Posted by CindyLou on February 28, 2004, at 7:08:22
In reply to Re: Hope for BPII?? » CindyLou, posted by CareBear04 on February 27, 2004, at 22:01:37
Thank you so much for your response! I have tried dozens, maybe more, meds and combos of meds, and have negative reactions to most of them. Currently I take Lexapro, Klonapin, Dextroamphetamine and Ritilin. Basically, these meds are treating symptoms of what appears to be BPII -- the Klonapin treats the anxiety, the stims treat the fatigue, and the Lex treats the depression. I've been taking these for over a year now, and holding my own, but lately everything seems to be backfiring.
A new pdoc I have seen wants me to try Lithium again. I tried it once shortly after having my daughter 4 years ago, and I was so zoned out and exhausted on it I only lasted a day. I think I was only on 300 mg. This new doc wants me to try 450 mg. It may be different now that my hormones have evened out since the postpartum period. But I'm scared to try it. This new doc says that things will only get worse if I just treat the symptoms of the BP and not the actual diagnosis.
Thanks again for your response. Any more insights and experiences out there will be very helpful, although I really just need positive ones please. I have enough negative feelings and experiences about this whole thing already.
Thanks,
cindy
> hi cindylou,
> i haven't been on meds for very long, but i've been through dozens of them, and i've finally found a combination that works pretty well for me. i've been on lithium between 450 and 1200 mgs. my new pdoc thinks bpIIs can be treated with lower doses of lithium. if you can get by without a mood stabilizer, that would probably be ideal because they are generally not fun meds to be on. i'm also on two antidepressants, sleeping meds, and antianxiety meds. low dose antipsychotics can actually work really well, too, even though they sound a little scary. i've been on most of the newer ones, and zyprexa has mood-stabilizing properties, though it's a trade-off with the side effects. the older APs are also worth trying. i never thought i would try haldol, but i've been on a tiny dose for a week or two, and it's been amazingly helpful. if you're very anxious, as i am, it can make you feel really calm.
> don't worry, you'll find the right combination of meds. it may take some time, but it'll happen. good luck, cb
poster:CindyLou
thread:317897
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040228/msgs/318462.html