Posted by Cam W. on April 1, 2000, at 1:36:22
In reply to Cam, something besides mood stabilizers, posted by Amanda S on March 31, 2000, at 14:18:46
Amanda - Alternatives to mood stabilizers would be Zyprexa, Clozaril and, to a lesser extent Risperdal. Unfortunately, you will be trading one set of side effects (esp. alopecia - hair loss) for another possible set (esp. weight gain, possibly leading to cardiac and hyperglycemia problems, with Zyprexa; weight gain, sedation, constipation, noctural salivation and frequent blood tests with Clozaril; prolactin increases leading to possible hormonal problems, EPS and other movement disorders with Risperdal). Clozaril and Zyprexa have been shown in clinical trials to be excellent mood stabilizers.You could try various benzodiazepines (Clonazepam, Lorazepam, Alprazolam), but you will probably get cognitive problems and sedation at therapeutic mood stabilization doses. You may go through life with a drugged feeling, as well. Also, there is the ever present risk (albeit slight in most cases) of addiction.
You could try Buspar, but it probably doesn't work that well in mood stabilization (or for most anything else, for that matter - my opinion).
Maybe you could try some of the antidepressants, especially the SSRIs, but now I am grasping at straws. Antidepressants also run the risk of manic switch.
One thing that you should determine is if the hair loss is really due to the Lamictal or to some other mechanism (eg hormonal srew-up, genetics, etc.). It does seem that Lamictal may cause hair loss, but I would still like to see clinical trials in which Lamictal, as a monotherapy, is 'proven' to cause alopecia. Anecdotal evidence can be misleading (eg ancedotally Neurontin - gabapentin - was thought to be a good mood stabilizer, but randomized, controlled double-blind studies have failed to bear this out).
Sorry Amanda, there is no easy, quick fix for your problem. You do have to voice your concerns with your doctor, though. Since he/she hasn't returned you call, write him/her a long letter stating your concerns and ask him to suggest ways to alleviate them or if he can help at all. Draft a formal letter (using several drafts) to state your concerns as eloquently as possible. For an added touch, you could send it by registered mail. That should get your doc's attention.
Good luck in you endeavors - Cam W.
poster:Cam W.
thread:28566
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000321/msgs/28617.html