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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CraigD on November 14, 2003, at 23:35:50
I've been off Celexa for a year and a half and now the anxiety and depression are too much to bear. Because I had problems with impulsivity, drug use, spending, and a strong history of Bipolar, doc is suggesting I start on a mood stabilizer first to see if it works before trying Lexapro.
He also told me to research and pick one.My social anxiety, GAD and difficulty concentrating are getting so bad I want to jump on Lexapro (Celexa worked very well for these), but if I am BP II, I'd love a med that doesn't kill my sex drive or make me a big party monster.
Is there a stabilizer out there good for anxiety that won't dull me out or make me fat? Is the BP II concern overblown and was my behavior just typical with SSRI's?
I have lots of AD experience, but very little with Mood stabs.
thanks all
Posted by Searchlight on November 15, 2003, at 0:10:00
In reply to Dr: Pick a drug, any drug..., posted by CraigD on November 14, 2003, at 23:35:50
Hi CraigD, I have been diagnosed with major depression for 25+ years and now they are beginning to think it is BP2 (bad atypical depression). I have tons of experience with ADs as well with Prozac being the only one that really helped (not perfect but pretty decent). My pdoc wants to start me on mood stabilizers too (I have never had a manic episode), I believe he wants to try Depakote. I want to try an MAOI first but only a couple pdocs perscibe them in this city (pop. a million+ people). Have you considered an MAOI? My Mom is on Nardil for 15+ years and Marplan before that. They work GREAT for her (she has moderate anxiety/depression).
Posted by Robert Fairburn on November 15, 2003, at 18:09:36
In reply to Dr: Pick a drug, any drug..., posted by CraigD on November 14, 2003, at 23:35:50
I would give nardil a go
Posted by CraigD on November 15, 2003, at 18:34:33
In reply to Re: Dr: Pick a drug, any drug..., posted by Robert Fairburn on November 15, 2003, at 18:09:36
Thanks folks.
I just read my own post and want to clarify -- I have a strong FAMILY history of BP (dad and sister).
If I am going hypomanic on Celexa, you think Nardil is a better choice? Hmm..never really considered an MAOI.
Posted by slinky on November 15, 2003, at 21:29:18
In reply to Dr: Pick a drug, any drug..., posted by CraigD on November 14, 2003, at 23:35:50
Neurontin?
Helps with anxiety and is a good mood stabilizer (very few side effects )for some.
Expensive though--wish I knew why.
Posted by recumbent on November 15, 2003, at 22:10:41
In reply to Re: Dr: Pick a drug, any drug... » CraigD, posted by slinky on November 15, 2003, at 21:29:18
>
> Neurontin?
> Helps with anxiety and is a good mood stabilizer (very few side effects )for some.
> Expensive though--wish I knew why.
>
I found a few cheap online pharmacies, but I also found this:
http://www.citizen.org/eletter/articles/neurontin.htm
What do you make of it? Have you used Neurotin with success?
Posted by slinky on November 15, 2003, at 23:51:34
In reply to Re: Dr: Pick a drug, any drug...Neurotin, posted by recumbent on November 15, 2003, at 22:10:41
Well, it's been said many times that the drug has no effect on bipolar etc.
I take 1200mg - it does help me with social anxiety/panic/irritability and my mood is more controlled--I'm not so impulsive. Sometimes it makes me feel like I've had a strong beer..
I think it only helps a few but the few that I know that take it- praise it. Used alone I don't know...I take AD's with it.
For me it impairs my memory.
You'll never know till you try. Good luck.
Posted by dms777smd on November 16, 2003, at 12:31:17
In reply to Re: Dr: Pick a drug, any drug..., posted by Searchlight on November 15, 2003, at 0:10:00
But MAOI's can have very bad side effects and you really need to be careful of even what you eat on those.If you drink,,,no way.That can kill you.Prozac didn't help me that much,but if it helps you ,than just stick to that.And I really don't think a mood stabilizer is going to do it for you.Try lexapro,,,that totally took away my depression and it does help the anxiety too.You should give it a try.
Posted by Searchlight on November 16, 2003, at 12:52:09
In reply to Re: Dr: Pick a drug, any drug... » Searchlight, posted by dms777smd on November 16, 2003, at 12:31:17
Thank you for the input. I was on Prozac for 10 years before I felt it pooping out on me. Ten years is a gift in terms of something working well. I tried Lexapro (along with about 15 other ADs), but it upset my stomach so badly (even on 5 mgs daily) that I had to go off it. I am really thinking MAOI. My Mom has responded extremely well to them for over 18 years. She is an expert at the diet, and I know all about it as she is very informative on this. Can I ask why you think a mood stabilizer might not be the best choice? I just want so badly to feel decent again.
Thanks
Posted by CraigD on November 16, 2003, at 16:39:10
In reply to Re: Dr: Pick a drug, any drug...Neurotin » recumbent, posted by slinky on November 15, 2003, at 23:51:34
Are you still taking Neurontin? Are the memory lapses bad? the depression and anxiety have beat my memory and concentration to hell already
Posted by slinky on November 17, 2003, at 20:20:04
In reply to Re: Dr: Pick a drug, any drug...Neurotin, posted by CraigD on November 16, 2003, at 16:39:10
> Are you still taking Neurontin? Are the memory lapses bad? the depression and anxiety have beat my memory and concentration to hell already
Yes still taking it.
Only short-term memory is bad, I go into a room and forget why.
My concentration has always been bad...but I've noticed i get focus more without thinking tangents.
I like the ant-anxiety effect of neurontin.
Posted by shadows721 on November 17, 2003, at 23:25:35
In reply to Dr: Pick a drug, any drug..., posted by CraigD on November 14, 2003, at 23:35:50
I have heard that topamax, neurontin, and lithium are some meds that bipolars use.
Posted by dms777smd on November 19, 2003, at 19:29:30
In reply to Re: Dr: Pick a drug, any drug... » dms777smd, posted by Searchlight on November 16, 2003, at 12:52:09
Really I think I was just being a little selfish when I said that about mood stabilizers.Everyone is different and I know that you want to feel better.I do too.A doctor gave me neurontin before,for anxiety, and said it was a mood stabilizer.It didn't do anything for my anxiety and I had to take it three times a day.Just didn't work.But I think you should maybe start on something like that and see if it works.And maybe the MAOI too.I just had the worst panic attack today and I wish too that I could find something that REALLY works.Something's got to stop the pain,,right? Now,,,,I say go for it.
This is the end of the thread.
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