Posted by jellybean on November 16, 2002, at 17:36:18
In reply to oh, the combinations, posted by art1 on November 16, 2002, at 11:48:21
> I have bipolar disorder, but funtion at a fairly high level. It's not easy for me, with difficulty concentrating, irritability, and confusion. Not features conducive (sp) to my job. I have just started taking topomax at a dose of 25 mg in the am and will be titering up to 200 mg a day over the course of 2 months. I'm on quite a cocktail: Zyprexa, neurontin, and lamictal. I recently discontinued lithium and wellbutrin due to drug interactions. I'm hoping the topomax will help with my voracious appetite once I get to the full dose. The only side effect I've noticed is a dry mouth. I have good and bad days and am a rapid cycler. Has anyone heard of adding ritilin to the mix? My shrink has eluded to adding this to my regiment as I have problems initiating activity, have mostly depressive symptoms, and am quite apathic about almost everything. Responses would be appreciated.
> sincerely, art1Hi - I'm a (taking a professional break for now) counselor-with mostly forensic experience- so your post caught my eye! Well - if it helps, I had good luck with adding Adderall(same idea) to the mix - Ritalin didn't agree with me. Adderall brought me into focus. At that point in my drug journey I was taking topamax and celexa with adderall. A good combination at the time. Unfortunately, nothing seems to work "forever" for me - although topamax is still good. I now take topamax 150 mg (night to avoid drowsiness during day), lithium And- I am d/c-ing my anti-depressant (now it's paxil) for the first time in 10? years (I too lean HEAVILY towards the depressive) and I actually feel energized and happier than when I was on them. Not a side effect I expected. So, maybe they should not be taken 365 days a year? don't know. I was not able to curb my appetite or notice pounds slipping away with topamax and paxil in combo, but now that paxil is about out of the picture it's beginning to happen. I lost 50 pounds of drug weight(gained on depakote)while on topamax two years ago if that's any encouragement. Good luck to you. I know how hard it is to keep things going professionally when you're battling bipolar d/o symptoms as well as med side effects. I've been afraid to jump back on the horse professionally for the last 4 years. Just got sick of trying to deal with all the juggling of symptoms and side effects. But I am working and I'll do something professional again at some point soon I think. Take care and I hope Ritalin helps. -j
poster:jellybean
thread:50878
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021116/msgs/127956.html