Posted by tabitha on July 6, 2002, at 3:01:18
Hi everyone,
I'm bipolar II, taking Neurontin and Celexa. Before meds I was depressed most of the time, except hypomanic in the early summer. Being on ADs alone makes me hypomanic, and being on Neurontin alone didn't work (I was too depressed).
I've been pretty stable for 2 years on this combo, but lately I'm having bigger swings. I had a day where I was just about out of control with hypomania, and I've been suicidal for the first time in ages. I think the drugs are pooping out. The bad part is that in between the swings I feel a lot better than when I was more stable. My mind is sharper, and my creativity, sexuality, and spirituality are alive again after being totally dead when the meds were "working".
I went to the doctor and he wants to add Topamax on top of what I'm taking. I looked up the side effects and it looks to be one of the sedating and dumbing-down types. Not appealing at all. I told him my concerns about overall quality of life, and I don't think he heard me. It seemed like he thought I was saying I wanted to hang onto the highs. I don't even like the highs, my behavior embarasses me! I just don't want to be flat and stupid and dead and asexual. Who would?
Does anyone have any advice? I'm just not seeing any options right now. It seems like either live with the symptoms (not appealing) or live with the side effects (not appealing).
poster:tabitha
thread:111551
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020628/msgs/111551.html