Posted by Jay on April 28, 2006, at 12:55:46
In reply to Bipolar meds and possible misdiagnosis, posted by bluemoss on April 27, 2006, at 10:50:27
> Hi.
> I was recently diagnosed with bipolar 1. I am currently taking lexapro 20mg and Depakote 500mg. I have a strong history of Bipolar in my family. ( mom-suicide-1989) My doctor asked me some tranlations of cliche's ie dont cry over spilt milk and to count backwards in multiples of 7. I have no extreme manic episodes but have definately had depressions. I do have some very mild mania but more than anything i went in to deal with extreme anger swings. The doctor in a single half hour visit said bipolar 1. I am in my 3rd week of meds. I feel shaky, and very hyper. Something I hadn't felt before. Last week I could barely function I was so tired. I am willing to accept a bipolar, but I think I am a 2. Am i in Denial? What about this combination of drugs? I feel like I am having an axiety attack, (wich i haven't had in years).
>
>Hmm..I don't know about this BP1 diagnosis. If you have depression and dysphoric mania (i.e. anger)you probably fit more into the BP2 or BP3 category. What is MOST important right now though is getting your "symptoms" looked after. Anger can be treated a few ways, with medication. There are the atypical antipsychotics, and the mood stabalizers (like the depakote you are on.) You've also got to deal with the depression. But, since you don't want to trigger mania, you gotta keep your eye on the lexapro. Try cutting that lexapro dose in half, and ramping up on an atypical antipsychotic. Risperdal at 0.5-1.0 mg's sounds like a good starting point. You can also add a tricyclic antidepressant to your meds, and nortriptyline seems very popular, and works well, these days.
Keep us posted...you have every right to put into your body what you want.
Best,
Jay
poster:Jay
thread:637455
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060423/msgs/637835.html