Posted by Karen_kay on December 15, 2003, at 18:03:54
In reply to Re: Experiences with neurontin or depakote » Karen_kay, posted by Notalis on December 13, 2003, at 14:47:24
Hiya! I did like Neurontin for my anxiety. It helped me a lot. According to a book I have, "The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide" , cyclothymia is normally treated with medication similar to that which doctors use for Bipolar Disorder. Lithium Carbonate is usually the firstline medication suggested. Is that what your doctor suggested for you? I started Lithium as my first mood stabilizer. I usually have very low side effects with drugs and lithium (the first time around) didn't produce many side effects (other than some bowel problems, but I have problems staying regular anyway so I didn't mind much :) But, enough about me and my colon!! Did you doctor suggest Lithium at all? I personally would prefer Lithium to Depakote any day, but you do have to have regular blood tests, as it CAN become toxic in your system.... That is something you have to be careful of. But, I believe you are suppossed to have blood work with Depakote as well, correct? Yeah, I looked it up, you need blood tests with Depakote as well because it is broken down in the liver. Depakote can cause significant weight gain. That is why I discontinued, and hair loss.
I'm taking a drug called Topamax. You may want to go through and read soem of the posts on it. But it doesn't have any fatal side effects (that I'm aware of). You may want to ask your doctor about it. My doctor is surprised that it works to control my manic episodes, but it does. At first when I started it, my mental cognition was very slow. I mean it made me very VERY stupid!! But, it lasted for about 1-2 months. Also, you have to drink a lot of water, to prevent kidney stones. And you get heartburn and numbness in your arms and legs. But, my mood is WONDERFUL!! (and it causes weight loss rather than weight gain like the others!!) Just a suggestion to discuss with your doctor! You also may want to discuss Lithium. And go to www.google.com
and type in the name of the drug you are interested in. you can find out all sorts of info there!! if you have any more questions just ask... Also, I was on Lamictal for a while too, but it was in combonation with Lithium, so I can't be much help. But, there are several posts on this page about it. I know that what you have is treat with drugs that treat bipolar disorder which would be (probably in this order too....)
Lithium, Depakote, Lamictal, Tegretol, TopamaxKaren
poster:Karen_kay
thread:288261
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031213/msgs/290200.html