Posted by SusanB on September 29, 2002, at 15:24:34
In reply to Re: Bipolar wanting to try new medication, posted by Ken Robinson on February 6, 2002, at 18:31:32
Dear Ken,
This is months after your original post and I'm not sure if you'll get this but this is my experience. I'm 52, also with a child (he's 13) and I've also been married for 20 years. My illness wasn't diagnosed until 8 years ago and I have been on every medication imaginable. A depression a year ago lasted for 8 months. It had become intolerable and a new doctor prescribed Adderall, a stimulant. Within one day, I felt better, and it didn't switch into a hypomania. I had already tried almost every mood stabilizer out there, including Lithium, Depakote, Tegretol, Lamictal, Neutrontin and others. None had worked. Eventually, we retried Depakote and it seems to be working. But once again, we are experimenting with medications for the depression. The Adderall seems to poop out but it is still having some effect. I am now on Depakote (750 mg), Adderall (60 mg), Wellbutrin (200--a larger dosaged changed my personality and I lost all patience), and Lexapro (10 mg.) This combination is not quite working. I don't think the Lexapro is doing anything (we're going to up the dosage, and we may have to change the Adderall. What I just wanted to tell you was that for me, taking a stimulant was a life-saver. My other doctor was so concerned about the hypomanias that he never truly focused on the depressions, which were lengthy and intense. Hope all these months later, you've found something that works for you.Susan
poster:SusanB
thread:92840
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020922/msgs/121534.html