Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 3110

Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Treatment for Bipolar Diorder

Posted by Polly on February 21, 1999, at 13:37:32

I am twenty eight years old and have been diagnosed with bipolar for two years. I have been on Lithium for the whole time but it was not reaching the required levels in my blood so that has been stopped. For the past week I have been on Carbamazipine but I have a seroius reation to that and had to stop. Does anyone know of any other mood stabilisers that may help?

 

Re: Treatment for Bipolar Diorder

Posted by Terry on February 21, 1999, at 21:00:38

In reply to Treatment for Bipolar Diorder, posted by Polly on February 21, 1999, at 13:37:32

Polly -- There are many drugs that can be used to treat bipolar disorder other than lithium and carbamazepine. I'm on Dekapote (Valproate), and there are other newer anticonvulsants being used now as well, such as Lamictal, Neurontin, and Topamax. You may have to try all of them or a combination to find one that works for you. Don't give up!

> I am twenty eight years old and have been diagnosed with bipolar for two years. I have been on Lithium for the whole time but it was not reaching the required levels in my blood so that has been stopped. For the past week I have been on Carbamazipine but I have a seroius reation to that and had to stop. Does anyone know of any other mood stabilisers that may help?

 

Re: Treatment for Bipolar Diorder

Posted by anonymous on February 21, 1999, at 21:10:17

In reply to Treatment for Bipolar Diorder, posted by Polly on February 21, 1999, at 13:37:32

> I am twenty eight years old and have been diagnosed with bipolar for two years. I have been on Lithium for the whole time but it was not reaching the required levels in my blood so that has been stopped. For the past week I have been on Carbamazipine but I have a seroius reation to that and had to stop. Does anyone know of any other mood stabilisers that may help?
There are a number of other meds- one of which is Depakote (divalproex). DOn't give up- it may take a while to find the right combination for you.

 

Re: Treatment for Bipolar Diorder

Posted by maria on March 5, 1999, at 12:43:59

In reply to Re: Treatment for Bipolar Diorder, posted by anonymous on February 21, 1999, at 21:10:17

I'm curious to know what your "serious reaction" was to carbamazapine. I too am 28 years old. I was diagnosed 10 years ago and put on lithium. Last year I switched to carbamzapine. When I started the treatment it made me EXREMELY uncomfortable. I wanted to stop taking it in the first as well because it made me feel horrible. My doctor convinced me to stick it out and now its working with no side affects whatsoever. I think its really hard to adjust to initially. You might want to give it another shot or try combining it with another mood stabilizer.

 

Re: Treatment for Bipolar Diorder

Posted by Elaine on March 6, 1999, at 14:58:46

In reply to Treatment for Bipolar Diorder, posted by Polly on February 21, 1999, at 13:37:32

> You probably have the list of meds you need from Terry and, of course, your MD or psych should know the whole arsenol. I just wanted to add that I was on carbamazepine (Tegretol) briefly once, but it actually worsened my moods. I felt very "on edge", and acted like it, too. I don't know how frequent this reaction is. The edginess immediately went away after I stopped the Tegretol. As I'm sure you know by now, meds work very differently depending upon our body's make up. It may be difficult until you find what works, but hang in there!

 

Re: Treatment for Bipolar Diorder

Posted by Ala on March 9, 1999, at 11:56:32

In reply to Treatment for Bipolar Diorder, posted by Polly on February 21, 1999, at 13:37:32

> I am twenty eight years old and have been diagnosed with bipolar for two years. I have been on Lithium for the whole time but it was not reaching the required levels in my blood so that has been stopped. For the past week I have been on Carbamazipine but I have a seroius reation to that and had to stop. Does anyone know of any other mood stabilisers that may help?

Definitely ask your doc about Depakote. I had the same problem you did with Carbamazepine. Depakote has kept me stable for the last few years, although I still have depressive episodes now and then, but the mania has been completely under control. Also ask your doc about all of the other possible new mood stabilizers, they are also used as anti-epileptics, but there is strong evidence that they work wonders for bipolar disorder. Whatever you do don't give up. And avoid Lithium if you can, it made me gain 50 pounds and gave me the runs!

:) Ala


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