![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 12 to 36 of 37. Go back in thread:
Posted by rainbowlight on September 4, 2002, at 3:40:37
In reply to Re: Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar II » rainbowlight, posted by BarbaraCat on September 3, 2002, at 3:17:14
I began taking Lamictal and Remeron at the same time. The only trouble I have with the Lamictal is that it is energizing to me, so much so that I have to use a sleeping pill to go to sleep every night. Also, the first few days on it I had a really bad headache in the back of my head. Pdoc said that was normal and it did go away after a few days. I have never had the rash. My pdoc says the rash usually shows up in your mouth first. I have heard that if you titrate the med up very slowly it helps to keep from getting the rash.
Posted by Peter S. on September 4, 2002, at 13:23:58
In reply to Re: Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar II » Peter S., posted by BarbaraCat on September 3, 2002, at 22:15:32
Thanks for the responses.
I'm not taking any any antidepressants currently. I was taking a small dose of prozac (10mg)- but it didn't seem to effect the cycles. I've had a hypomanic response to both Prozac, Zoloft, and Wellbutrin before.
Because of the cycling, I've been experimenting with taking 400mg of Lamictal and 600mg of Neurontin in the am. Then 200 mg of Lamictal and 300 mg at around 1:00 pm. I notice the effect begin to wear off around 4 or 5. Maybe I should spread out the Neurontin more or increase the dose. I guess other people are really on high doses of Neurontin- my pdoc is going by the book (900 max for Neurontin and 600 max for Lamictal). I think the half life of Lamictal is 24 hours- anybody know if this is true? What is the max people have taken of Lamictal? I have noticed no side effects so I wonder if it reasonable to go higher- are there any studies that have showed potential harm?
Anyway any input is most appreciated!
> Are you also taking another antidepressant concurrently, or is this it for your med cocktail? BTW, I was taking 1800mg Neurontin for a while and then just recently upped it to 2700mg and sometimes more. It's helped alot with creating a nice smooth feeling. Perhaps a tad more neurontin will counteract the unpleasant buzz you mention.
>
> > I've been taking Lamictal and Neurontin together for a while. When I first started taking Lamictal, the effect was almost immediate. I felt better more consistantly than I've ever felt. I noticed a drop after a week so I increased the dosage. I am finally up to 600mg and 900-1200 mg of Neurontin. I have'nt yet figured out these meds. I seem to crash for a couple of days and then it works. I take 400 mg of Lamictal in the a.m. plus 300 mg of Neurontin. I notice the effect in about an hour. It is an energized, wired feeling- not exactly anti-depressant but speedy. I actually find it a little unpleasant, but it is definitely an improvement over straight depression. I've experimented with Carbamazipine but this doesn't seem to help with the cycles. Someone said depakote is useful- maybe I'll try it.
> >
> > Anyway this combination is the best thing I've found. It doesn't work consistantly, but at least it works. There are no side effects at all which is great.
> >
> > Peter
> >
> > > Your 'gory details' would be welcomed here. Sometimes its very therapeutic to know that I'm not the only one squirming and that we're all kind of in this together.
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Cindylou on September 4, 2002, at 13:52:48
In reply to Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar II, posted by audrey on September 2, 2002, at 21:48:31
Hi Audrey,
I've recently been diagnosed as BPII, and I'm having a hard time tolerating meds. Tried Lamictal -- could only get up to 75 mg. due to side effects, and it really didn't help me. (I probably needed more.)I'm now trying Geodon. I can only tolerate 20 mg. I'm not sure if it's helping or not! I seem to go up and down -- definitely not stabilizing yet (It's been about 3 weeks since I started.) At first it made me agitated at the end of the day, now I feel quite groggy. I'm sneaking some of my husband's Adderal to help with the foggy head. I know -- not smart to medicate myself. My pdoc is too hard to get ahold of. I'll see him Saturday and explain all this.
More info than you needed! Sorry for the rambling. I guess I just need someone to "listen" to me!
Hope you find a good med for you.
cindy
> Hi,
>
> I've recently been diagnosed with bi-polar II, and am in the middle of a hypomanic episode. I'll spare you the gory details...
>
> Anyway, I was wondering if anyone would please share with me their experiences taking mood-stabilizers. The only meds I know about are lithium and depakote. I would like to hear the pros and cons people have endured taking those meds as well as any information about other meds that are used to treat hypomania.
