Posted by Refractory on November 17, 1999, at 22:20:44
In reply to Re: Im cracked up, posted by JohnL on November 17, 1999, at 18:00:38
> Hi again Refractory.
>
> Getting little benefit from ADs, or actually getting worse on them as you did, hints at a bipolar condition rather than a pure depression. Based on what you've said, Lamictal took a giant leap into first place as the next trial for you, in my mind. It sounds like treating your symptoms with mood stabilizers makes a lot of sense. Lamictal is a very friendly one, and is gaining notice as having respectable antidepressant qualities. I just get real suspect that we're barking up the wrong tree when several ADs don't work at therapeutic doses/times. The reasons to try a mood stabilizer strategy sound compelling to me, based on your comments and your multiple failures on ADs with valid trials. And I think you should look into Lamictal as a first choice. Check out Dr Bobs Pharmacology 'tips' section for more info on Lamictal. Also good research on it at Depression Central. Links will take you there, once you've done a search on Lamictal in the 'tips' section. Check it out. I think you'll like what you read.I dont think so JohnL. I am not bipolar. I only get worse on ADs when I COMBINE antidepressants. Its like they block each other. Dont get worse on just one drug, improve some but not too much. I had to get screened for bipolar to get into the rTMS study. And have been to like 6 psychiatrists, and none said I was bipolar. The fact of the matter is that some of use just dont respond well to meds. I do get a partial response from just being on ONE med. Got a decent partial response from Effexor XR and Wellbutrin SR. I tried lithium and that is similar to lamictal and it actually made me worse. Made me more depressed.
Besides that Ive never had any mania. I sleep normally for a depressed person, dont go on any wild spending or sex sprees. Am actually a quite conservative person. I dont know where you got the idea of bipolar from.
All my symptoms are depression symptoms anyway. Not mania or even hypomania. Unless you consider irritability hypomania.I bet if I went on Lamictal I would be thinking about suicide a lot more, especially if I went on it without an antidepressant.
poster:Refractory
thread:15345
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991108/msgs/15418.html