Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 10812

Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

lithium alternatives (due to side effects)?

Posted by Katy on August 30, 1999, at 17:55:37

I've taken lithium 900mg twice a day for eight years for the
diagnosis of bipolar II. Hand tremors have been a
problem virtually the entire time, as well as muscular
weakness and weight gain. Admittedly, I eat too much
and rarely exercise, but I'm only 36 years old and have
no health problems, so I think lithium has a real effect.
Basically, although I realize that the weight
gain could be partially due to the hypothyroidism that lithium can
bring on, my contribution is still the most
influential. Incidentally, I take 40-60mg of Nadalol
nightly to counter the the tremors. When I tell my doctor
that my tremors are still a problem, she just suggests
adding 20 mg of Nadalol which I fear just sedates me more
and I dislike this very much.
What have others taken for Bipolar II? What side effects
have you experienced and how have they been countered
etc.?
Thank you!
Katy

 

Re: lithium alternatives (due to side effects)?

Posted by Sean on August 31, 1999, at 12:40:33

In reply to lithium alternatives (due to side effects)?, posted by Katy on August 30, 1999, at 17:55:37

> I've taken lithium 900mg twice a day for eight years for the
> diagnosis of bipolar II. Hand tremors have been a
> problem virtually the entire time, as well as muscular
> weakness and weight gain. Admittedly, I eat too much
> and rarely exercise, but I'm only 36 years old and have
> no health problems, so I think lithium has a real effect.
> Basically, although I realize that the weight
> gain could be partially due to the hypothyroidism that lithium can
> bring on, my contribution is still the most
> influential. Incidentally, I take 40-60mg of Nadalol
> nightly to counter the the tremors. When I tell my doctor
> that my tremors are still a problem, she just suggests
> adding 20 mg of Nadalol which I fear just sedates me more
> and I dislike this very much.
> What have others taken for Bipolar II? What side effects
> have you experienced and how have they been countered
> etc.?
> Thank you!
> Katy

Have you looked into Valproate, Carbemazepine,
Verapamil, Gabapentin, and Lamotrigine? These are
drugs originally designed for epilepsy that work
well for mood swings. Good luck...

Sean.

 

Re: lithium alternatives (due to side effects)?

Posted by Katy on August 31, 1999, at 16:51:31

In reply to Re: lithium alternatives (due to side effects)?, posted by Sean on August 31, 1999, at 12:40:33

> > I've taken lithium 900mg twice a day for eight years for the
> > diagnosis of bipolar II. Hand tremors have been a
> > problem virtually the entire time, as well as muscular
> > weakness and weight gain. Admittedly, I eat too much
> > and rarely exercise, but I'm only 36 years old and have
> > no health problems, so I think lithium has a real effect.
> > Basically, although I realize that the weight
> > gain could be partially due to the hypothyroidism that lithium can
> > bring on, my contribution is still the most
> > influential. Incidentally, I take 40-60mg of Nadalol
> > nightly to counter the the tremors. When I tell my doctor
> > that my tremors are still a problem, she just suggests
> > adding 20 mg of Nadalol which I fear just sedates me more
> > and I dislike this very much.
> > What have others taken for Bipolar II? What side effects
> > have you experienced and how have they been countered
> > etc.?
> > Thank you!
> > Katy
>
> Have you looked into Valproate, Carbemazepine,
> Verapamil, Gabapentin, and Lamotrigine? These are
> drugs originally designed for epilepsy that work
> well for mood swings. Good luck...
>
> Sean.

No, I haven't. Thank you very much for the tip.
I see my psychiatrist today. Again, your taking
the time to respond to my question is much appreciated.
Are you aware of any particularly good support groups
for bipolar disorder. Until now I didn't feel comortable
with this.
Katy

 

Re: lithium alternatives (due to side effects)?

Posted by Sean on August 31, 1999, at 17:15:05

In reply to Re: lithium alternatives (due to side effects)?, posted by Katy on August 31, 1999, at 16:51:31

> > > I've taken lithium 900mg twice a day for eight years for the
> > > diagnosis of bipolar II. Hand tremors have been a
> > > problem virtually the entire time, as well as muscular
> > > weakness and weight gain. Admittedly, I eat too much
> > > and rarely exercise, but I'm only 36 years old and have
> > > no health problems, so I think lithium has a real effect.
> > > Basically, although I realize that the weight
> > > gain could be partially due to the hypothyroidism that lithium can
> > > bring on, my contribution is still the most
> > > influential. Incidentally, I take 40-60mg of Nadalol
> > > nightly to counter the the tremors. When I tell my doctor
> > > that my tremors are still a problem, she just suggests
> > > adding 20 mg of Nadalol which I fear just sedates me more
> > > and I dislike this very much.
> > > What have others taken for Bipolar II? What side effects
> > > have you experienced and how have they been countered
> > > etc.?
> > > Thank you!
> > > Katy
> >
> > Have you looked into Valproate, Carbemazepine,
> > Verapamil, Gabapentin, and Lamotrigine? These are
> > drugs originally designed for epilepsy that work
> > well for mood swings. Good luck...
> >
> > Sean.
>
> No, I haven't. Thank you very much for the tip.
> I see my psychiatrist today. Again, your taking
> the time to respond to my question is much appreciated.
> Are you aware of any particularly good support groups
> for bipolar disorder. Until now I didn't feel comortable
> with this.
> Katy

Katy -

I stumbled upon this site by accident and it has
turned out to be great for me in terms of thinking
about meds. I'm also sometimes very touched by
the emotional support that goes on too, so keep
it bookmarked.

