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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mr.Scott on December 11, 2003, at 1:21:50
First let me thank everyone who posts a follow up. I am working with my doctor on all of this, but he is fumbling just as much as I am (that in his own words.)
I know all the common lore regarding the usage of AD's in bipolar conditions, but I seem to have found some success (going on 3 weeks) using 2.5mg of Lexapro and 900mg Trileptal for bipolar type 2. I generally cannot tolerate enough AD's for my chronic depression because I will have hypomanic symptoms on top of an unresolved depression. The Trileptal has allowed me to comfortably take the 2.5mg of Lexapro and dramatically turn down all the brian noise, dysphoria and irritability generally associated for me with taking ANY Antidepressant compound.
Okay so that sounds good right? Yes but I wonder if I should actually jump over to Lamictal because it has a better reputation, more studies confirming it's efficacy in BP, and an FDA approval for BP(that Novartis does not plan to seek for Trileptal.)
My doc has suggested starting the Lamictal with the Trileptal, and eventually phasing out the Trileptal (as he believes it will no longer be needed). But my concern there is that I'll be taking 2 anticonvulsants 1 antidepressant and a benzodiazepine. Thats a lot of pills and it becomes difficult to know whats doing which and whose causing the side effects.
Anyone with an opinion, may ye please sound off!
Thank You Sincerely!
Posted by Karalyn on December 11, 2003, at 3:48:05
In reply to Trileptal vs. Lamictal or Both? , posted by Mr.Scott on December 11, 2003, at 1:21:50
> First let me thank everyone who posts a follow up. I am working with my doctor on all of this, but he is fumbling just as much as I am (that in his own words.)
>
> I know all the common lore regarding the usage of AD's in bipolar conditions, but I seem to have found some success (going on 3 weeks) using 2.5mg of Lexapro and 900mg Trileptal for bipolar type 2. I generally cannot tolerate enough AD's for my chronic depression because I will have hypomanic symptoms on top of an unresolved depression. The Trileptal has allowed me to comfortably take the 2.5mg of Lexapro and dramatically turn down all the brian noise, dysphoria and irritability generally associated for me with taking ANY Antidepressant compound.
>
> Okay so that sounds good right? Yes but I wonder if I should actually jump over to Lamictal because it has a better reputation, more studies confirming it's efficacy in BP, and an FDA approval for BP(that Novartis does not plan to seek for Trileptal.)
>
> My doc has suggested starting the Lamictal with the Trileptal, and eventually phasing out the Trileptal (as he believes it will no longer be needed). But my concern there is that I'll be taking 2 anticonvulsants 1 antidepressant and a benzodiazepine. Thats a lot of pills and it becomes difficult to know whats doing which and whose causing the side effects.
>
> Anyone with an opinion, may ye please sound off!
>
> Thank You Sincerely!
>
>hey at least you arent a female. my doc wanted me on trileptal and said that if he was a woman and got pregnant while on it he would have an abortion due to the affects it has on fetuses. ahhh. i think you are pretty safe there. I dont know much else about that drug. i would do some more research. you may have to be on a a few extra meds for a while just to phase out one. stopping cold turkey on one may not be good. im no expert, sorry.
Posted by Ron Hill on December 11, 2003, at 11:07:47
In reply to Trileptal vs. Lamictal or Both? , posted by Mr.Scott on December 11, 2003, at 1:21:50
Hi Mr. Scott,
IMHO, if it ain't broke don't fix it. If I were in you situation, I'd continue with your current combo unless the combo ceases to provide the good results. I wouldn't rock the boat, at least not for a while.
Just my opinion, FWIW. Best wishes.
-- Ron
--------------------------------> First let me thank everyone who posts a follow up. I am working with my doctor on all of this, but he is fumbling just as much as I am (that in his own words.)
>
> I know all the common lore regarding the usage of AD's in bipolar conditions, but I seem to have found some success (going on 3 weeks) using 2.5mg of Lexapro and 900mg Trileptal for bipolar type 2. I generally cannot tolerate enough AD's for my chronic depression because I will have hypomanic symptoms on top of an unresolved depression. The Trileptal has allowed me to comfortably take the 2.5mg of Lexapro and dramatically turn down all the brian noise, dysphoria and irritability generally associated for me with taking ANY Antidepressant compound.
