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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 robxblue on March 14, 2013, at 11:34:07
Hi Everyone,
I have Bipolar unspecified, Rapid cycling. My manic symptoms are well controlled, I'm just continuing to cycle into bad depressions. Problem is, almost all antidepressant-like substances bring on mania (insomnia, euphoric mood, etc). For example, NAC and Vitamin B12 supplements bring on mania for me, as does regular coffee etc. and all medications that increase mono amines, except I seem to like GABA increasing meds like Lunesta and Ativan
I'm wondering if you all have any suggestions on other options including supplements or somatic therapies to help depression without triggering mania and cycling?
I currently take:
Tegretol 600mg
Keppra 250mg
Lithium 450mg
Neurontin 900mgThanks so much!
Rob
Posted by b2chica on March 14, 2013, at 12:06:21
In reply to Rapid Cycling Friendly 'Antidepressants', posted by robxblue on March 14, 2013, at 11:34:07
Posted by robxblue on March 14, 2013, at 12:18:09
In reply to heavy duty but zyprexa (nm), posted by b2chica on March 14, 2013, at 12:06:21
Thanks! Unfortunately Abilify and Seroquel made things worse (anything that increases serotonin makes me manic) so I don't think Zyprexa would be an option since it works in a similar way I think. I appreciate it though!
Posted by SLS on March 14, 2013, at 12:43:39
In reply to Rapid Cycling Friendly 'Antidepressants', posted by robxblue on March 14, 2013, at 11:34:07
In the past, Wellbutrin had been considered to be the antidepressant least likely to trigger mania. I'm not sure the extent to which this is true.
> I'm wondering if you all have any suggestions on other options including supplements or somatic therapies to help depression without triggering mania and cycling?
A friend of mine has had good luck with adding agomelatine to Keppra and Trileptal to control his rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. He cycled between hypomania and severe depression once every 15 days.
Are you able to tolerate higher dosages of lithium?
- Scott
Posted by b2chica on March 14, 2013, at 14:42:18
In reply to Re: heavy duty but zyprexa, posted by robxblue on March 14, 2013, at 12:18:09
sure its worth a shot. its the only med that really works for me, except this last time i gained 35lbs in 3 mo.... but i stayed on it from oct to feb. Spring i do better (normally).
anyway. abilify was HORRIBLE for me. extreme physical aggitation, anger, manicy crap.
and seroquel was great at knocking me out but made me dumb as a box of hammers.ask some others how the zyprexa works compared to those two.
all i know is that i can take zyprexa and within 24-48 hours i start getting relief.
and most meds that i've tried i cant take because it increases serotonin (SSRI's) are all out. although Effexor was prob one of the worst i've been on, Pristiq has been great for the last couple years (for the most part). i need additional to get me over the bump.I wish you the Best.
these quys here will help you figure out something.
and btw, SLS is the Best!he always has a great knowledgeable shout out.
b2c
> Thanks! Unfortunately Abilify and Seroquel made things worse (anything that increases serotonin makes me manic) so I don't think Zyprexa would be an option since it works in a similar way I think. I appreciate it though!
Posted by robxblue on March 14, 2013, at 16:46:53
In reply to Re: heavy duty but zyprexa, posted by b2chica on March 14, 2013, at 14:42:18
Thanks for the encouragement! I am a challenging case, but if I was able to finally find something that stopped the manic side of things, there has to be something that can make the depression just a little better for me.
Thanks a bunch! :)
me, except this last time i gained 35lbs in 3 mo.... but i stayed on it from oct to feb. Spring i do better (normally).
>
> anyway. abilify was HORRIBLE for me. extreme physical aggitation, anger, manicy crap.
> and seroquel was great at knocking me out but made me dumb as a box of hammers.
>
> ask some others how the zyprexa works compared to those two.
> all i know is that i can take zyprexa and within 24-48 hours i start getting relief.
> and most meds that i've tried i cant take because it increases serotonin (SSRI's) are all out. although Effexor was prob one of the worst i've been on, Pristiq has been great for the last couple years (for the most part). i need additional to get me over the bump.
>
> I wish you the Best.
> these quys here will help you figure out something.
> and btw, SLS is the Best!
>
> he always has a great knowledgeable shout out.
>
> b2c
>
>
> > Thanks! Unfortunately Abilify and Seroquel made things worse (anything that increases serotonin makes me manic) so I don't think Zyprexa would be an option since it works in a similar way I think. I appreciate it though!
>
>
Posted by linkadge on March 14, 2013, at 18:05:46
In reply to Re: heavy duty but zyprexa, posted by robxblue on March 14, 2013, at 16:46:53
Wow! You are on a lot of mood stabilizers.
Um, you might try scopolamine. It does not raise monoamines it blocks acetylcholine. It has been shown to lift bipolar depression.
Melatonin might be another option. It can help depression and has anticonvulsant / antimanic effects. Some have found it to reduce mania and/or augment anticonvulsants.
Other possiblities zinc, magnesium, folic acid, omega-3, bright light, partial sleep deprivation, creatine, co-q10, taurine, ginger root, PEA / selegiline, negative ion therapy.
Linkadge
Posted by robxblue on March 15, 2013, at 19:14:05
In reply to Re: heavy duty but zyprexa, posted by robxblue on March 14, 2013, at 16:46:53
Thanks SLS! Im nervous about anything that increases serotonin, like agomelatine, but I'll add it to my list to discuss with my pdoc.
I didn't tolerate higher doses of lithium BUT that was before I was taking Tegretol and Keppra, so maybe it would be different taken with those? Im certainly willing to try...
I appreciate your input.
> Thanks for the encouragement! I am a challenging case, but if I was able to finally find something that stopped the manic side of things, there has to be something that can make the depression just a little better for me.
>
> Thanks a bunch! :)
>
> me, except this last time i gained 35lbs in 3 mo.... but i stayed on it from oct to feb. Spring i do better (normally).
> >
> > anyway. abilify was HORRIBLE for me. extreme physical aggitation, anger, manicy crap.
> > and seroquel was great at knocking me out but made me dumb as a box of hammers.
> >
> > ask some others how the zyprexa works compared to those two.
> > all i know is that i can take zyprexa and within 24-48 hours i start getting relief.
> > and most meds that i've tried i cant take because it increases serotonin (SSRI's) are all out. although Effexor was prob one of the worst i've been on, Pristiq has been great for the last couple years (for the most part). i need additional to get me over the bump.
> >
> > I wish you the Best.
> > these quys here will help you figure out something.
> > and btw, SLS is the Best!
> >
> > he always has a great knowledgeable shout out.
> >
> > b2c
> >
> >
> > > Thanks! Unfortunately Abilify and Seroquel made things worse (anything that increases serotonin makes me manic) so I don't think Zyprexa would be an option since it works in a similar way I think. I appreciate it though!
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by herpills on March 17, 2013, at 15:00:15
In reply to Rapid Cycling Friendly 'Antidepressants', posted by robxblue on March 14, 2013, at 11:34:07
Have you tried Lamictal?
Posted by robxblue on March 17, 2013, at 15:55:34
In reply to Re: Rapid Cycling Friendly 'Antidepressants' » robxblue, posted by herpills on March 17, 2013, at 15:00:15
Yes, I tried Lamictal...small dose made me manic. It felt like a super stimulant
This is the end of the thread.
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