the Serzone and already feel somwhat better, less high strung. But, I also stopped it the day I got my period so it could be related to that. and I normally don't have PMS that badly. I'm really not sure how I am. I know I have an appt. with a well-known pdoc in three weeks and I've stopped the ADs and won't drink anything at least until I see him, maybe longer, to get a clear idea of what's going on with me.
It's a tangled web to unravel. I brought it up to a friend the other day that I think I may be BP (probably II). her father is classic manic depressive; so she's got some experience. She said that , yes she could definitely see that in me upon reflection. And she thought it was exacerbated when I drank. I do feel that too now that I think about it. When I'm depressed, just depressed, down and lethargic, I don't have a desire to drink. It's when I feel "manic", high wild energy that is full of agitation, racing thoughts, etc. then I tend to drink and I think it worsens it. then I crash. shit. what a roller coaster ride I've been on for years. Why haven't we as a society paid more and closer attention to our behaviours and question it?????????

I would've not wasted so much precious time and relationships wasted.
so that's the update. thanks for asking.
Katia

 

Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu

Posted by dddiane on May 24, 2003, at 15:49:00

In reply to Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu » dddiane, posted by katia on May 23, 2003, at 14:10:38

Katia,

You seemed to have gained some valuable insight into your possible dx in a short period of time. And from what I have gathered you have chosen a pdoc with a good reputation, which is a really smart move on your part. It might be a pricy step, but from my perspective an inexperienced or indifferent pdoc is a false economy.

Fifteen months ago I lost my insurance for a time and because I was scared about money I left (for a time) my great pdoc of six years and saw an intern who was free. I have such regrets now. I wasted valuable time - that's how I see it now. He tried me out on, and kept me on meds (specificly APs) that my regular pdoc has never considered appropriate. I honestly think he was so green he was wowed by Lilly reps. Thank god that's over, and now I know that my pdoc is my life line and not where I can afford to be price-shopping.

Now I'm back with my old pdoc and there is nothing like it. She is always up on research, and yet gives me credit for my own reading and opinions, and is ready to try out my ideas. She returns my calls and laughs at my jokes. The relationship is professional, yet relaxed. I have the latitude to fine tune my meds and this is important to me. Remember, I have been dx'ed for 20 years. I've known so many pdocs. Some will try to charge you for a "phone consulation" if you talk to them between appointments. Some get very threatened if you suggest any change in the current med regiment, even if it is not working! Some fall asleep while you are talking to them (this has happened to me!). It's discouraging out there, but a good doc is really worth it.

You might want to do some reading on Lamictal, if you have not done so already. I am switching over from Topamax to Lamictal, and it seems very energizing and anti-depressant in nature. And at this point I've tried all the rest, as they say! :) The research is good on it too.

Best of luck, and it really sounds like you are on the right track with all this,

Diane

Well, best of luck,

 

thanks! (nm) » dddiane

Posted by katia on May 24, 2003, at 16:02:31

In reply to Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu, posted by dddiane on May 24, 2003, at 15:49:00

 

Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu

Posted by missliz on May 25, 2003, at 23:51:43

In reply to Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithium, posted by audrey on May 15, 2003, at 10:12:03

I didn't go through the whole thread, but Audreys story is exactly like mine, including the anger and the endurance athletics, all of it. For me, Tegretol and now its little sister Trileptal are the absolute best drugs. There were lots of studies a few years ago about Tegretol and personality disorder, which got me on it and it changed my life. Trileptal is a new better analog of Tegretol, no weird drug interactions, and neither caused me any weight problems. I had three of my best competitive seasons ever on Tegretol racing cross country Mt bikes- then I blew up my knee and am just coming back. A stable head makes a sharper competitor. Trileptal has been excellent for my anger and moodiness, and I reccomend it highly.
Keep training Audrey. The chemicals you make in your head are much better than anything out of a bottle, and training keeps them up. I did much better when I was training, needed less meds, as contrasted with the last few years of sitting around having reconstructions and rehab on my legs. Sports has a great effect on self confidence and managing anxiety too. It's good to have a place to go where you aren't an illness but a warrior. Those skills will help you manage the illness better.

missliz

 

Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu » missliz

Posted by audrey on May 26, 2003, at 15:20:20

In reply to Re: Mood-stabilizers other than depakote or lithiu, posted by missliz on May 25, 2003, at 23:51:43

Thanks for the encouragement missliz! You're absoluteley right -- I always feel strong, mentally and physically, when I'm on the trail regularly, whether I'm running or cycling. It definitely makes a difference. But I do still have the other stuff to deal with. I'll have to look into Trileptal, as I've never heard of it. Good luck with your come back -- stay strong!!
--Audrey

> I didn't go through the whole thread, but Audreys story is exactly like mine, including the anger and the endurance athletics, all of it. For me, Tegretol and now its little sister Trileptal are the absolute best drugs. There were lots of studies a few years ago about Tegretol and personality disorder, which got me on it and it changed my life. Trileptal is a new better analog of Tegretol, no weird drug interactions, and neither caused me any weight problems. I had three of my best competitive seasons ever on Tegretol racing cross country Mt bikes- then I blew up my knee and am just coming back. A stable head makes a sharper competitor. Trileptal has been excellent for my anger and moodiness, and I reccomend it highly.
> Keep training Audrey. The chemicals you make in your head are much better than anything out of a bottle, and training keeps them up. I did much better when I was training, needed less meds, as contrasted with the last few years of sitting around having reconstructions and rehab on my legs. Sports has a great effect on self confidence and managing anxiety too. It's good to have a place to go where you aren't an illness but a warrior. Those skills will help you manage the illness better.
>
> missliz


This is the end of the thread.


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.