Posted by BarbaraCat on July 24, 2004, at 13:26:05
In reply to ONCE AND FOR ALL..... Antidepressants for Bipolar?, posted by Mike634 on July 23, 2004, at 18:48:53
**I can relate. I have BP-II or maybe it's BP-I who knows, it's challenging all the same. I've been on quite a few of the SSRI's and SNRI's. A very good AD was nortriptyline, got me out of a bad depression. But the side effects were difficult and I gave it up. I take lithium which is necessary, but on it's own it has not been enough to combat the depressions. Took lamictal which worked for a while, pooped, then raising the dose gave me the rash.
So, what's a girl to do? I'm now taking St. John's Wort with a great deal of success. It's very effective, doesn't whack you up the side of the head, is cheap and doesn't require a prescription. It does not work unless I also take the lithium (and vice versa). The two are synergistic and probably symbiotic.
I was at the end of my rope and figured I didn't have much to lose. It surprises me how well it works, but you have to give it time and play with the dose. I get a pharmaceutical grade product put out by HBC Protocols and take 5/day. It took about 4 weeks to reach efficacy. If all else fails, give it a try.
> Its just so diddicult and tricky to treat this bipolar depression. Its as if my brain has just shut down. Mood stabilizers are fine, with a bit of zyprexa, but antidepressents just dont work like the used to. Effexor brought me right out of a previous episode, but this time, effexor, mirapex, wellbutrin - it seems all they do is cause intense manic pain and anger. My doctor says this is just what happens with A-D. After a while, they don't do what they are intended to do for someone with bipolar depression. I really havent tried many A-d though. Pretty much just the ones I listed. Has anyone out there with bipolar (more specifically bipolar depression) been trying A-D with any success. Frustrated and a bit hopeless.
poster:BarbaraCat
thread:369709
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040724/msgs/369981.html