![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sheilac on October 9, 2012, at 18:12:09
Someone mentioned in an earlier post about adding low dose Geodon for motivation and depression.
I take and love Trileptal and was thinking of adding low dose lithium for depression.
However, after reading a post about low dose Geodon, I wonder which is more optimal for low grade depression, given that antidepressants aren't an option.
What would you add to Trileptal? Lithium or Geodon?
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 9, 2012, at 18:49:56
In reply to Geodon or lithium?, posted by Sheilac on October 9, 2012, at 18:12:09
I'd try Geodon first (say 20mg bid) and if that doesnt cut it, switch over to lithium....mainly based on side effects
Posted by phidippus on October 12, 2012, at 17:39:47
In reply to Geodon or lithium?, posted by Sheilac on October 9, 2012, at 18:12:09
I would add Lithium, only because Geodon can be a little tricky. Geodon likes to be a bunch of things-its an SNRI, a 5ht1a partial agonist and an antipsychotic. So you never know wht you're gonna get at any given dose.
What's wrong with Wellbutrin?
Eric
Posted by sheilac on October 13, 2012, at 8:42:49
In reply to Re: Geodon or lithium? » Sheilac, posted by phidippus on October 12, 2012, at 17:39:47
Actually, I decided to add Lithium.
So now, I am taking 300mg Lith a day and 300mg Trileptal a day. The addition of Lithium seems to really help. I remember before when I was on Lithium my family really responded positively, even though they didn't know I added Lithium at the time.
I also can take 2mg of Klonopin a day.
The low doses of both seem to work well together for me. If I go higher on either I get irritating side effects.
It's amazing how just 300mg of Lithium makes me feel mellow.
Posted by SLS on October 13, 2012, at 9:28:55
In reply to Update: Geodon or lithium?, posted by sheilac on October 13, 2012, at 8:42:49
> Actually, I decided to add Lithium.
>
> So now, I am taking 300mg Lith a day and 300mg Trileptal a day. The addition of Lithium seems to really help. I remember before when I was on Lithium my family really responded positively, even though they didn't know I added Lithium at the time.
>
> I also can take 2mg of Klonopin a day.
>
> The low doses of both seem to work well together for me. If I go higher on either I get irritating side effects.
>
> It's amazing how just 300mg of Lithium makes me feel mellow.300 mg/day of lithium is the magic number for me, too. It acts like a mild antidepressant and reduces mood fluctuations.
I am smiling at the thought of your having found a treatment regime that works for you. I know it was rough going for awhile.
I am somewhat surprised by how low the dosage is of Trileptal that you find effective. You know yourself best. You can always tweak the dosage of Trileptal if you become hypomanic.
What are all the drugs you are taking now?
I hope you get better and better. You might improve much more, now that you are allowing the brain to accommodate to a consistent application of medication. You might experience some variability in your mood from time to time early in treatment, but try not to be impulsive in making treatment changes as a result. Recovery from depression or bipolar disorder is not always a smooth one. Expect minor to moderate mood fluctuations along the way. Of course, you might not experience this at all. That would be nice.
Get well and stay well.
- Scott
Posted by phidippus on October 13, 2012, at 17:25:32
In reply to Update: Geodon or lithium?, posted by sheilac on October 13, 2012, at 8:42:49
Yay!
Eric
Posted by sheilac on October 14, 2012, at 12:39:35
In reply to Re: Update: Geodon or lithium? » sheilac, posted by SLS on October 13, 2012, at 9:28:55
Yea, 300mg Lith really helps my moods without making my hair fall out or messing up my thyroid.
I could probably go up on the Trileptal. Trileptal just has some nasty side effects of making my skin itchy (feel like I want to itch my face off). I could probably go up to 450mg without this happening, but at 600mg of Trileptal I start itching all over.
So for now:
300mg Lith a day
300mg Trileptal a day
2mg Klonopin a day (usually around dinner)Sometimes 1.5 - 3mg of Melatonin for sleep.
I'm feeling good, without feeling drugged. The only minor issue I still have is anxiety. Not sure about taking more Klonopin - I don't want it to make me depressed.
My doc thinks I have some OCD/ADD and gave me some low dose Ritalin, but I haven't taken it due to feeling anxious - I didn't want to pop a Ritalin and feel even more anxious.
Not sure how else to address the anxiety. I have had anxiety since I can remember (at least since the age of 5). Anxiety and depression have been a viscous circle - first anxiety followed by depression.
Any ideas on how to deal with that one last piece of the puzzle?
Wondering if going back to 3mg a day of Klonopin is the answer. 1mg during day for anxiety and 2mg at dinner to help relax for bed.
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.