Posted by AMenz on June 21, 2001, at 11:48:31
In reply to What's worked 4 folks 4 BP II or other maladies?, posted by Kingfish on June 21, 2001, at 10:32:20
I'm glad you're posting this message, because I have the same problems and have not received more than one answer to my last couple of posts.
I can tell you this much about your cocktail. If you're BPII are you cycling- I think that's what you mean when you say you need a stabilizer. The cycling is most likely caused by the AD (Celexa). Do a search on the web on bipolar depression and you'll see a number of physicians concurring that AD will throw fuel on the fire of cycling. As my last and current psychiatrist (been through 4 in 2 years) finally acknowledged. Wellbutrin I haven't tried but if it's an AD it's likely to cause cycling. Discuss this issue in detail with your doc, before you find yourself in a cycle of try this medicine then that one to counter the cycling brought on by the AD when taking off the AD or reducing it substantially will do the trick. Also look in pharmacology tips for this issue.
I've been on seven mood stabilizers, in two years only to have the cycling stop when on my own initiative after all my research I cut my Zoloft to half (50mg) It certainly did the trick of stabilizing me.
Needless to say I am fuming at all these doctors that did not bother to recommend this although each one of them ostensibly knew this.
I have comorbid social anxiety, so now I have other problems without the Zoloft, but if you do not have an anxiety disorder this might be the answer.
Also you might want to look at the bipolar disorder algorith in the Mass General Hosp. site.
They seem to advocate, as do at least two of these doctors that bipolars should be on Li or Divalproex as the basic drug, augmented if necessary by Neurontin etc. But Topomax Neurotin etc should not be first line stabilizers.That proved true with me.
I think I've written too long a reply.but it's my style. Hope it helps.
A.
> Hi all! I just thought it would be great to get a thread going on folks' successful, or somewhat successful, cocktails for Bipolar II, or any "malady" (is that a good word to use? It sounds so "old world", like someone lying back on a fainting couch).
>
> I, myself, am getting frustrated again because my mix of Celexa, 40 mg, Neurontin, 2400 mg, and Topamax, 250 mg, has worked, except for sedation (caused by the Topamax) which is getting worse again, and, frankly, it doesn't seem to be working as well as it was. And after only a few months? That seems a little discouraging. I mainly need a stabilizer, and apparently something activating, though not Wellbutrin - it is not my friend.
>
> So, if anyone is interested, I would be greatly appreciative, and curious.
>
> Also, it always helps to know others have gone through this endless struggle of finding the right combo.
>
> Thanks so much!
>
> - K.
poster:AMenz
thread:67368
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010618/msgs/67379.html