Posted by AWorriedMom on June 9, 2003, at 20:22:17
In reply to Re: Which meds for mania and depression ?, posted by maxime on June 9, 2003, at 17:46:51
Thanks for your response.
A puzzlement with her blood levels is that she takes the meds. I give them to her myself with usually 8 oz of water. She takes other medications as well and doesn't seem to mind taking anything.
Could she have an abnormal metabolism of medication? The other terrible thing is that she has physical side effects from these medications with low benefits.
> Hello - First off, your daughter is very lucky to have a mom who cares so much about her mental health.
>
> I don't think your daughter is taking her meds. Her blood levels are low considering the high amount of meds she is suppose to be taking.
> First off, the lithium level is on the low side. I think .8 is what is usually aimed for but if someone wants to correct me on this I am ready to listen. Also, I thought the therapeutic level for Depakote was suppose to be between 70 to 150.
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> And if your daughter is taking her meds, the levels are still low so maybe she needs a higher dosage of both.
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> One thing you can do before the appointment is gain knowledge on the meds that are out there as a mood stabiliser (if you haven't already).
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> I suffer the same sort of mania as your daughter. Tegretol is suppose to be good for the "rage". I had side effects from the med and had to stop taking it, but I know that so many people have success with it. Also, Trileptal, which is related to Tegretol is suppose to be good for the irritability and rage. But my guess is that the doctor will want to start your daughter on Lamictal because it's mood stabiliser AND has anti-depressant properties.
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> Another thing you need to take into account is the Lexapro or any other anti-depressant she might be prescribed. SSRIs often make people with bipolar disorder slip into manic mode.
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> I hope I have helped somewhat. I am sure others will have suggestions as well.
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> Good luck.
>
> Maxime
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poster:AWorriedMom
thread:232648
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030609/msgs/232749.html