Posted by Silentscream on August 7, 2015, at 9:12:35
In reply to Re: Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) causing depression » Silentscream, posted by phidippus on August 5, 2015, at 10:21:16
> I don't think the Trileptal is to blame for your depressive symptoms-you are on a very low dose.
>
> I think you may be entering a depressive phase of your illness-Trileptal does not function well as an antidepressant.
>
> What have you taken for depression in the past?
>
> EricHi. You might be right there, Eric.
I've taken every SSRI, Effexor (angry hypomania and crazy fast mood swings, all of them), ginkgo biloba, tianeptine (Stablon), mirtazapine (Remeron) and a few tryciclics.
I can't remember how I fared on tryciclics, I was too young.
Mirtazapine made me sleep really well and quite happy and energetic, without signs of mania. But the weight gain was... tremendous. It doesn't quite help with anxiety and cognitive issues, as well.
SSRIs and the like are not good alternatives. They make me worse than I would be with no medication at all, with or without lithium and mood stabilizers adjunct.
Tianeptine... I feel good on it, but it alters my behavior and personality, as well as making me a little dissociative... It works to stabilize moods and energy, but it really puts me under a different state of consciousness I can't describe. Better not try this one again unless I really have to.
Ginkgo biloba... It's fantastic. best AD for me, hands down. Fixes cognitive issues, too, to a great extent. However, I'm seeking an extract I can tolerate side effect wise. Really wish I could take this every day, I still believe I'll never find something this good for my bipolar depression and cognitive problems.
I'm now on Seroquel (50mg at night) and it's working good for every symptom, so far, although mildly. After I reach target dose, I'll see if I feel good on it, I'll add Trileptal again.
I'm curious about trying Seroquel + ginkgo biloba first, though. I saw a poster here reporting great success for bipolar II on them, for the very same issues I have, specially the cognitive ones.
But I know nothing can fix some issues like Trileptal did, such as constant rage and anger.
poster:Silentscream
thread:1080558
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20150806/msgs/1081126.html