Posted by fattoush on November 24, 2009, at 8:15:01
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » fattoush, posted by SLS on November 24, 2009, at 6:19:30
> Have you tried Lamictal or Trileptal?
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> Both drugs are anticonvulsant mood stabilizers. Lamictal is not as good for treating mania, but can be helpful for depression. Trileptal is better as a mood stabilizer, as it can be helpful for both phases of bipolar disorder. You might want to start taking the new drug first and gradually discontinue the lithium later.
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> I would also consider Topamax. It can work wonders in agitated mixed states as what you are describing. The key to avoiding cognitive side effects is to begin at 25mg and raise the dosage by 25mg each week. 100mg might be the ideal dosage for you.
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> - ScottI have tried both Lamictal and Topamax, both twice. And, yes, the two times I titrated very slowly. I don't get only the usual bad side effects, though I get those too. I get very depressed at as soon as 50 mgs of Topamax and entertain suicidal thoughts often at 75 mgs. Yet, it does miracles on my migraines. Lamictal, on the other hand, soon gives me awful headache, like my head is in a vice. Nothing could relieve the pain. I stuck through to 100 mgs, imagine how long it takes...
Whence my gratitude to Lithium.
But, to go back to my original question, if I lowered it to 300 mgs, and with nothing else on board, would I get no anti-depressant effect?
I posted a question below to someone who thinks they, as bipolars, can do well with Lithium and Wellbutrin.
poster:fattoush
thread:904699
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091117/msgs/926798.html