![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KathyA on October 23, 2002, at 12:01:49
I was diagnosed with Cyclothymia 15 years ago and have been thru many meds to control it to some success and with some side effects. Lithium worked initially but eventually "flat-lined" me (when you are used to the roller coaster it's hard to give it up completely). Tricyclics did not really work. Some SSRI's made me "numb" and apathetic (Zoloft,etc.), some made me jumpy, irritable and oversensitive (Effexor), some did not work (Serzone). I've been on Tegretol off and on for 13 years and it works fairly well, but I seem to still feel a little depressed all the time (even with an add-on anti-depressant) tho the mood swings are evened out. I've also gained weight on almost everything I've taken. My doctor just switched me from Effexor to Paxil but I don't think I can tolerate another med that makes me gain weight. He also wants to switch my tegetol to Neurontin. I'll be honest, one of the reasons I'm interested in Topamax is the weight loss aspect, but that can't be the only justification. Does anyone have any experience with meds for cyclothymia,particularly Topamax or Neurontin?
Posted by Kamikazi_Ladybug on October 23, 2002, at 12:44:00
In reply to Meds for Cyclothymia:Topamax?, posted by KathyA on October 23, 2002, at 12:01:49
I'll be honest I am not really sure what cyclothymia is, but in the tiny bit of looking it up I did I am guessing it is a mild form of bipolar?
I take Topamax and have for quite some time. I have not had the benefit of the weight loss (I actually have gained weight, until I reached 300 mgs). On the other hand I have had the benefit of stable moods. There are quite a few s/e from Topamax, for me, I can deal with them versus the roller coaster I was on. Yes, I will say alot of people have lost weight on this drug, but alot of people have also lost weight with diet and excersize changes as well. Some s/e include tingles in the feet/hands/face, hair loss, memory loss, word displacement (this one can get annoying, yet fun LOL..one night I asked my hubby to put the dogs to bed...we have NO dogs...we have CHILDREN LOL), taste changes, and for some appetite loss.
So, for me Topamax has been wonderful, for you it may too. Just remember choose wisely and for the right reasons.
Just my .02!
Ladybug
Posted by KathyA on October 23, 2002, at 16:26:11
In reply to Re: Meds for Cyclothymia:Topamax? » KathyA, posted by Kamikazi_Ladybug on October 23, 2002, at 12:44:00
Thanks for the response. Cyclothymia is similar to bipolar, I believe it may be considered "soft" bipolar. The extremes are not as pronounced. You didn't say what you were taking Topamax for; can I assume it was for bipolar? I also think I may have atypical depression as I stay a little depressed on Tegretol even after the mood swings even out. I've read that Topamax is sometimes used as a stand-alone antidepressant so thought maybe it would do more than Tegretol. Have you noticed any benefit like that since you've been taking it?
Posted by polarbear206 on October 24, 2002, at 12:16:16
In reply to Re: Meds for Cyclothymia:Topamax? » Kamikazi_Ladybug, posted by KathyA on October 23, 2002, at 16:26:11
> Thanks for the response. Cyclothymia is similar to bipolar, I believe it may be considered "soft" bipolar. The extremes are not as pronounced. You didn't say what you were taking Topamax for; can I assume it was for bipolar? I also think I may have atypical depression as I stay a little depressed on Tegretol even after the mood swings even out. I've read that Topamax is sometimes used as a stand-alone antidepressant so thought maybe it would do more than Tegretol. Have you noticed any benefit like that since you've been taking it?
>
KathyA,I also have cyclothymia with atypical depression features. Have you considered Lamictal? I've been on this drug and it has done wonders for me!! NO weight gain with this drug.
Laura.
