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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by grrovymotion on November 18, 2002, at 2:21:59
Whats the best mood stabilzer for a bad case of Generalized anxiety disorder, specifically restlessness and trouble shutting off mind? Could it also include an anti-covulsant? I've always had problems with ssris. Remeron isnt helping me much for Gad.
Posted by Krysti on November 18, 2002, at 8:13:39
In reply to Mood stabilizer for anxiety?, posted by grrovymotion on November 18, 2002, at 2:21:59
Hi there,
Every mood stabilizer I have ever taken has made my anxiety go away (which I had really bad for 6 years). I've been on Depakote, Gabitril and am now on Trileptal. The reason I went of of Depakote and Gabitril is because I started getting depressed. If I added an SSRI though, the anxiety started to come back. The Trileptal has been good so far, but I've only been on it for about a week and a half. Hopefully, it will keep me stable without bouts of depression! By the way, all the mood stabilizers I mentioned are anti-convulsants.
Good luck :)
Krysti
Posted by Mr Cushing on November 18, 2002, at 8:26:41
In reply to Re: Mood stabilizer for anxiety?, posted by Krysti on November 18, 2002, at 8:13:39
Hey Krysti, yep, Depakote has made my anxiety go away just about 100% BUT I'm finding that it's bringing my depression back. So I'm in basically the same boat as you again... now what to do, what to do...
Posted by ROO on November 18, 2002, at 8:56:00
In reply to Re: Mood stabilizer for anxiety?, posted by Mr Cushing on November 18, 2002, at 8:26:41
Can mood stabilizers cause depression? Because I am
having this exact problem...the mood stabilizer takes care
of my cycling...but nothing can quite take care of the
depression...even if an AD is added, it seems to poop out
after a month...or maybe it's just that the mood stabilizer
is making me depressed. I noticed having weird dark thoughts
(almost acid like thoughts) on topamax (my mood stabilizer)...depression
is listed as one of the side effects. Lamictal did have
an antidepressant effect for me, but I could NOT sleep on it at all.
Any others that might not cause depression?
Posted by Mr Cushing on November 18, 2002, at 9:08:33
In reply to Re: Mood stabilizer for anxiety?, posted by Krysti on November 18, 2002, at 8:13:39
Krysti, have you started on Celexa yet? I know you said that Lexapro was too strong for you and was making you manic and your PDoc suggested that you try out Celexa since it was less potent.Before I was fully aware that I was Bi-Polar, I went through 6 years of intense depression of which Celexa (20mg a day) took me out of. While I was on it I don't remember any severe mood swings. However... once I stopped taking it, within 6 months I was fully manic and that's what has basically led me up to this point.
My depressive phases are starting to appear just about every day now. Like I'll feel fine for about 98% of the day, and then for no reason, I'll feel like I need to cry or something. I'm worried now about sliding completely out of the manic phase and into the depressive phase. And you know what? I'm not sure which one is worse lol...
Any suggestions from anybody would be greatly appreciated
Posted by Ritch on November 18, 2002, at 9:34:38
In reply to Mood stabilizer for anxiety?, posted by grrovymotion on November 18, 2002, at 2:21:59
> Whats the best mood stabilzer for a bad case of Generalized anxiety disorder, specifically restlessness and trouble shutting off mind? Could it also include an anti-covulsant? I've always had problems with ssris. Remeron isnt helping me much for Gad.
Everybody's very different, but I found Neurontin to work quite well for what you are talking about. Gabatril is touted (at lower doses 2-8mg/day) for being helpful. Depakote is pretty effective at calming racing thoughts. Topamax is used sometimes for PTSD, so that one might be helpful-it's also good for stopping ruminating thoughts keeping you from sleeping. You will just have to be willing to do some trials and see what works, what doesn't, what you can tolerate, etc. good luck.
Posted by utopizen on November 18, 2002, at 10:09:59
In reply to Re: Mood stabilizer for anxiety? » grrovymotion, posted by Ritch on November 18, 2002, at 9:34:38
I gave up on Neurontin. Though it was solving my anxiety, it seemed to do this in a "blunting" kind of way- slowed down my thinking, I spoke in a monotonous voice, etc. I never get depressed, and it made my mood very low/depressed sort of.
I wonder if a different mood stablizer would work without such effects? I have social anxiety, no depression.
Posted by Ritch on November 18, 2002, at 13:07:30
In reply to Re: Mood stabilizer for anxiety?, posted by utopizen on November 18, 2002, at 10:09:59
> I gave up on Neurontin. Though it was solving my anxiety, it seemed to do this in a "blunting" kind of way- slowed down my thinking, I spoke in a monotonous voice, etc. I never get depressed, and it made my mood very low/depressed sort of.
>
> I wonder if a different mood stablizer would work without such effects? I have social anxiety, no depression.I think I read one of your posts about wanting to try some Klonopin. Despite it being a benzo, it *does* have "mood stabilizing" (antimanic) effects for sure. It also happens to be the most effective (non-AD) medication for social anxiety, as well...
Posted by utopizen on November 18, 2002, at 15:38:19
In reply to Re: Mood stabilizer for anxiety? » utopizen, posted by Ritch on November 18, 2002, at 13:07:30
> > I gave up on Neurontin. Though it was solving my anxiety, it seemed to do this in a "blunting" kind of way- slowed down my thinking, I spoke in a monotonous voice, etc. I never get depressed, and it made my mood very low/depressed sort of.
> >
> > I wonder if a different mood stablizer would work without such effects? I have social anxiety, no depression.
>I know, I've tried Klono prn before. It works. And I don't have any mood issues, I have a very regular mood, it's fine. I'm just very doubtful I even have the courage to make it clear I'm a benzo or bust patient...
> I think I read one of your posts about wanting to try some Klonopin. Despite it being a benzo, it *does* have "mood stabilizing" (antimanic) effects for sure. It also happens to be the most effective (non-AD) medication for social anxiety, as well...
Posted by Alan on November 18, 2002, at 20:16:55
In reply to Re: Mood stabilizer for anxiety?, posted by utopizen on November 18, 2002, at 15:38:19
Statistically, the most effective medication for anxiety disorder is....surprise...an anxiolytic. A benzodiazapine. (not meaning to sound sarcastic)
You might find klonopin at the right dose effective. The points already made about klon and your situation are very good indeed. There are other benzos out there too if klon doesn't work. One's reaction to them is as individualised as the reactions to the AD's are.
The racing thoughts are symptoms of anxiety as much as anything else.
Finding a non-benzophobic doctor is a whole nother thread's worth. Actually, it's not that hard....
Best,
Alan
Posted by jackt on December 2, 2002, at 16:15:04
In reply to Mood stabilizer for anxiety?, posted by grrovymotion on November 18, 2002, at 2:21:59
> Whats the best mood stabilzer for a bad case of Generalized anxiety disorder, specifically restlessness and trouble shutting off mind? Could it also include an anti-covulsant? I've always had problems with ssris. Remeron isnt helping me much for Gad.
I also have GAD, so I am curious how you are doing 2 weeks later.
This is the end of the thread.
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