Posted by jay on January 12, 2003, at 1:41:23
In reply to Amateur Shrinks and experienced Patients needed!, posted by Mr.Scott on January 11, 2003, at 20:34:05
Well...a couple of points, and don't forget...you don't have to take what your doctor suggests. Like me...you too also sound like you've been struggling with this for a long time, and I think with Bipolar Disorder, doctors still too often go by the 'classical' treatments offered in the DSM.
An important point, though, worth mentioning to your doctor is that Neurontin has been shown to be of very little use for *anything*. I can't recall the website, but the doctor on there mentions that after the makers of Neurontin where exposed with their half-arse 'studies', newer studies have even shown it to be less effective than placebo, and I know there must be a few around for Bipolar Disorder.
Another interesting, and tried and true, route is to try *two* mood stabalizers, along with a small amount of antidepressant. This, again, comes from the pdoc mentioned above...but I forget the website and his name.
I still am not convinced that BP2 and 3'ers *must* leave an antipressant out of their cocktail. I think the dose has to be carefully adjusted, but the depression has to be looked after as well. I know it is risky, and can complicate things, but I have *never* been satisfied with just a mood stabalizer.
So, I would at the very least, try to keep your antidepressant with a mood stabalizer, and *try* to get two prescribed if you can. I know there is some good literature supporting this, so you may want to try a medline search or something like that. Also, there is the angle to go with a antidepressant, an atypical ap, and a mood stabalizer. I also find benzodiazepines helpful in these cases, but I don't know if your doctor is anti-benzo, or what.
Good luck...and remember there *are* choices...no matter how many meds you've been through, and how many years as well. I recall reading it often takes 10 years to just find the right diagnosis and meds for BP'ers. I am into my second decade, and just *really* starting to experiment with meds
(as far as combos go, anyways), and notice that when you get feeling *well*...it is not something you have to worry about slipping away.Sorry for the long post...but I thought it would help. Let us know how you make out...and be assertive, but of course not aggressive, with your pdoc. Best wishes...
Jay
poster:jay
thread:135419
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030106/msgs/135476.html