Posted by KathyA on October 24, 2002, at 17:56:06
In reply to Re: Meds for Cyclothymia:Topamax? KathyA, posted by polarbear206 on October 24, 2002, at 12:16:16
> > Thanks for the response. Cyclothymia is similar to bipolar, I believe it may be considered "soft" bipolar. The extremes are not as pronounced. You didn't say what you were taking Topamax for; can I assume it was for bipolar? I also think I may have atypical depression as I stay a little depressed on Tegretol even after the mood swings even out. I've read that Topamax is sometimes used as a stand-alone antidepressant so thought maybe it would do more than Tegretol. Have you noticed any benefit like that since you've been taking it?
> >
>
>
> KathyA,
>
> I also have cyclothymia with atypical depression features. Have you considered Lamictal? I've been on this drug and it has done wonders for me!! NO weight gain with this drug.
>
> Laura.Laura,
Can you tell me more about Lamictal and its effects on your cyclothymia/AD? Does it let you feel normal? Are you taking anything else with it? Have you taken anything else before and what were the effects? Also, what led to your diagnosis of atypical depression as well as cyclothymia?
My doctor switched me from Effexor to Paxil 4 days ago because the Effexor was making me irritable. Now I feel as dull as a doorknob. I'm so tired of having to switch medicines. Between my cyclothymia and the various meds I'm not even sure what my personality is anymore. Or maybe it's just whatever's in the little pill bottle. Ever feel that way?
Kathy
Posted by polarbear206 on October 25, 2002, at 18:41:57
In reply to Re: Meds for Cyclothymia:Lamictal? KathyA » polarbear206, posted by KathyA on October 24, 2002, at 17:56:06
> > > Thanks for the response. Cyclothymia is similar to bipolar, I believe it may be considered "soft" bipolar. The extremes are not as pronounced. You didn't say what you were taking Topamax for; can I assume it was for bipolar? I also think I may have atypical depression as I stay a little depressed on Tegretol even after the mood swings even out. I've read that Topamax is sometimes used as a stand-alone antidepressant so thought maybe it would do more than Tegretol. Have you noticed any benefit like that since you've been taking it?
> > >
> >
> >
> > KathyA,
> >
> > I also have cyclothymia with atypical depression features. Have you considered Lamictal? I've been on this drug and it has done wonders for me!! NO weight gain with this drug.
> >
> > Laura.
>
> Laura,
>
> Can you tell me more about Lamictal and its effects on your cyclothymia/AD? Does it let you feel normal? Are you taking anything else with it? Have you taken anything else before and what were the effects? Also, what led to your diagnosis of atypical depression as well as cyclothymia?
>
> My doctor switched me from Effexor to Paxil 4 days ago because the Effexor was making me irritable. Now I feel as dull as a doorknob. I'm so tired of having to switch medicines. Between my cyclothymia and the various meds I'm not even sure what my personality is anymore. Or maybe it's just whatever's in the little pill bottle. Ever feel that way?
>
> Kathy
>
>Kathy,
I feel so much better taking lower doses of my antidepressants in combination with the lamictal. keep in mind that most antidepressants used alone with bipolar disorders can exacerbate your cyclothymnia. Mood stabilizers should be the MAIN medication. If an antidepressant is needed, the dose should be low. I took lithium and depakote in the past. I didn't have the good results with them that I have with lamictal. I feel NORMAL for once. My sleep and wake cycle are also normal. You have to titrate up on lamictal slowly. It has a narrow therapeutic window and it takes time and patience to get there. I take 100mg lamictal with 7.5mg of paxil and 50mg of imipramine. I was on double the dose of both of them prior to lamictal. Did you wein off the effexor slowly while adding the paxil? Whatch out for some withdrawal. Could be why you are feeling bad. How much paxil are you on? I have some good sites with information on lamictal and cyclothymia. Many of us bipolars have atypical depression with our low's.