>
> Any input would be incredibly appreciated.
>
> Thank you,
> Audrey
Posted by audrey on September 5, 2002, at 15:51:26
In reply to Re: Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar II » audrey, posted by Cindylou on September 4, 2002, at 13:52:48
Thanks everyone for your input. I've done some research on the meds everyone mentioned, and I'm seeing my pdoc this evening. Over the last 5 days or so, I was really bad -- all of the sudden I would just get really irritated, and I would freak out. I was angry with my husband b/c he left a bunch of dirty clothes on the floor, so I ripped all the clothes off all the hangers in our closet and threw everything onto the floor so there was a huge heap of clothing in the closet, then I just laid on top of it and cried. How's that for gory details, BarbaraCat? Please tell me I'm not the only one who has these kinds of fits!! I feel so awful. Anyway, I called my pdoc, and he prescribed some emergency Zyprexia, an anti-psychotic, to get me through the last few days. Anyone else had any experience with it? It's helped a bit, but I'm still easily irritated. I just can't live like this! Thanks again for letting me know your med experiences.
Audrey
Posted by rainbowlight on September 6, 2002, at 1:25:44
In reply to Re: Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar II, posted by audrey on September 5, 2002, at 15:51:26
Hi Audrey. What you are describing sounds like agitation. I have had that many times and it is horrible. Hopefully your doctor will find you some meds that will help you feel more at ease. Let us know what happens at the doctors okay?
Posted by BarbaraCat on September 6, 2002, at 19:00:40
In reply to Re: Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar II, posted by audrey on September 5, 2002, at 15:51:26
No, Audrey, you're definitely not the only one who goes through experiences like these. Just one of my more memorable ones was when I punched a hole through a wall rather than my husband - and I barely felt it. When our nervous systems are strained beyond what is bearable, we just snap. It's a very understandable way to react to intense unrelenting stress.
What is very interesting to me is that I've been getting intravenous vitamins and minerals through my naturopath - today was the second visit (I have fibromyalgia but he's approaching it in a very whole body manner). The last few days, and today while receiving the drip, were so calm, so fine, with good sustained energy and enormous patience for everyone, through traffic jams, etc. My doctor said that I apparently either can't absorb meds very well through my gut, or something else goes awry along the way, and the fact that I'm responding so well to I.V. means that my body has been starving for the basics, especially B vitamins, calcium and magnesium - the 'nervous system nutrients'. I've always known to take B vitamins and the others and have done so in huge doses, but something wasn't getting through. The difference in my mood and physical well-being is astounding. What I'm getting at is, perhaps what we're suffering from here is something as simple as not getting enough bio-available vitamins and minerals! Now, the next step is to figure out how to do this without resorting to an IV drip. At any rate, taking alot of extra B vitamins, calcium and magnesium is important for you during this time (a really good brand, not something like Centrum or other cheap brand). My prayers go out to you. - Barbara
Posted by audrey on September 6, 2002, at 22:37:40
In reply to Re: Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar II » audrey, posted by BarbaraCat on September 6, 2002, at 19:00:40
Thanks for your encouragement, BarbaraCat. It does indeed help to hear someone understands what I'm going through. My pdoc put me on Depakote (started today), so now all I can do is wait and see. I'm hopeful -- something has to help!
I'm interested in the fact that you seem to metabolize better intravenously. I take plenty of vitamins, because I'm vegetarian, so I hope I'm getting everything I need. My pdoc is going to have me get regular blood testing since Depakote can cause liver problems, so I'll have to monitor the other stuff too.
Thanks again, and good luck. It must be nice just having even a few days of feeling normal. I hope taking plenty of the extra vitamins will help as much as the IV.
Audrey
Posted by BarbaraCat on September 7, 2002, at 12:55:19
In reply to Re: Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar » BarbaraCat, posted by audrey on September 6, 2002, at 22:37:40
I'm semi-vegetarian in that I occasionaly eat fish and chicken. As you know, we don't get enough B12. A product you might want to try is a sublingual B12 in the methylcobolamin form. Most B12 is cyanocobolamin and not as bio-active in the brain as the methyl form. I use Source Naturals Methylcobolamin sublingual 1M cut in half (500 mg) that I get through www.IHerb.com. Please keep me posted how the Depakote is going. I guess you also know about the weight gain potential, so I'd encourage you keep your body moving. I'm struggling to budge the pudge I gained on Remeron and lithium.
