Posted by Wendy B. on August 9, 2001, at 11:36:29
In reply to Anxiety, possible Bipolar - treatment options?, posted by beetle on August 7, 2001, at 21:20:25
> My doctor has diagnosed me in the past as having GAD + Depression, but on our last visit she thought that she felt I may be bipolar. I never thought I could be a "manic-depressive" until my symptoms seemed to lead in that direction. I've always had ups and downs, but the ups and downs have been getting higher and lower in the last couple of years. I was being given Neurontin (600mg 1x/day) and Celexa (20mg/day), but that mix of medications is not working like it used to. My doctor decided to switch me to Depakote(500mg/day) and stay with the Celexa at 20mg. I've been on the Depakote for a couple of weeks,and I seem more stable, but severe anxiety attacks are still happening, and my sleep patterns are terrible. I was using Doxepin 50mg at night for this, but it's not working anymore.
>
> Is there something I could add to fight the anxiety and insomnia? Is 500 mg of Depakote standard for bipolar?
Hey Beetle,What's up with your doctor? 600 mg of Neurontin is NADA, nothing. I'm on 2400, dosage spaced evenly during the day, and know people who are on a LOT more, up to even 4800, my shrink says. (I am bipolar as well.) If you are on a drug at such a low dose, the next treatment option should just be a higher dose of the same drug, not switching to another.
Sorry for the rant, but this really bugs me. Depakote is a really tough drug, weight gain and hair loss are 2 of the common side-effects. Neurontin is very easy on the system, and could really help with your anxiety.
If you choose to stay on the depakote, and your anxiety is still high, ask your doc for a benzodiazepine, such as Klonopin, or Xanax. Again, I can't believe she hasn't suggested them for you. Some doctors are afraid to prescribe them, because of their supposed addictive quality, but don't be deterred. If you need to, get another doc. You shouldn't have to live with such terrible symptoms. Xanax also helps for sleeping problems, too.
Read up on benzo's on the PsychoBabble Tips, if you don't know much about them. They work very well for many people. I take Xanax from time to time for anxiety, and it works quickly.
Let us know how it goes for you, and again, sorry for the ranting, I just can't believe some doctors...
Best,
Wendy
poster:Wendy B.
thread:74055
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010809/msgs/74334.html