Posted by chloe on August 31, 2001, at 20:16:10
In reply to Re: Choice of a mood stabilizer + BDZs ? Lithium ? » jimmygold70, posted by Mitch on August 31, 2001, at 18:02:53
Jimmy,
In my humble opinion, Tegretol, Depakote and Lithium are all horrible. And I don't think one will make you feel less tired than the next when a benzo is added. (But if I have to chose one for me and my BP 2 and BPD, I would go with Dep., since for me the side effects are the least awful.)You will not know how you feel on Lithium unless you try it. But frequent urination is a hallmark of this drug, along with hand tremor, nausea, etc. For some it has some AD effect, though I would say the majority of folks I have talked to on it, say they just feel "blah". That was definitely my experience!
Fortunately for me, after years on all three of the AC's above (at different times), I have successfully weaned off them, and am now on Neurontin for mood stabilization. It by no means if perfect, but in the side effect department, it is so much easier to tolerate! It's is mildly sedating and calming, and may even allow you to decrease your benzo dose. Though your doctor is not into the newer AC's, hopefully he would consider this one...
I wish everyday there were some better options out there. I think the old AC's are tough to tolerate, and not terrible effective over the long term for BPD.
Best of luck to you...
chloe
poster:chloe
thread:77092
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010828/msgs/77161.html