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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by alchemy on June 4, 2013, at 22:30:13
I have always kind of cycled, sometimes every few days or even the same day. The only stabilizer that hasnt made me more depressed is lamictal, which I still take. I dont think it works as a stabilizer for me, but I think it has helped my previous agitation.
I know that antidepressants have the potential to worsen bipolar tendencies. I have recently started nortriptyline. There are days when I have thought that it might be helping, but then there are my usual down days. I started at a low dose of 10 mg and just recently moved up to 20mg. I am at least relieved that it hasnt worsened my mood (which is often the case).
Has anyone experienced an up and down period when starting a new med that eventually evened out?
Posted by alchemy on June 5, 2013, at 15:31:59
In reply to Mood fluctuations while adjusting to new meds?, posted by alchemy on June 4, 2013, at 22:30:13
> I have always kind of cycled, sometimes every few days or even the same day. The only stabilizer that hasnt made me more depressed is lamictal, which I still take. I dont think it works as a stabilizer for me, but I think it has helped my previous agitation.
> I know that antidepressants have the potential to worsen bipolar tendencies. I have recently started nortriptyline. There are days when I have thought that it might be helping, but then there are my usual down days. I started at a low dose of 10 mg and just recently moved up to 20mg. I am at least relieved that it hasnt worsened my mood (which is often the case).
> Has anyone experienced an up and down period when starting a new med that eventually evened out?Or is it just rapid cycling :(
Posted by rjlockhart37 on June 5, 2013, at 23:13:53
In reply to Mood fluctuations while adjusting to new meds?, posted by alchemy on June 4, 2013, at 22:30:13
Strattera.....it made me irrtible and vary sarcastic due to over load of NE, always in a bad mood and irrtible.
You should try Depakote, or Topamax but still they have their side effects....
Posted by Beckett on June 5, 2013, at 23:14:20
In reply to Re: Mood fluctuations while adjusting to new meds?, posted by alchemy on June 5, 2013, at 15:31:59
This is out of left field, but have you tried lithium? I am at 750mg (900mg was too high according to my bloodwork), and much of my day to day cycling/emotional lability have cleared up. I never thought that would happen. I am not BP 1 but some kind of BP. Anyways, a high dose might be worth it if you haven't tried it.
(Sorry I don't have the answer for you original question.)
Posted by SLS on June 6, 2013, at 10:54:36
In reply to Re: Mood fluctuations while adjusting to new meds?, posted by Beckett on June 5, 2013, at 23:14:20
> This is out of left field, but have you tried lithium?
I was just about to say that.
:-)
Lithium + Lamictal make a good combination for rapid cycling. These drugs might not penetrate the cycle immediately, so you might have to wait a few months for it to produce robust results.
- Scott
Posted by alchemy on June 6, 2013, at 19:01:24
In reply to Re: Mood fluctuations while adjusting to new meds?, posted by Beckett on June 5, 2013, at 23:14:20
> This is out of left field, but have you tried lithium? I am at 750mg (900mg was too high according to my bloodwork), and much of my day to day cycling/emotional lability have cleared up. I never thought that would happen. I am not BP 1 but some kind of BP. Anyways, a high dose might be worth it if you haven't tried it.
>
> (Sorry I don't have the answer for you original question.)That is interesting... a high dose of lithium for rapid cycling? I have tried lithium a couple of times and it didnt help me with my cycling and gave me side effects like feeling stupid. It also didnt help with my mood, as sometimes smaller doses are given to augment.
Unfortunately, all of the other mood stabilizers and antipsychotics make me agitated and/or more depressed. Frustrating!
Studies show that lithium isnt real effective for rapid cycling and Lamictal is the standard. Why do you think the high dose worked for you? (I was also on Lamictal when I tried lithium).
Thanks!
Posted by Beckett on June 8, 2013, at 17:45:23
In reply to Re: Mood fluctuations while adjusting to new meds?, posted by alchemy on June 6, 2013, at 19:01:24
I don't know why lithium is beneficial. I suspect it flattens me, but how much is difficult to gauge because I am still depressed. However, my moods no longer ping-pong all day.
Oddly, it helps me sleep, too. I still need sleep assistance though.
It was given to me during a severe depression with thoughts of death. Those thoughts began to lift after the first dose. The depression is still here, though not as bad :(
This is the end of the thread.
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