Posted by fluffy on May 21, 2003, at 10:39:55
In reply to Re: Help! I think I may be manic! » garylee, posted by katia on May 19, 2003, at 13:23:44
Hi Katia--
Sorry for not replying back sooner. Oh, there are many things to learn about meds and such. Yes--Lamictal is sometimes used for BPII or BPI as an add on to Lithium, Depakote or Tegretol. Most of these drugs are anti-epilepsy drugs. They work on most BP people. You may have to work for awhile to figure out what drug or combination works for you. The hardest thing for me to accept beyond my diagnosis was the guinea pig part--having to try drugs that sometimes didn't work or made me feel worse.
My only advice to you on the drugs (since I am not a psychiatrist) would be to beware of anti-depressants (esp. SSRI's which you had a bad experience with). It sounds like Serzone isn't doing you any favors either. I had a mixed state when I was put on AD's. (VERY agitated, angry, self-critical, suicidal, unable to sleep, pacing, ruminating thoughts). Sounds like you may be having the same. If you are indeed BP, then you need to rely primarily on mood stabilizers. Lamictal is an anti-convulsant (which are often called mood stabilizers), but it has anti-depressant properties that seem to benefit many BP people (myself included).
If a drug is making you feel bad, maybe you should call a doc and decide if you should discontinue. Trust how you feel--do you normally feel THIS agitated during PMS?
I understand because I did the same thing--I wanted drugs to work so badly that I would justify feeling bad with re-diagnosing myself (thinking--I just have panic disorder, or I just need to relax and have a vacation, or PMS, etc.) I ended up feeling so horrible that I was seriously contemplating suicide!! Please call someone if you are feeling this badly!! Don't wait for a doc!!
I am going to give you a link which was extremely helpful to me. Also, if you are well enough to go to a library or bookstore, there is a book that was helpful when I was first diagnosed. I have to find the exact title.
Please take care!!
Katy
poster:fluffy
thread:225051
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030520/msgs/228058.html