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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by woolav on May 4, 2005, at 5:35:09
Ive been doing some research on meds for bp2. And they actually scare the crap out of me. the meds i am currently on are not for bp2 (except a fairly low dose of lamictal) but years ago, when i was more suicidal than now, i was put on a wonderful (being sarcastic) combo of paxil, lithium, zyprexa and depokote. And I was in a brain fog and felt really awfull to the point where I threw away all the meds (i know bad idea) and stopped cold turkey on all of them. Needless to say i went through a period of hell after that. Plus, I believed that my pdoc was a quak for having put me on AP meds etc. because i didnt think i was crazy. Anyway. Now I know I am bp2 and some of the meds i mentioned above are prescribed for this and I dont want to be on those meds. I looked up some info about geodon, the no weight gain sounded good, except it says it causes sedation and I hate that feeling. So, does anyone have any idea of meds that I could suggest to my pdoc????
Thanks
S
Posted by banga on May 4, 2005, at 7:12:38
In reply to good meds for bp2 anyone??, posted by woolav on May 4, 2005, at 5:35:09
> I looked up some info about geodon, the no weight gain sounded good, except it says it causes sedation and I hate that feeling. So, does anyone have any idea of meds that I could suggest to my pdoc????
> Thanks
> SHi,
Just wanted to say that Geodon did not make me groggy. At higher doses, it gave me a little bit of brain fog, but for me it wasn't sedating--so that may not be the case for everyone.Also, how much Lamictal are you using? maybe increasing the Lamictal may be an option for you?...some people on the board found that they needed to increase a few times to keep the benefit, but at some point they would reach the dose that works longer term....
The working dosages seemed to often be higher than the pdoc's original target dose.
Posted by woolav on May 4, 2005, at 8:03:03
In reply to Re: good meds for bp2 anyone??, posted by banga on May 4, 2005, at 7:12:38
I am taking 250mg of lamictal. But i read somewhere that taking an AD when you have bp might not be a good idea. (i think its causing suicidal thoughts) I know it is not helping with depression at all.....I also take klonopin.
Thanks
S
Posted by HappyGirl on May 5, 2005, at 0:50:01
In reply to good meds for bp2 anyone??, posted by woolav on May 4, 2005, at 5:35:09
Hi:
Regarding anti-pscyho. med., .... in my knowledge from the reading and also my 'personal experience, ... Zyprexa, Seroquel and Risperdal is good for 'dysphoric' and 'rapid/mixed' Bipolar symptoms. On the otherhand, Geodon and Abilify is somehow 'activating' efficacy that might be good for more 'hypomanic' form of Bipolar. There is 'two' form of Bipolar II, ... also from the reading, ... one is more 'depressive' form of Bipolar II and other is more 'hypomanic' form of Bipolar II. It sounds to me like your Bp is more likely 'hypomanic' type of Bp II as having read your previous post, ... particularly 'sexual/impulsive' urge.I've been on Zyprexa 5 mg. along with other meds. because of 'ultra rapid cycler' along with 'dysphoric' episodes, not often but still 'annoying' to get one. Then, my pdoc. rx'ed the Zyprexa after Depakote ceased and first of all, didn't do any 'good' on my condition, 'ultra-rapid cycler' Bp II. Then, you need to look at 'true' efficacy when you're researching. There are about five APs as long as I know, but their effectiveness is somehow 'different', ... at least in my reading. Also, its 'side-effect' to consider, as you concern. Geodon, Abilify and Risperdal seems all 'weight-neutral,' but two of them have 'activating' effect that in turn brings on 'insomnia' along with anxiety among the takers. As far as I know, all has 'pros and cons' and none is perfect. Then, for me, what I value the most is whether I can get 'enough' benefit from taking an AP without 'too' much sacrifice. Zyprexa, for instance, giving a weight-issue, but in my case, Wellbutrin SR 300 mg. and Trazodone 225 mg. seems a 'good' counteract not to have me get 'fat.' Believe me, I've been taking the Zyprexa for the past four to five years and gained about 10 lb. so far.
When you started thinking of any AP, ... you also need to look at anti-depressant that has NO weight problem like mine. Also, a mood-stabilizer, Depakote is notorious in this regard, although again there is discrepancy among the takers. I never got a weight when on Depakote, from 750 mg. to even 1,250 mg. All depends on person to person.
It's good to know that you started to research/study more aggressively in your progress. It takes awhile to find a right med. combo., but your effort and determination is well worth in the end.
H.G.
Posted by woolav on May 5, 2005, at 10:26:02
In reply to Re: good meds for bp2 anyone?? » woolav, posted by HappyGirl on May 5, 2005, at 0:50:01
Thanks. I have had bad experiances with depokote and zyprexa, so I dont want to take those again. I actually think I may have the other bP2 that you were talking about, because I have major depressive episodes that last and last also....So, anyway. I will talk to my pdoc when i go and mention the drugs and potential side effects and go from there. Thanks for your suggestions.
S
Posted by derniercri on May 6, 2005, at 2:10:02
In reply to good meds for bp2 anyone??, posted by woolav on May 4, 2005, at 5:35:09
I'm currently on Wellbutrin and Lamictal, and it's really, really working for me.
Posted by woolav on May 6, 2005, at 10:08:05
In reply to Re: good meds for bp2 anyone??, posted by derniercri on May 6, 2005, at 2:10:02
I am on lamictal also, and prozac, but apparently the prozac or something isnt working. Because I am still having episodes. But, I do like the lamictal, so perhaps I need to have the dosage raised. How many mg do you take???
Posted by stresser on May 6, 2005, at 22:46:46
In reply to Re: good meds for bp2 anyone??dern, posted by woolav on May 6, 2005, at 10:08:05
My daughter and I are both Bipolar II, and I am taking Zoloft and Topamax. 200mg of Topamax, 100mg of Zoloft and they are working VERY well for me. My daughter is taking 300mg of Topamax, and 300mg of Wellbutrin, 30mg of Adderall, and that seems to be working fine for her also. I responded better and faster than she did, and we were both diagnosed as the same time. (she first, really) We both wanted topamax because of the limited chance of weight gain. We have not gained any on it, and it does work well for leveling moods. She did try Tripletal, but started to put on weight, so she went back to the topamax. She does much better on 400mg, but at a higher dosage, her hair starts to fall out a bit faster than it does at 300mg. (yes, it does come out a little, and that's something I don't have). Who know what the next few months will bring, but for now, these meds are working fine. -L
Posted by woolav on May 9, 2005, at 10:22:37
In reply to Re: good meds for bp2 anyone??dern » woolav, posted by stresser on May 6, 2005, at 22:46:46
I dont want to lose my hair with topamax thats for sure. But, I do not want weight gain either. I am thinking of upping my lamictal dose and perhaps adding another med..
S
Posted by stresser on May 10, 2005, at 13:24:26
In reply to Re: good meds for bp2 anyone??, posted by woolav on May 9, 2005, at 10:22:37
Not everyone loses hair on topamax. I haven't lost any hair, and for me, the medication has changed my life. I wish I had known about it years ago, because I feel as if years of my life have been spent in a dark hole. Do you understand what I mean? -L
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