Posted by Mitch on July 7, 2001, at 15:44:11
In reply to Re: Sounds it like bipolar II ?, posted by ben on July 7, 2001, at 13:20:50
Ben,
Trileptal is a newer "cleaner" version of Tegretol (carbamazepine) which has been used as an anti-manic agent for a long time. Gabitril is also quite new. I haven't tried Lamictal-my pdoc is afraid of possible rash and I have sensitive skin so I am in no dire rush to try it. From what you write it sounds like you are more likely to be a treatment-intolerant person than treatment-resistant. If you haven't tried Neurontin I would recommend a low dose of that say 100mg 2x-3x a day to start and see how you react to it-it has the lowest side effect profile of the whole bunch and seems to work well for mixed depression/anxiety.
> Mitch
>
> I had a short trial with Klonopin but I experienced sedation of only 0.5 mg and unsteady walk. The Zoloft made me very agitated and nauseous all the time. I didnt read many reports about Trileptal and Gabitril as a mood stabilizer. Are these newer ones than Lamictal and Neurontin ? Did you take Lamictal ? It should theoretically have the most AD effect of the mood stabilizers (not for all as you said).
> ben
>
> > Ben,
> >
> > I take Neurontin 400mg/day, Klonopin 1.0mg/day,
> > Zoloft 12.5mg/day, nortriptyline 10mg/day. For
> > BP-II and social anxiety/panic. The nortrip is
> > there to settle down my guts from the Zoloft-and it helps my ADHD symptoms. It doesn't appear
> > from what you write below that you are taking a "standard" mood stabilizer. Neurontin, Gabitril, Trileptal, and Lithium are the only ones that had an AD effect on me.
> >
> >
> > > Mitch
> > >
> > > What are you taking for bipolar II ? I am depressed since 18 months without any remission..up and down, but the ups arent
> > > hypomanic they are euthymic. Is this really bipolar II ? My doc doesnt talk about diagnosis
> > > he talks about symptoms.
> > >
> > > ben
> > >
> > > > Ben,
> > > >
> > > > Yeah it sure does-I am bipolar as well. So your symptoms are predominantly depression and you are currently depressed now, right?
> > > >
> > > > I would avoid anti-psychotics until you have had a chance with some other mood stabilizers. Lamictal sounds like a good idea to me, given that you are touchy with nausea and sedation. Gabitril might be something that could help at low doses, too (it is a little "buzzy" and activating).
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Mitch
> > > >
> > > > > > Sounds it like bipolar II ?
> > > > > > I wonder if I am bipolar II because I never had mania, but before my depression begun (18 months ago) I had probably a hypomanic phase (increased activity, sex drive, angry and more talking). I am not sure about that. Since my dperession begun I never had a full remission and I always showed a response to several AD but pooped out very quickly. Increasing the dose showed the the sam thing.
> > > > > > I had a trial with Lithium to 100 mg (yes 100 mg !) Celexa but gave it up after 2 weeks of awful nausea and loss of appetite (serotonergic overstimulation ?). Since then I tried Flupentixol (0.5-1.5 mg) and Zyprexa (1.25 mg) as mood stabiliser. The Flupentixol worked about two weeks and pooped out and the same procedure with increasing the dose. I couldnt stick to Zyprexa because it hit me like a rock (sedation, dizziness and headache during the day).
> > > > > > Perhaps I should try Risperidone, Carbamazepine, Valproic acid or Lamotrigine ?
> > > > > > My doc sees the Lamictal for the next step, because I am very sensitive to side effects and I have some ruminating thoughts.
> > > > > > What do you think ?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Many thanks for your ideas and suggestions
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ben
poster:Mitch
thread:69193
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010701/msgs/69311.html