Posted by Peter on April 1, 2002, at 2:08:27
Hi all:
To summarize, I've been on many cocktails working with the same pdoc for 7 years; I wanted a second opinion so I went to a consultation with someone else who stated his opinion that I simplify and try monotherapy with Lithium. I've been diagnosed with mild BPII/SP/panic/possible ADD. For years I was on depakote and klonopin, which stabilized me but left me a bit depressed/socially withdrawn. So my pdoc would prescribe me SSRI's for short-term therapy, but they usually, by increasing seratonin, created a dopamine-deficiency in me which caused me to crave alcohol/illicit drugs, and I'd have to taper off them. So, my pdoc started prescribing me adderall with the depakote and klonopin. It worked for awhile, but caused some instability&anxiety. So he replaced depakote with Neurontin, but it's not helping. That's when I decided to go get this second opinion, which was that I start Lithium. Well, it turned out that I was so terrified of taking lithium, with all it's precautions and blood monitering, especially without sufficient proof of my BP, that I decided, since my pdoc insisted I stay on a mood-stabilizer, that I was much more comfortable going back on depakote. What I'd like anyone's opinion on is the following plan I've proposed to my pdoc: 1) Go back to depakote as my stabilizer
2) stay on klonopin to ward off panic
3) Start an SSRI: I find I've always been able to function most on SSRI's over any other drug. They take away all my many phobias and anxieties and help me with my depressive dips.
4) Here's the added twist: stay on a stimulant, probably switching from adderall to dexedrine. The point of my wanting to stay on a stimulant is because, if in fact it's true that I always had to stop SSRI's because they induced emotional numbness and dopamine deficiency, the stimulant would surely make up for the deficiency. In turn, the SSRI could buffer any anxiety/agitation caused by the stimulant. This plan could thus possibly prolong SSRI treatment, and, essentially, help me with all the elements of my illness without my having to touch lithium, about which I'm apprehensive and really don't think is a drug for me.
Sorry for such a long post, but I'd really like to know people's opinions. Thanks.
Peter
poster:Peter
thread:101225
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020327/msgs/101225.html