Posted by Cindylou on September 7, 2002, at 22:14:35
In reply to Re: Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar II » audrey, posted by BarbaraCat on September 6, 2002, at 19:00:40
Hi,
Just thought I'd add that I also have tried the IV vitamins (my doctor calls them "Meyers Cocktails"). I had them once a week through the month of June, but then I moved out of state and couldn't find a doc who would give these IV vitamins. I had energy and well-being unlike ever before for the months of June and July, but crashed in August. I am assuming the IV vitamins were still taking hold throughout July, but then pooped out.I just found another alternative medicine M.D. in the new state where I live who provides IV vitamin therapy, and I am going to start again. He said the same thing about my digestive system being "out of whack" -- explaining why I cannot metabolize oral vitamins well, or, for that matter, meds. He tested me for a Candida infection that he thinks may be the cause of the digestive problems ... we'll see what happens when the results come back.
I wanted to respond to your post since we have such similar experiences.
Take care!
cindy
> No, Audrey, you're definitely not the only one who goes through experiences like these. Just one of my more memorable ones was when I punched a hole through a wall rather than my husband - and I barely felt it. When our nervous systems are strained beyond what is bearable, we just snap. It's a very understandable way to react to intense unrelenting stress.
>
> What is very interesting to me is that I've been getting intravenous vitamins and minerals through my naturopath - today was the second visit (I have fibromyalgia but he's approaching it in a very whole body manner). The last few days, and today while receiving the drip, were so calm, so fine, with good sustained energy and enormous patience for everyone, through traffic jams, etc. My doctor said that I apparently either can't absorb meds very well through my gut, or something else goes awry along the way, and the fact that I'm responding so well to I.V. means that my body has been starving for the basics, especially B vitamins, calcium and magnesium - the 'nervous system nutrients'. I've always known to take B vitamins and the others and have done so in huge doses, but something wasn't getting through. The difference in my mood and physical well-being is astounding. What I'm getting at is, perhaps what we're suffering from here is something as simple as not getting enough bio-available vitamins and minerals! Now, the next step is to figure out how to do this without resorting to an IV drip. At any rate, taking alot of extra B vitamins, calcium and magnesium is important for you during this time (a really good brand, not something like Centrum or other cheap brand). My prayers go out to you. - Barbara
Posted by audrey on September 7, 2002, at 23:58:16
In reply to Re: Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar » audrey, posted by BarbaraCat on September 7, 2002, at 12:55:19
Thanks for the B12 suggestion. It's definitely something I need to pay attention to. I recently had a complete physical with a ton of blood tests, and my doctor said everything looked great. But you mention methylcobalamin vs. cyanocobalomin, which makes me wonder if my brain is getting all the B12 it needs... I'll have to check it out. And I think I might also look into IV-vitamin treatment. I hear about a lot of athletes taking some kind of "sports IV," and I've been interested in it, since I run and swim competetively. It would be great to have energy consistently, not just when I'm being hypomanic!
Take care of yourself,
Audrey> I'm semi-vegetarian in that I occasionaly eat fish and chicken. As you know, we don't get enough B12. A product you might want to try is a sublingual B12 in the methylcobolamin form. Most B12 is cyanocobolamin and not as bio-active in the brain as the methyl form. I use Source Naturals Methylcobolamin sublingual 1M cut in half (500 mg) that I get through www.IHerb.com. Please keep me posted how the Depakote is going. I guess you also know about the weight gain potential, so I'd encourage you keep your body moving. I'm struggling to budge the pudge I gained on Remeron and lithium.
