Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mama Bear on June 20, 2003, at 9:40:51
I am looking for information from anyone who is either bipolar themselves or have a child that is bipolar. I an interested in finding our your experiences with lithium and an antidepressent. I have read alot of information about bipolar and everything I have read about anti dep. is not good when taken by a person with bipolar. Our daughters doctor has prescribed lithium and celexa an ad ssri medication. I am very nervous about giving her the ad as she tried prozac back in January and it totally spun her out. She is almost 6 yrs old and I want to make sure that this type of med will not cause mania before I give it to her. She already was on Respirdal for 17 months and that gave her Tardive dyskinesia. We give her high doses of Vitamin E. Lethecin, and omega 3 vutamins. This has helped quite a bit with the dyskinesia that she has. I am hoping to get the information that I need from people who have tried an AD and who are bipolar. I am looking foward to any and all responses. Thanks so much everyone. Mama Bear
Posted by Jet Meck on June 20, 2003, at 13:06:45
In reply to A Bipolar Child, posted by Mama Bear on June 20, 2003, at 9:40:51
I am 43 years old and bipolar. I was not on medication as a child. I am on Effexor and Zyprexa now. This combination has made a big difference in my life. The Zyprexa contols the mania extremely well. A child would probably need only 2.5 mg of Zyprexa. It is sedating but the effects kick in 3 hours after taking it. So it is a good idea to take it 3 hours before bedtime. It really does control the mania. There are many studies to back up this combination especially for those who are bipolar. Ask the doctor about it. Good luck.
Posted by Saltmarsh Rose on June 20, 2003, at 14:21:32
In reply to A Bipolar Child, posted by Mama Bear on June 20, 2003, at 9:40:51
Every p.doc i've been to says the same thing - i'm bipolarII,
on lithium and a couple of othr stuffs,
but consensus is, no AD's with lithium because can
precipitate a manic episode.Kids are different though, their brains aren't so hardwired
yet...have you thought about getting a second medical
opinion? Just wonder how the doctors can dx a kids as
young as your daughter and definitively make the dx
that she is bipolar.
Posted by stjames on June 20, 2003, at 17:29:53
In reply to Re: A Bipolar Child, posted by Jet Meck on June 20, 2003, at 13:06:45
As long as AD's are given with an anti-mania med
it is OK. Actually VERY common in BP & very well reported. Standard treatment.
Posted by Bizzyliz on June 21, 2003, at 0:29:53
In reply to Re: A Bipolar Child, posted by stjames on June 20, 2003, at 17:29:53
My 15 year old daughter has been on various combinations of drugs since age 11. She is now doing well on Depakote 1000mg a day and Paxil CR 50mg a day. In Feb. we switched from Paxil to Lexapro and within a few short weeks she became extremely depressed, "thinking of suicide every minute of every day." She also stopped having periods (not pregnant). Switched back about 3-4 weeks ago to Paxil CR and is so much better! She has never been on Lithium, but the Depakote was truly a miracle drug for her. Also, her symptoms first began at age 8 after the death of her grandfather, and I sought therapy for her but decided against drugs at that time. She had a rough time, and at age 11 just went into what I called a "melt-down." I never felt so powerless and helpless as I did at that time. Things are up and down, (nature of the diagnosis), but hang in there. Never give up.She will need you even when she goes through the hardest times.Good Luck!
Posted by Mama Bear on June 21, 2003, at 18:34:29
In reply to Re: A Bipolar Child, posted by Bizzyliz on June 21, 2003, at 0:29:53
Thanks to all so far that have given me hope and encouragment with my 5 yr old bipolar daughter. We started lithium yesterday and so far not much difference. I guess it takes awhile for it to level off in her system before we will notice a difference if any. I am still hestitant to give her the celexa. She had a bad reaction to the prozac which is an ssri and she is a very rapid cycler which indicates that an ssri medication is not that well suited for her. I am only going to give her the lithium for now. I figure one med at a time is enough right now. Besides if she started both meds at the same time then if she developes a reaction. I won't know what drug caused it.
This is the end of the thread.
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