Posted by SLS on May 16, 2012, at 20:53:25
In reply to Question, posted by Sheilac on May 16, 2012, at 14:50:51
> Is Trileptal and lithium along with klonopine supposed to be enough to take care of both mania AND depression?
All three drugs possess antimanic properties. Lithium is the best known to have antidepressant properties as well. That's not to say that Trileptal won't help depression. There is just less data supporting its use in bipolar depression.
What is your current dosage of lithium?
I am under the impression that lithium has more potential to act as an antidepressant for bipolar I disorder than for bipolar II disorder.
Perhaps you can discuss with your doctor adding Lamictal first and Abilify or Saphris second. These drugs have antidepressant potential, but are less liable to produce mania when compared to standard antidepressants. Zyprexa would probably work, too, but the weight gain and metabolic effects can limit its usage.
I still think that the Trileptal did what it was supposed to do - resolve the mania. The depression that came afterward is likely to be an artifact of a mood swing and not the result of Trileptal exerting a depressive effect. I think your feeling well transiently was your falling through a "zone" of euthymia on your way to depression. Obviously, I don't know every person who has ever taken Trileptal, but it seems that it is less likely than Depakote to produce a depression in the long-term.
For rapid cyclers, a combination of Lamictal and lithium can act as a prophylactic against relapse into both depression and mania.
I think it is desirable for you to educate yourself as much as possible, but allow the doctor to do his work. Think of your doctor and you as being a team. Your primary responsibility is to report as much as you can about your case history and present symptoms. Your secondary responsibility is to ask questions. You can then offer theories and treatment alternatives. Ultimately, it also becomes your responsibility to evaluate the effectiveness of your doctor in treating you and seek others if necessary.
- Scott
Some 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:1017948
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120508/msgs/1018063.html