Posted by SLS on March 1, 2012, at 23:56:44
In reply to Re: Moon sent home from school today - sigh.. » SLS, posted by Solstice on March 1, 2012, at 20:36:34
> > > Any ideas?
> > For the last few days, I have been thinking about the potential for Depakote (valproate) to treat your daughter. Using a mood stabilizer is another avenue to investigate. It can definitely help with mania or mixed states. Klonopin might be something to consider for the anxiety. It, too, has mood stabilizing properties. However, if the mixed-state resolves, the anxiety might, too.
> >
> > Just a couple of ideas.> Now.. she does take Lamictal. She's been at 300mg for about a week.
Oh, gosh. In some people, Lamictal at 300 mg can put them in a brain-fog and impairs memory and cognition. This drug should be suspect whenever these impairments emerge. 200 mg is usually okay. Lamictal, even at high dosages, is NOT a potent drug for treating acute hypomania or mania. It makes sense to take it to help ease depression.
When adding Depakote, you must reduce the dosage of Lamictal by half. Both drugs work to inhibit sodium channels. However, Depakote seems to work more robustly to enhance GABA activity, which can be calming. I once took both drugs without adverse effects.
For anxiety, Klonopin has a long half life for a BZD, and might provide anxiolysis all day long. If a shorter-acting drug is required, Ativan would be my first choice. Xanax can produce behavioral disinhibition and make things worse.
> I very recently wished for tranquilizer darts :-)
For you or your daughter? Maybe both?
:-)
- ScottSome see things as they are and ask why.
I dream of things that never were and ask why not.- George Bernard Shaw
poster:SLS
thread:1012142
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120221/msgs/1012183.html