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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sheilac on February 26, 2012, at 10:59:42
Doc has me on 300mg lithium for depression. It works. 450mg Trileptal and some Klonopin.
Problem is the Trileptal is causing constipation!
Not sure I can stick with it. Don't know what to do.
Miserable!
Posted by Phillipa on February 26, 2012, at 12:12:59
In reply to Trileptal problems..., posted by Sheilac on February 26, 2012, at 10:59:42
Try some magnesium citrate. I didn't know trileptal constipated. Phillipa
Posted by Sheilac on February 26, 2012, at 14:23:57
In reply to Re: Trileptal problems... » Sheilac, posted by Phillipa on February 26, 2012, at 12:12:59
I usually take magnesium, but maybe if I take extra magnesium at night it wont be so bad. I don't know. It's been awful though.
Posted by Christ_empowered on February 27, 2012, at 0:17:29
In reply to Magnisium Re: Trileptal problems..., posted by Sheilac on February 26, 2012, at 14:23:57
Maybe some sort of fiber supplement and/or high fiber foods (dried berries might be good..and they're good for you). Just a thought. Loads of vitamin C (the instant release kind, not time release) taken all at once usually gets results pretty quickly, at least from what I've read.
Good luck!
Posted by SLS on February 27, 2012, at 6:36:15
In reply to Trileptal problems..., posted by Sheilac on February 26, 2012, at 10:59:42
> Doc has me on 300mg lithium for depression.
>
> It works.Yay!
> 450mg Trileptal and some Klonopin.
>
> Problem is the Trileptal is causing constipation!How are you currently benefiting from Trileptal?
Why was Trileptal chosen for you?
What is you diagnosis?
- Scott
Posted by Sheilac on February 27, 2012, at 7:49:40
In reply to Re: Trileptal problems... » Sheilac, posted by SLS on February 27, 2012, at 6:36:15
Actually, I think Trileptal is helping a little. I am BPII. The low dose lithium really helps with my depression but I needed something more for mood which is where the Trileptal comes in.
I can't do high dose lithium as I start to lose hair and the higher doses make me depressed.
So far the low dose combo is working and I'm sleeping better with 2mg Klonopin and 3mg melatonin.
I guess I just need to add more magnisium to the mix to help with the constipation.
Posted by SLS on February 27, 2012, at 8:53:36
In reply to Re: Trileptal problems..., posted by Sheilac on February 27, 2012, at 7:49:40
> Actually, I think Trileptal is helping a little. I am BPII. The low dose lithium really helps with my depression but I needed something more for mood which is where the Trileptal comes in.
>
> I can't do high dose lithium as I start to lose hair and the higher doses make me depressed.
>
> So far the low dose combo is working and I'm sleeping better with 2mg Klonopin and 3mg melatonin.
>
> I guess I just need to add more magnisium to the mix to help with the constipation.
How do you know that the Trileptal is helping?
- Scott
Posted by sheilac on February 27, 2012, at 13:00:44
In reply to Re: Trileptal problems... » Sheilac, posted by SLS on February 27, 2012, at 8:53:36
Right now I take the 300mg of Trileptal in the morning and it seems to help me during the day - I don't need as much klonopin. It helps keep me even (not angry and aggressive) without making me depressed. It may even be helping with my depression.
At night I take 150mg. It seems to help a little with sleep.
I think at my next appt I will need to move up the dosage to 300mg twice a day.
I do well on low doses of meds and so far so good with the Trileptal. I think I just need more of it in order to really help as a mood stabilizer. But so far, no mood outbursts or aggressive anger outbursts.
Posted by SLS on February 27, 2012, at 13:10:41
In reply to Helping...Trileptal problems..., posted by sheilac on February 27, 2012, at 13:00:44
> Right now I take the 300mg of Trileptal in the morning and it seems to help me during the day - I don't need as much klonopin. It helps keep me even (not angry and aggressive) without making me depressed. It may even be helping with my depression.
>
> At night I take 150mg. It seems to help a little with sleep.
>
> I think at my next appt I will need to move up the dosage to 300mg twice a day.
>
> I do well on low doses of meds and so far so good with the Trileptal. I think I just need more of it in order to really help as a mood stabilizer. But so far, no mood outbursts or aggressive anger outbursts.
>Yup. That's what Trileptal and its sister drug, Tegretol, are known for. They reduce irritability, impulsiveness, anger, and aggression, even in people who do not have a mood disorder. I think it has a place in the treatment of borderline personality disorder. I liked Trileptal when I tried it. I found it to be somewhat energizing, but not enough to justify continuing with it. It really is a clean drug.
Tegretol has a tendency to be sedating, and you need to follow up with frequent blood tests to screen for agranulocyctosis.
I look forward to seeing some followup posts from you bringing good news.
- Scott
Posted by Sheilac on February 27, 2012, at 17:37:14
In reply to Re: Helping...Trileptal problems... » sheilac, posted by SLS on February 27, 2012, at 13:10:41
Thanks Scott. Yea Tegretol just interfered with too many meds and I was exhausted all the time. So far Trileptal is great for the irritability and aggressiveness. I feel I really need 300mg at night though because I start to feel a little aggressive before my morning 300mg of Trileptal.
I don't see the doc for another 2 weeks but I plan to ask for an increase to 600mg just because of that.
Posted by Phillipa on February 27, 2012, at 18:49:00
In reply to Scott. Re: Helping...Trileptal problems..., posted by Sheilac on February 27, 2012, at 17:37:14
Just so you know even me the med phobic was able to take 150mg of trileptal. Was supposed to go to 300mg but couldn't afford it so stopped altogether. My constipation isn't really constipation it's organ damage from childbirth I must have almost a liquid stool. I know not healthy but can't push. Have had colonoscopy and no anal spinter muscle problem. So take the 600mg of magnesium. Phillipa
Posted by Raisinb on February 27, 2012, at 19:20:37
In reply to Trileptal problems..., posted by Sheilac on February 26, 2012, at 10:59:42
Are you sure it is trileptal? I had horrible constipation from lithium.
Either way, I would also suggest magnesium. It's amazing how much it helps. I also had great results eating these gummy candies my mom had lying around: Sustenex. When I was on lithium, nothing got me moving like those did.
This is the end of the thread.
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