Posted by Squiggles on September 8, 2002, at 18:37:48
In reply to Re: Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar II » audrey, posted by BarbaraCat on September 6, 2002, at 19:00:40
I was just reading these threads, and thought
you people might like to benefit from Dr. Phelps'
site on on all aspect of Bipolar Disorder;Here it is:
http://www.bipolarworld.net/Phelps/phelpsask.htm
take care
Squiggles
Posted by BarbaraCat on September 8, 2002, at 20:33:45
In reply to Re: Medication ... /bi-polar II (DR. PHELPS) » BarbaraCat, posted by Squiggles on September 8, 2002, at 18:37:48
Posted by BarbaraCat on September 8, 2002, at 21:04:02
In reply to Re: IV vitamins » BarbaraCat, posted by Cindylou on September 7, 2002, at 22:14:35
Hi Cindy,
Yes, Myer's Cocktail is the name, plus with extra antioxidants. I've been feeling great from them, lots of energy and well-being. Sure wish I could learn to concoct and give them to myself because they're soooo expensive. Hopefully your treatments at your new doctor will be covered by insurance. Supposedly, getting a series close in duration sparks and fans the healing flames, so to speak. That's what I'm hoping, cause I won't be able to afford too many more. It sure makes me ponder how compromised my (our) digestive systems must be and how little of the pills contents actually make it through.
Posted by Cindylou on September 11, 2002, at 17:31:48
In reply to Re: IV vitamins » Cindylou, posted by BarbaraCat on September 8, 2002, at 21:04:02
Hi Barbara,
I'm glad the Myer's are helping you! I can't wait to get started again -- my first appointment is Monday. I have a feeling my insurance won't cover it, though. Do you get yours through an actual I.V. (where it takes about an hour), or do you have someone sit with you and kind of push it your vein? (sounds gross, but I couldn't think of how else to describe it!) That's the way I did it at my old doctor's, and it only took 10 minutes. This new doc does the IV, and it takes an hour -- that's hard for me, since I have a 2- 1/2 year old and no sitter. Oh well, I'll find a way! It is so helpful.Hope you continue to feel better,
take care,
cindy
> Hi Cindy,
> Yes, Myer's Cocktail is the name, plus with extra antioxidants. I've been feeling great from them, lots of energy and well-being. Sure wish I could learn to concoct and give them to myself because they're soooo expensive. Hopefully your treatments at your new doctor will be covered by insurance. Supposedly, getting a series close in duration sparks and fans the healing flames, so to speak. That's what I'm hoping, cause I won't be able to afford too many more. It sure makes me ponder how compromised my (our) digestive systems must be and how little of the pills contents actually make it through.
Posted by BarbaraCat on September 11, 2002, at 20:34:43
In reply to Re: IV vitamins » BarbaraCat, posted by Cindylou on September 11, 2002, at 17:31:48
Hello Cindy,
The first one was a 'push' (that's the actual term for it) where a small-ish amount was slowly pushed into my vein by the attendent. Then, the next one was a drip, because alot more of the stuff was given. That took about an hour. I'm told that as the amount of liquid increases, I'll be sitting there for 1-1/2 hours. I imagine you'll need to get someone to care for your little one since you don't want to be running around attached to an IV drip or being stressed out during the proceedure.I'm finding that a 'healing reaction' is taking place in that some of my fibromyalgia symptoms are getting exacerbated - I'm having a flare the past few days and feel like crap, especially since I've also drastically reduced my AD. Along with the Myers Cocktail and extra magnesium and calcium, I'm getting 20g Vit C - a pretty huge amount, considering I'm mainlining it. It acts as a chelator of heavy metals, so some nasty stuff gets released and circulates before it moves out. It'll get better. I guess we're lucky to find doctors who are hep to this treatment, even though it's a huge financial commitment. What are you getting the treatments for? - Barbara
Posted by somebetter on September 12, 2002, at 15:22:56
In reply to Re: Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar II » audrey, posted by BarbaraCat on September 6, 2002, at 19:00:40
Hi Barabara:
Call me weird, but I've been trying liquid Centrum and have had really good response to it. I think it's doing more than my 49 other psych meds! Solid vitamins I can't handle and don't seem to help. Enjoying y'alls posts on this.
Posted by Cindylou on September 12, 2002, at 18:43:48
In reply to Re: IV vitamins » Cindylou, posted by BarbaraCat on September 11, 2002, at 20:34:43
Hi Barbara,
I'm mainly being treated for fatigue. Before I moved, I got a treatment once a week for a month, and then I was supposed to go back sporadically, as needed. But I moved after that month of treatments, so I'll be starting over.I know what you mean about feeling worse before you feel better. Some kind of "detox" occurs, I think.
We are lucky to have docs that do this -- I hear they are few and far between. I am so glad to have found someone here -- in a smaller city than where I was living before (I used to live in the Detroit metropolitan area).