>
> Okay so that sounds good right? Yes but I wonder if I should actually jump over to Lamictal because it has a better reputation, more studies confirming it's efficacy in BP, and an FDA approval for BP(that Novartis does not plan to seek for Trileptal.)
>
> My doc has suggested starting the Lamictal with the Trileptal, and eventually phasing out the Trileptal (as he believes it will no longer be needed). But my concern there is that I'll be taking 2 anticonvulsants 1 antidepressant and a benzodiazepine. Thats a lot of pills and it becomes difficult to know whats doing which and whose causing the side effects.
>
> Anyone with an opinion, may ye please sound off!
>
> Thank You Sincerely!
>
>
Posted by Mr.Scott on December 11, 2003, at 18:22:48
In reply to Re: Trileptal vs. Lamictal or Both? » Mr.Scott, posted by Ron Hill on December 11, 2003, at 11:07:47
Thanks folks! Your input is far better than what my spinning out of control brain can muster today. I have an impending death in the family, the flu, and a girfriend that keeps coming in and out of my life. It's difficult to keep everything straight in my head.
Scott
Posted by Francesco on December 11, 2003, at 19:04:47
In reply to Trileptal vs. Lamictal or Both? , posted by Mr.Scott on December 11, 2003, at 1:21:50
Sorry Mr. Scott I don't think I can help you, I am a novice in the mood stabilizer world (started Trileptal four days ago). May I ask you which side effects (if any) have you experienced with Trileptal ? I'm expecially concerned about the cognitive problems since I have also Adhd features. Best wishes
Posted by Maxime on December 12, 2003, at 15:35:03
In reply to Trileptal vs. Lamictal or Both? , posted by Mr.Scott on December 11, 2003, at 1:21:50
Hey Mr. Scott. Why switch if it's working for you?
I'm BP type 1. I can't take depakote or lithium though because of side effects. I tried the lamictal and it made me very, very depressed. I am getting ready to start Trileptal. I hope I have as much success as you do you on it. :)Maxime
Posted by poop'd-out on December 13, 2003, at 19:43:04
In reply to Re: Trileptal vs. Lamictal or Both? , posted by Maxime on December 12, 2003, at 15:35:03
> Hey Mr. Scott. Why switch if it's working for you?
> I'm BP type 1. I can't take depakote or lithium though because of side effects. I tried the lamictal and it made me very, very depressed. I am getting ready to start Trileptal. I hope I have as much success as you do you on it. :)
>
> MaximeMaxime,
How much Lamictal did you get up to, and how long were you on it for? Also, were you taking any other meds along with it?
Much thanks,
Beth
Posted by Mr.Scott on December 15, 2003, at 18:09:50
In reply to Re: Trileptal vs. Lamictal or Both? » Maxime, posted by poop'd-out on December 13, 2003, at 19:43:04
When I take an AD I get wonderfully hypomanic for a few days or weeks...then it pisses out and I only notice side effects and maybe a barrier from the deepest and darkest of moods, but the chronic remains. That first period on an AD is actually dangerous for me. I get overconfident and spend too much money. I idealize relationships that may be less than ideal, and participate in them in a way that looks harmful or scarry a week later. I don't know what to do with myself except to accept that I'm mentally ill and unstable which does wonders for the ego. Last week I was having sex 3 times on each date and having a hard time sleeping...This week I'm depressed and involved in a relationship again that I thought had ended for a reason (namely because I am not ready to take on anything beyond my problematic self!). I also overspent on Christmas gifts.
Ahh! Lexapro...Thank you for the credit card bill and the return of hassles I just managed to free myself from.
I am hopeless, erratic, and going to bed for a few hours. I just don't know what to do with myself..
Scott
Posted by Jota on December 17, 2003, at 20:19:26
In reply to Re: Trileptal vs. Lamictal or Both?, posted by Mr.Scott on December 15, 2003, at 18:09:50
On the advice of a top researcher at NIMH, I've been taking BOTH carbatrol (very similar to Trileptal) and Lamictal since the Spring. (I'm also taking Lexapro+Straterra+Wellbutrin).
The combination has been pretty successful in overcoming an initially treatment resistant depression.
Good Luck!
Jordan
This is the end of the thread.
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