Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 585460

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Can I take an SSRI with Depakote?

Posted by CK1 on December 4, 2005, at 18:12:58

I'm diagnosed as "bipolar spectrum" with comorbid social anxiety.

I was on Paxil 10mg for 3 years and it helped wonderfully with the social anxiety but stopped working last this past January and every other SSRI I've tried since then has made me jittery,agitated, and anxious -- essentially putting me in mixed states.

I was put on Depakote ER 500mg about a month ago and I can really feel it leveling me out (i'd feel great one day, bad the next, etc), but it is doing NOTHING for my social anxiety and depression.

I also take Adderall some days which helps depression greatly but makes anxiety worse.

Since Paxil worked sooo well for so long, I really think an SSRI is the one thing that will help my social anxiety.

1) Can adding a mood stabilizer like Depakote to an SSRI that previously pooped out and/or didn't work, cause the SSRI to regain it's effectiveness?
2) If an SSRI like Effexor made me extremely panicky without a mood stabilizer, would it have a different effect taken with a mood stabilizer?
3) If I cannot take SSRI's anymore, what is available for bipolars to help with depression/social anxiety/motivation?

I just started twice weekly therapy last week and I have high hopes about it as far as helping me "cope" with this and "help" anxiety, but I still think that I also need to get my meds right also!

 

Re: Can I take an SSRI with Depakote?

Posted by linkadge on December 4, 2005, at 19:45:00

In reply to Can I take an SSRI with Depakote?, posted by CK1 on December 4, 2005, at 18:12:58

Yes, you can take a SSRI with depakote. I did it for a while.

Make sure you take folic acid with depakote, it can help the depression.

I found that omega 3 mixed very well with depakote.

Adding an SSRI might cause destabalization though.

Linkadge


 

Re: Can I take an SSRI with Depakote?

Posted by Phillipa on December 4, 2005, at 20:03:07

In reply to Re: Can I take an SSRI with Depakote?, posted by linkadge on December 4, 2005, at 19:45:00

Hi CKl, I still say New York City is your best med! Fondly, Phillipa

 

Re: Can I take an SSRI with Depakote? » Phillipa

Posted by ace on December 4, 2005, at 22:07:35

In reply to Re: Can I take an SSRI with Depakote?, posted by Phillipa on December 4, 2005, at 20:03:07

> Hi CKl, I still say New York City is your best med! Fondly, Phillipa


sorry i been so slack Phillipa!!! I'll be with you soon...just snowed under at the moment....free album 4 u!

Ace

 

Re: Can I take an SSRI with Depakote? » ace

Posted by Phillipa on December 4, 2005, at 22:36:29

In reply to Re: Can I take an SSRI with Depakote? » Phillipa, posted by ace on December 4, 2005, at 22:07:35

Oh Ace I'm so excited! Can't wait! But I'll try and be patient not one of my virtues. My Champion and King! Fondly, Phillipa

 

Re: Can I take an SSRI with Depakote?

Posted by med_empowered on December 5, 2005, at 4:12:42

In reply to Re: Can I take an SSRI with Depakote? » ace, posted by Phillipa on December 4, 2005, at 22:36:29

hey! Yeah, SSRI+depakote (or lithium, tegreol/trileptal, etc.) combos are pretty common in bipolar disorder and some depressive disorders. The SSRI *could* cause destabilization, and they come with their own side effects that need to be considered but...it could offer some improvement in mood and anxiety. Sometimes, the mood-stabilizer+ssri combo actually makes both work better; mood-stabilizers sometimes help people with "ssri poop-out" and they can prevent the SSRI from making the mood more erratic, which could hinder progress. Some people who don't respond to SSRIs get pretty good results with Effexor. Since Effexor and Cymbalta are pretty similar, cymbalta may also be worth considering. Adding BuSpar to an SSRI can also help with AD response and anxiety (in some people), although the side effects of the combo are intolerable for some people. Good luck!

 

Re: Can I take an SSRI with Depakote?

Posted by blueberry on December 5, 2005, at 13:54:40

In reply to Can I take an SSRI with Depakote?, posted by CK1 on December 4, 2005, at 18:12:58

SSRI plus depakote...no prob. It's pretty common. I was on lexapro and depakoteER 500mg but just switched to zoloft with the depakote. Have also used depakote with prozac. They combine depakote with just about anything,and have for about 40 years all over the world. Mixing it with lamictal is tricky.


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