I hope you feel better! Keep me posted ...
cindy> Hello Cindy,
> The first one was a 'push' (that's the actual term for it) where a small-ish amount was slowly pushed into my vein by the attendent. Then, the next one was a drip, because alot more of the stuff was given. That took about an hour. I'm told that as the amount of liquid increases, I'll be sitting there for 1-1/2 hours. I imagine you'll need to get someone to care for your little one since you don't want to be running around attached to an IV drip or being stressed out during the proceedure.
>
> I'm finding that a 'healing reaction' is taking place in that some of my fibromyalgia symptoms are getting exacerbated - I'm having a flare the past few days and feel like crap, especially since I've also drastically reduced my AD. Along with the Myers Cocktail and extra magnesium and calcium, I'm getting 20g Vit C - a pretty huge amount, considering I'm mainlining it. It acts as a chelator of heavy metals, so some nasty stuff gets released and circulates before it moves out. It'll get better. I guess we're lucky to find doctors who are hep to this treatment, even though it's a huge financial commitment. What are you getting the treatments for? - Barbara
Posted by cybercafe on September 13, 2002, at 0:52:38
In reply to Re: Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar II » audrey, posted by Ritch on September 3, 2002, at 9:19:02
>psychotic symptoms. I am on Depakote now, which doesn't bother my stomach, but it has a tendency to cause more tiredness and weight gain than lithium (but is the most potent antimanic I have tried). Tried Neurontin for a couple of years-seemed to work better for anxiety than hypomania, good as an adjunct for mixed-state agitation and social anxiety associated with bipolar depression. I have tried some others.. Tegretol, Trileptal, Topamax, Gabitril, but due to side effects didn't have much experience with them to comment on their efficacy.
Wow mitch you have sure tried a lot
i can confirm that yeah.... valporate is good for getting rid of highs and lows ... leaving a type I perhaps euthymic but a type II somewhat dysthymic (mildly depressed) ........
... but hell you have to take blood tests, what a hassle :)gabapentin i am just finding will take agitated depressions or manias or other "high energy but negative" states and turn them into high energy positive states! ... gets rid of the agitation or anxiety and leaves you feeling more high ....... though at first the sedation might counteract that .....
i am taking about 1200 mg gabapentin a day, but i would like to go back up to 2700 mg at least ....btw crepsular would be right in my case about antipsychotics ...
i like the fact that gabapentin seems to cover up EPS ....it's strange how i consider myself "depressed" but a little gabapentin gets rid of the negativity and i find myself in a -high- energy positive state ... i suppose it's best for agitated manics...
i also find that even though i am depressed rather than suffering from thought deficit.... my mind still races ...
so it's kind of paradoxical how i need something to increase stimulation in my pleasure centers but decrease stimulation in my thought centers ....
perhaps aripiprazole will be the answer
Posted by BarbaraCat on September 13, 2002, at 11:41:49
In reply to Re: Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar II, posted by somebetter on September 12, 2002, at 15:22:56
Liquid Centrum, huh? Well, there ya go! I didn't know Centrum made a liquid. I've been taking a liq brand put out by a company called 'Liquid Health'. They have a whole array of liquids for every conceivable situation. I can't say for sure if it's a major help, although I feel for certain that the solid tablets aren't bioavailable enough for me. Liquid Health is expensive, so if Centrum has it all, what the heck, I might try it. After all, I can't be walking around draggin an IV hookup all the time. ;)
> Hi Barabara:
> Call me weird, but I've been trying liquid Centrum and have had really good response to it. I think it's doing more than my 49 other psych meds! Solid vitamins I can't handle and don't seem to help. Enjoying y'alls posts on this.
Posted by somebetter on September 13, 2002, at 15:44:05
In reply to Re: Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar II » somebetter, posted by BarbaraCat on September 13, 2002, at 11:41:49
Yep, you probably will have to ask your pharmacist to order it for you. No one carries it that I've found. Don't tell me if it doesn't help you, I'll stop believing and get sick again and I'm powerful tired of being sick. :)
Posted by Ritch on September 13, 2002, at 21:43:58
In reply to Re: Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar II, posted by cybercafe on September 13, 2002, at 0:52:38
> >psychotic symptoms. I am on Depakote now, which doesn't bother my stomach, but it has a tendency to cause more tiredness and weight gain than lithium (but is the most potent antimanic I have tried). Tried Neurontin for a couple of years-seemed to work better for anxiety than hypomania, good as an adjunct for mixed-state agitation and social anxiety associated with bipolar depression. I have tried some others.. Tegretol, Trileptal, Topamax, Gabitril, but due to side effects didn't have much experience with them to comment on their efficacy.