Laurahttp://www.psycom.net/depression.central.html
Scroll down the page to cyclothymia.http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.lamotrigine.html
http://psycheducation.com/depression/frameset.html
Posted by KathyA on October 26, 2002, at 15:28:02
In reply to Re: Meds for Cyclothymia:Lamictal? KathyA, posted by polarbear206 on October 25, 2002, at 18:41:57
>
> Kathy,
>
> I feel so much better taking lower doses of my antidepressants in combination with the lamictal. keep in mind that most antidepressants used alone with bipolar disorders can exacerbate your cyclothymnia. Mood stabilizers should be the MAIN medication. If an antidepressant is needed, the dose should be low. I took lithium and depakote in the past. I didn't have the good results with them that I have with lamictal. I feel NORMAL for once. My sleep and wake cycle are also normal. You have to titrate up on lamictal slowly. It has a narrow therapeutic window and it takes time and patience to get there. I take 100mg lamictal with 7.5mg of paxil and 50mg of imipramine. I was on double the dose of both of them prior to lamictal. Did you wein off the effexor slowly while adding the paxil? Whatch out for some withdrawal. Could be why you are feeling bad. How much paxil are you on? I have some good sites with information on lamictal and cyclothymia. Many of us bipolars have atypical depression with our low's.
>
>
> Laura
>
> http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.html
> Scroll down the page to cyclothymia.
>
> http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.lamotrigine.html
>
> http://psycheducation.com/depression/frameset.html
>
>Laura,
Thanks! I'd seen two of those sites before but I looked at the third and it was very informative.
I did not wean off the Effexor as my doctor said I didn't need to if I was switching to another SSRI. Within 5 days I had crashed into a depression like I haven't seen for a long time. Last night I took a half dose of Effexor and I feel much better today, in fact quite good, maybe hypomanic. But it's definitely preferable. I guess I'd better get in to see my doctor a little sooner than planned. One more question: Have you (or anybody else out there) had any trouble with weight gain on Lamictal? Or has anybody combined Tegretol and Lamictal? Or switched from Tegretol to Lamictal? What were the effects?Thanks so much for your responses, Laura. I had no idea when I started this that it would mean so much to me.
Kathy
Posted by polarbear206 on October 28, 2002, at 15:38:25
In reply to Re: Lamictal vs. Tegretol » polarbear206, posted by KathyA on October 26, 2002, at 15:28:02
> >
> > Kathy,
> >
> > I feel so much better taking lower doses of my antidepressants in combination with the lamictal. keep in mind that most antidepressants used alone with bipolar disorders can exacerbate your cyclothymnia. Mood stabilizers should be the MAIN medication. If an antidepressant is needed, the dose should be low. I took lithium and depakote in the past. I didn't have the good results with them that I have with lamictal. I feel NORMAL for once. My sleep and wake cycle are also normal. You have to titrate up on lamictal slowly. It has a narrow therapeutic window and it takes time and patience to get there. I take 100mg lamictal with 7.5mg of paxil and 50mg of imipramine. I was on double the dose of both of them prior to lamictal. Did you wein off the effexor slowly while adding the paxil? Whatch out for some withdrawal. Could be why you are feeling bad. How much paxil are you on? I have some good sites with information on lamictal and cyclothymia. Many of us bipolars have atypical depression with our low's.
> >
> >
> > Laura
> >
> > http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.html
> > Scroll down the page to cyclothymia.
> >
> > http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.lamotrigine.html
> >
> > http://psycheducation.com/depression/frameset.html
> >
> >
>
> Laura,
>
> Thanks! I'd seen two of those sites before but I looked at the third and it was very informative.
> I did not wean off the Effexor as my doctor said I didn't need to if I was switching to another SSRI. Within 5 days I had crashed into a depression like I haven't seen for a long time. Last night I took a half dose of Effexor and I feel much better today, in fact quite good, maybe hypomanic. But it's definitely preferable. I guess I'd better get in to see my doctor a little sooner than planned. One more question: Have you (or anybody else out there) had any trouble with weight gain on Lamictal? Or has anybody combined Tegretol and Lamictal? Or switched from Tegretol to Lamictal? What were the effects?
>
> Thanks so much for your responses, Laura. I had no idea when I started this that it would mean so much to me.
>
> Kathy
Kathy,No weight gain with Lamictal. Most who post here don't gain with this drug.
Laura.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.