Posted by Elizabeth on September 11, 2001, at 15:26:08
In reply to Other options than AD's for depression?, posted by adamie on September 7, 2001, at 17:55:19
> I have read that anti convulsants can work if someone's depression is made worse by seratonin medications. but I'd like to know what else is out there.
That's true. Tegretol and Trileptal, as well as Lamictal, seem promising, particularly for agitated depression with some manic features. Consider lithium as well.
You might also think about targeting the endogenous opioid system, with full agonists like morphine, mu agonists like buprenorphine, or kappa agonists like Stadol. Opium was the very first antidepressant and has been used for thousands of years. Opioid antagonists (naltrexone, basically) also help some.
Another approach involves the use of antiglucocorticoid drugs. This appears to work selectively for people whose cortisol levels are not suppressed after administration of dexamethasone. (The test for this is called the "dexamethasone suppression test.")
Finally, trying Wellbutrin alone seems like a good idea. Other approaches include NE-selective ADs (desipramine, etc.) and dopaminergics (stimulants such as modafinil and amphetamine).
One other approach would be to try a triazolobenzodiazepine, such as Xanax or Deracyn.
Don't give up. I've tried far more things than you, and I eventually found something that works.
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:78203
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010907/msgs/78591.html