>
> Wow mitch you have sure tried a lot
>
> i can confirm that yeah.... valporate is good for getting rid of highs and lows ... leaving a type I perhaps euthymic but a type II somewhat dysthymic (mildly depressed) ........
> ... but hell you have to take blood tests, what a hassle :)
>
> gabapentin i am just finding will take agitated depressions or manias or other "high energy but negative" states and turn them into high energy positive states! ... gets rid of the agitation or anxiety and leaves you feeling more high ....... though at first the sedation might counteract that .....
> i am taking about 1200 mg gabapentin a day, but i would like to go back up to 2700 mg at least ....
>
> btw crepsular would be right in my case about antipsychotics ...
> i like the fact that gabapentin seems to cover up EPS ....
>
> it's strange how i consider myself "depressed" but a little gabapentin gets rid of the negativity and i find myself in a -high- energy positive state ... i suppose it's best for agitated manics...
>
> i also find that even though i am depressed rather than suffering from thought deficit.... my mind still races ...
> so it's kind of paradoxical how i need something to increase stimulation in my pleasure centers but decrease stimulation in my thought centers ....
> perhaps aripiprazole will be the answerCyber, is this aripiprazole the "goldilocks" antipsychotic? Just wondering. I know what you mean about feeling "warm and fuzzy" and NOT having a direct circuit to a bunch of loud, intrusive, thought loops. Gabapentin does seem to convert the *icky energy* in a mixed state and make it a bubbly positive type of energy. I just can't stand needing to take something three, four, five times a day... If you don't mind that sort of thing Depakote+gabapentin works pretty good.
Mitch
Posted by cybercafe on September 14, 2002, at 1:30:37
In reply to Re: Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar II » cybercafe, posted by Ritch on September 13, 2002, at 21:43:58
> Cyber, is this aripiprazole the "goldilocks" antipsychotic? Just wondering. I know what you
Yeah.. I still don't know how safe it is to take a drug as soon as it hits the market -- would want to know more about past med catastrophies, and how to avoid them :)
>mean about feeling "warm and fuzzy" and NOT having a direct circuit to a bunch of loud, intrusive, thought loops. Gabapentin does seem
have you found anything that works for slowing down thoughts but not depressing you?
i don't know if i should be taking a mood stabilizer for a mixed state, or an anxiolytic for anxiety/OCD!but then the GABA agents ... tiagabine/gabitril, vigabatrin/sabril, work on anxiety and mixed states ??? how many times do these have to be taken a day?
>to convert the *icky energy* in a mixed state and make it a bubbly positive type of energy. I just can't stand needing to take something three, four, five times a day... If you don't mind that sort of thing Depakote+gabapentin works pretty good.
what other option have you come across?
does lamictal do anything to calm you ?
Posted by Ritch on September 14, 2002, at 10:13:30
In reply to Re: Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar II, posted by cybercafe on September 14, 2002, at 1:30:37
> > Cyber, is this aripiprazole the "goldilocks" antipsychotic? Just wondering. I know what you
>
> Yeah.. I still don't know how safe it is to take a drug as soon as it hits the market -- would want to know more about past med catastrophies, and how to avoid them :)
Uh, same here. AP's don't suit me well, my bipolar is mild-moderate and I've never gotten completely manic. However, with the right dose of certain AD's I could probably bring that about, but don't even want to go there...>
> >mean about feeling "warm and fuzzy" and NOT having a direct circuit to a bunch of loud, intrusive, thought loops. Gabapentin does seem
>
> have you found anything that works for slowing down thoughts but not depressing you?
> i don't know if i should be taking a mood stabilizer for a mixed state, or an anxiolytic for anxiety/OCD!That's a tough one. The strategy that has worked the best for me is to take a low-dose of whatever works for hypomania, and take an even *lower* dose of AD, etc. to prevent drug-induced hypomania/racing thoughts. That's my biggest trouble-a *need* for a serotonergic AD, but keeping that delicate balance between the AD and the antimanic agent.
