Posted by hrguru on May 1, 2010, at 4:41:12
In reply to Re: welbutrin not so well and seroquel not so sleepy » Techno'n'PillBottles, posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2010, at 20:35:55
Hello :)
I have Bipolar II, and before I was diagnosed, I tried Wellbutrin regular release (75mg) for depression, which made me have what I now know to be rapid cycles (on very rare occasions- and just while I was getting used to the medication). However, now I am taking Topamax, which I love love love! It has changed my life. I haven't been cycling (though it took awhile to get to the effective dosage). I now have little to no anxiety. But it does not quite do the trick for my depression. So I heard somewhere that Wellbutrin is much safer to take for Bipolar disorder if paired with a mood stabilizer (and less likely to trigger mania). I don't know if this is a fact, but I do know that since I added 100mg of Wellbutrin SR to my drug cocktail each day- I feel pretty much like a normal, functioning person, for the first time in at least a YEAR. To put this into perspective, I was so depressed last month, I contemplated hospitalization, because I felt so helpless I could barely do anything. I have gotten my life back. Talk to your doctor. Every person is different, because the right mood stabilizer is key, but often it just has to be coupled with either an anti-depressant or atypical anti-psychotic. You won't have ANY weight gain with Topamax. I have lost a considerable amount of weight! And Here's a tip: if you do take Wellbutrin- take your dose very early in the morning, otherwise you will be up very late. After all, it is an "energizing drug." But, hey- look on the bright side. At least you won't feel like you're dragging throughout the day :) Also, since I've started WB, I have not once felt manic. Just...normal, and not depressed. There's also another drug called Trileptal, which is a mood stabilizer similar to Tegretol. I have heard that it is an excellent med, but I don't know from personal experience. Anyway, you just have to kind of find that "perfect formula," but when you do, you'll know it :) Others around you will tell you it's working! I wish you the best of luck!! We are all here for support if you need it!
poster:hrguru
thread:944995
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100425/msgs/945832.html