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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TomG on April 9, 2006, at 17:16:38
Are there any others besides lithium?
Also, I'd like to hear about your trial of the mood stabilizer and how it applied to you in this reguard.
Tom
Posted by blueberry on April 9, 2006, at 17:38:05
In reply to Mood Stabilzers w/ calming Antidepressant Action?, posted by TomG on April 9, 2006, at 17:16:38
Years ago I tried lamictal and don't remember much about it except it gave me insomnia and some general dulling effect but really didn't seem to do much.
Depakote extended release 500mg had immediate surprising tranquil calming and motivational antidepressant action beginning on the first day. Weeks later I couldn't tell if it was doing anything and sporadic depressive moments had returned. The calming was great though.
Fogginess and weight gain are common side effects.
Posted by Maxime on April 9, 2006, at 17:50:36
In reply to Mood Stabilzers w/ calming Antidepressant Action?, posted by TomG on April 9, 2006, at 17:16:38
> Are there any others besides lithium?
>
> Also, I'd like to hear about your trial of the mood stabilizer and how it applied to you in this reguard.
>
> TomTrileptal was the med for me. It helped my depression slightly and it was calming (I took it night). No side effects from Trileptal.
maxime
Posted by greywolf on April 9, 2006, at 19:37:55
In reply to Re: Mood Stabilzers w/ calming Antidepressant Action?, posted by Maxime on April 9, 2006, at 17:50:36
I'm on a low dose of Depakote (750mg/day), supplemented with 4mg/day Xanax. After a couple weeks, the Depakote seems to have had a minimal AD effect, but I wouldn't count on it for much, at least at low dose.
Posted by med_empowered on April 9, 2006, at 20:57:43
In reply to Re: Mood Stabilzers w/ calming Antidepressant Action?, posted by greywolf on April 9, 2006, at 19:37:55
Trileptal was OK for me--nothing dramatic, but noticeable. I've heard depakote is helpful. The atypicals might help, but I personally think the risks/benefits ratio isnt so great for non-psychotic issues (just a personal thing). Ummm...Surmontil is a TCA AD, but it has mood-stabilizing, soothing properties, and might be helpful (in mega doses) for psychosis, since its kind of clozapine-esque. And there's fish oil--that might be helpful for you, and the side effects are minimal.
Good luck!
Posted by Caedmon on April 9, 2006, at 21:04:20
In reply to Re: Mood Stabilzers w/ calming Antidepressant Acti, posted by med_empowered on April 9, 2006, at 20:57:43
Lamictal or atypical antipsychotics. As far as I know those are basically it. I like fish oil too but not as an antimanic. I didn't tolerate Lamictal. I really like Risperdal but I don't take it long-term, just for manic episodes, I don't want the metabolic syndrome.
Sometimes benzodiazepines can work in a hitch for mood stability + they are very calming. But I generally think Lithium or the antiepileptic drugs are the best prophylactic meds as mood stabilizers. Depakote isn't necessarily antidepressing, but it can be good for anxiety. Same with Tegretol or Trileptal.
I'm very intrigued by Lyrica (pregabalin), which does not have demonstrable efficacy for bipolar nor is it within a reasonable price range for me, but I just hear good things about it. Esp. for anxiety.
- C
Posted by Phillipa on April 10, 2006, at 0:01:27
In reply to Re: Mood Stabilzers w/ calming Antidepressant Acti, posted by Caedmon on April 9, 2006, at 21:04:20
I took l50 of trileptal supposed to help with sleep was supposed to raise to 300mg but it was too expensive on disability so I stopped it. No side effects no withdrawal either. Love Phillipa
Posted by upsndowns on April 10, 2006, at 14:19:12
In reply to Re: Mood Stabilzers w/ calming Antidepressant Acti, posted by Phillipa on April 10, 2006, at 0:01:27
Just started Lyrica with my Abilify and smidge of Zyprexa and I find that the Lyrica has a calming effect, no fog or confusion at this dose(100mg) and it helps me sleep. I have been able to use it to replace in my cocktail Ambien and Buspar. So far it does not cause any increase in appetite or weight gain, I have been on it for about a month. Don't know if it is having any antidepressant action or if I am just in a better place right now so it seems that it does. Can't wait to see what my pdoc does when I see him next week with this report.
This is the end of the thread.
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