>
> but then the GABA agents ... tiagabine/gabitril, vigabatrin/sabril, work on anxiety and mixed states ??? how many times do these have to be taken a day?Gabitril usually needs to be taken twice daily-I have heard of people taking it only at bedtime and finding it helpful. My current pdoc says that Gabitril dosage for anxiety runs from 2mg-8mg/day (a single 2mg tab to 4mg BID). I never tried keeping it low-I was being encouraged by a neurologist to jack it way up. Got to 24mg/day and was so zonked I couldn't function, so it was given up cold turkey. Well.. there was certainly no hypomania, but I couldn't think either. It did have a mood elevating effect at lower doses. Never tried vigabatrin. I might consider at some point Gabitril 2-4mg bedtime only (as an add-on to Depakote), or 15mg Topamax bedtime only (also as an addon to Depakote).
>
> >to convert the *icky energy* in a mixed state and make it a bubbly positive type of energy. I just can't stand needing to take something three, four, five times a day... If you don't mind that sort of thing Depakote+gabapentin works pretty good.
>
> what other option have you come across?
>
> does lamictal do anything to calm you ?
>
Never tried Lamictal. I get skin reactions from various meds, and I don't entertain the idea of a rash from that one. I've heard that Depakote+low-dose Lamictal is pretty effective though. IF you can stand the nausea from Trileptal, I found that one had a distinct antidepressant effect, with increased libido and enhanced attentiveness, but I was always fixin' to hurl!Mitch
Posted by SLS on September 14, 2002, at 13:08:45
In reply to Re: Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar II » cybercafe, posted by Ritch on September 13, 2002, at 21:43:58
> Cyber, is this aripiprazole the "goldilocks" antipsychotic? Just wondering.
-------------------------------------------------------------------FDA Gives Conditional Approval For Aripiprazole For Schizophrenia
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) Sept 03 - Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Japan's Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company Ltd. announced on Tuesday that they have received an approvable letter from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their investigational schizophrenia therapy aripiprazole.
Final approval of aripiprazole is contingent upon the successful completion of ongoing discussions with the FDA, the companies added in a statement.Aripiprazole, whose proposed trade name is Abilify, was discovered by Otsuka Pharmaceutical. The product is said to be the first of a new generation of atypical antipsychotics that might offer an improved side-effect profile.
Bristol-Myers Squibb spokeswoman Tracy Furey told Reuters Health an estimated 2 million Americans suffer from schizophrenia. She said clinical trials of the drug currently are ongoing for the treatment of acute mania, bipolar disease and Alzheimer's disease.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by SMB on September 14, 2002, at 13:46:05
In reply to Re: Medication experiences for hypomania/bi-polar II, posted by SLS on September 14, 2002, at 13:08:45
Over an eight year period, I have been on Lithium, Depakote, Tegretol, Klonopin, Verapamil, Lamictal, Neurontin, Trilyptal, Celexa, Desciprimine, Effexor, Parnate, Imipramine, Zoloft, Geodon, Zyprexa, Seroquel, Verapamil, Adderall, and Ativan. None of the mood stabilizers worked and the depressions got worse and worse. After an eight-month depression last year, I switched psychiatrists (for the third time), and he gave me Adderrall (a very surprising choice for a bipolar II) for the depression. I was better within a day.
Since then, we revisited Tegretol (which didn't affect the hypomanias and caused severe headaches), Triliptal (the same), and now Depokote (which years ago at 1500 mg. made my hair fall out) but at 750 mg. in a DR version, seems to work quite well.
I've experienced cognitive memory loss, hand tremors, vomiting, sexual dysfunction, severe rashes, constitpation, sleeping problems, head sweats, weight gain, and a shortness of breath that was so bad I had to go to the emergency hospital to get oxygen.
I am now on Depakote DR (750 mg), Adderrall (60 mg.), Wellbutrin (150 mg.) and Ativan (2mg. at night to sleep). I just want everyone to know that sometimes it's just the dosage that causes the problem or the combination of one drug with another, or the timing of when you take something. I never thought I'd try Depakote again but I've learned to never say never.
After surviving 70 depressions (at least 2 a year for 35 years; the illness wasn't diagnosed for 25 years), I'm still here. But it's really not easy, is it?
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.