Posted by Nigel on November 16, 2001, at 17:07:06
In reply to Re: Manic after Serzone » Nigel, posted by judy1 on November 14, 2001, at 16:18:54
> I really think you need a second opinion- since this is your only manic episode and it occurred after taking an AD, I would think stopping the AD rather than putting you on a fairly high dose (I don't know what your blood levels are?) of lithium makes more sense. Did they rule out any organic causes- EEG, MRI, etc. Depakote has a much lower side-effect profile than lithium if organic causes are ruled out and a bipolar specialist feels you need to be on a mood stabilizer (which would really shock me). Best of luck- judy
Thanks for responding, Judy. I was taken off the Serzone immediately after the manic status was diagnosed and plunged into depression with Olanzapine. Then after three weeks or so I was started on Lithium. And certainly there has been no recurrence of mania. I felt a lot better almost right away. But then the side effects showed up.
I am seeking a referral to the Mood Disorders Clinic at the Psychiatric Hospital but there is a two year waiting list I am told.
My GP uses Topirimate mostly for bipolar patients. I have seen Depakote mentioned in a lot of the literature and will ask my shrink about it as an alternative.
I am very curious about research which has been done of the role of SSRIs in mania. If the mania that I experienced was medication induced then the treatment required must surely be different than where people have suffered from a bipolar disorder from a relatievely young age, for example.
Nigel
poster:Nigel
thread:84270
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011113/msgs/84446.html