For bipolar specific support, there is Pendulum
Resources, Fire and Ice, and Walkers in Darkness.
I don't know the URL's, but I was a visitor to
these sites for a while. Maybe try using a search
engine. Take care,

Sean.

 

Re: lithium alternatives (due to side effects)?

Posted by yardena on August 31, 1999, at 18:04:45

In reply to Re: lithium alternatives (due to side effects)?, posted by Sean on August 31, 1999, at 17:15:05

There is also Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association, DRADA, out of Johns Hopkins, if you are in the area. And other groups like it elsewhere. I have begun thinking about going to some support group, too, but have as of yet not been able to get myself to do so. I have found this site supportive, too.

 

Re: lithium alternatives (due to side effects)?

Posted by JohnL on September 1, 1999, at 17:25:10

In reply to lithium alternatives (due to side effects)?, posted by Katy on August 30, 1999, at 17:55:37

Katy, this is probably too late since you've probably already seen your doc by now. I just wanted to put a plug in for Lamictal (Lamotrigine). It is one of the new generation anticonvulsants used to treat bipolar. It also happens to have considerable antidepressant qualities. I find at a medium dose there are no side effects at all. To find out more: Choose "tips" at the top of the PsychoBabble page. Then follow the instructions to do a search on Lamictal or Lamotrigine. Or, just push search without entering anything in the box. You'll see a large list of doctor discussions and links you can brouse through, including Lamictal, mood stabilizers, etc. etc. Check it out. It's a masterpiece by Dr Bob unequalled in the industry. JohnL.

 

Re: lithium alternatives (due to side effects)?

Posted by Laura on December 7, 1999, at 13:05:05

In reply to lithium alternatives (due to side effects)?, posted by Katy on August 30, 1999, at 17:55:37

> I've taken lithium 900mg twice a day for eight years for the
> diagnosis of bipolar II. Hand tremors have been a
> problem virtually the entire time, as well as muscular
> weakness and weight gain. Admittedly, I eat too much
> and rarely exercise, but I'm only 36 years old and have
> no health problems, so I think lithium has a real effect.
> Basically, although I realize that the weight
> gain could be partially due to the hypothyroidism that lithium can
> bring on, my contribution is still the most
> influential. Incidentally, I take 40-60mg of Nadalol
> nightly to counter the the tremors. When I tell my doctor
> that my tremors are still a problem, she just suggests
> adding 20 mg of Nadalol which I fear just sedates me more
> and I dislike this very much.
> What have others taken for Bipolar II? What side effects
> have you experienced and how have they been countered
> etc.?
> Thank you!
> Katy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neurontin, Neurontin, Neurontin!!!! It saved my LIFE!

 

RE:lithium/neruontin details

Posted by NHGrandma on December 8, 1999, at 15:05:22

In reply to Re: lithium alternatives (due to side effects)?, posted by Laura on December 7, 1999, at 13:05:05


> Neurontin, Neurontin, Neurontin!!!! It saved my LIFE!

Would you be willing to give details on your experience with neruontin?

 

Re: lithium alternatives (due to side effects)?

Posted by Noa on December 9, 1999, at 6:28:18

In reply to Re: lithium alternatives (due to side effects)?, posted by Sherry on December 9, 1999, at 4:50:21

Sherry, I, too have thought about going to a DRADA meeting, but haven't had the nerve. I guess, also, I find so much support on this board, I haven't felt the need for an in-person support group that strongly, since I started frequenting babble in the summer.

 

Re: RE:lithium/neruontin details

Posted by Laura on December 9, 1999, at 11:36:39

In reply to RE:lithium/neruontin details, posted by NHGrandma on December 8, 1999, at 15:05:22

>
> > Neurontin, Neurontin, Neurontin!!!! It saved my LIFE!
>
> Would you be willing to give details on your experience with neruontin?

NHGrandma....

I began Neurontin about a year and a half ago, after *finally*( raise the Lord) being Diagnosed with Bipolar. I did not want to try Lithium because I had heard many side effects from it. A friend of mine, also BP, was on Neurontin and SWORE by it, so I asked Pdoc. if i could try it. They put me on it, within 3 weeks my high's were gone.. ended up, at the time I was actually just manic. Eneded up crashing and trying to kill myself, they up'd my doese of Neurontin to 2400 mgs's a day.. within 2 weeks, I KNEW it was the drug for me. No highs, and it has continued to help. It was the first and HOPEFULLY the last mood stabalizer I will ever have to be on. I get scared all the time that one day I will wake up and it'll have stopped working.
It completely evens out my highs. My low's on the other hand, took awhile to get under control. I am a very rapid cycler and they did not put me on an Anti-Depressent for about 8 months after starting Neurontin because they were afraid the Anti-depressent would throw me into a high.
I have also found the perfect Anti-depressent(for ME at least), Celexa. I have been on that for about 6-7 months now and my suicidle lows are GONE.


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