Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 88251

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Newly diagnosed Bipolar- question about meds

Posted by 3 Beer Effect on December 30, 2001, at 14:37:35

Which bipolar meds have anti-depressant action since I seem to be depressed much more than manic?

Which bipolar meds help with social phobia?

Which bipolar meds have a "dumb drug" effect? (I am returning to U of Texas at Austin in the fall & cannot take a medication that impairs memory or makes it impossible to complete assignments.

 

Re: Newly diagnosed Bipolar- question about meds » 3 Beer Effect

Posted by Mitch on December 30, 2001, at 16:23:18

In reply to Newly diagnosed Bipolar- question about meds, posted by 3 Beer Effect on December 30, 2001, at 14:37:35

> Which bipolar meds have anti-depressant action since I seem to be depressed much more than manic?
>
> Which bipolar meds help with social phobia?
>
> Which bipolar meds have a "dumb drug" effect? (I am returning to U of Texas at Austin in the fall & cannot take a medication that impairs memory or makes it impossible to complete assignments.

I would take a stab at Neurontin. It is probably the only mood stabilizer that seems to significantly help SP symptoms. Of course, Klonopin helps, too.

As far as depression goes Lithium and Neurontin helped with most for me. Lamictal has been shown to be effective for depression, too.

If you are worried about cognitive problems (studying), lower dose Neurontin, Tegretol, Trileptal, and even Lithium and Depakote aren't that bad. Stay away from Gabitril and Topamax (or at least don't consider these first). Lamictal is a good idea, but there's the rash thing.

Mitch

 

Re: Newly diagnosed Bipolar- question about meds

Posted by ST on December 30, 2001, at 23:03:20

In reply to Newly diagnosed Bipolar- question about meds, posted by 3 Beer Effect on December 30, 2001, at 14:37:35

Hi -
I, too, am bi polar with mostly depressive tendencies. You should be on a mood stabilizer to curb the ups and downs (although you probably mostly feel the downs!) and also an antidepressant to lift your mood. I've been on the mood stabilizer Depakote for almost 7 years now with success. I take 750 mg daily. At higher levels I felt kind of numb and slow. So have your doc start you out slowly. It seems doctors like to over medicate bi polars for fear we'll run in to the middle of the highway in a sudden manic phase. They figure it's probably best to keep us a little low than too high. I've actually had doctors admit this to me. There are other mood stabilizing drugs now on the market, but I'm not too familiar with them.
As for antidepressants, it's always trial and error with those! I've been on Prozac, Serzone, Celexa and Wellbutrin. I'm now on Effexor. You just have to try one and give it a shot and see what it does for you. In my experience, the ADs are not what "dumbed" me out, but the mood stabilizer at too high of a dose.
Good luck!
Sarah

 

Re: Newly diagnosed Bipolar- question about meds » ST

Posted by Krazy Kat on January 1, 2002, at 15:10:57

In reply to Re: Newly diagnosed Bipolar- question about meds, posted by ST on December 30, 2001, at 23:03:20

Your experience is very similar to mine. I have lowered my Depakote from 1500 mg (slowly) to 500. This may not be quite enough, but even at 1000 I felt very flat.

Also taking Neuorntin and Prozac (60 mg). It's the best mix yet (the Neurontin seems to help keep the edge off the Prozac).

- K.

 

Re: Newly diagnosed Bipolar- question about meds

Posted by OldSchool on January 1, 2002, at 18:59:28

In reply to Newly diagnosed Bipolar- question about meds, posted by 3 Beer Effect on December 30, 2001, at 14:37:35

> Which bipolar meds have anti-depressant action since I seem to be depressed much more than manic?

Lamictal

>
> Which bipolar meds help with social phobia?

I have never heard of bipolar meds (anticonvulsants) being used for social phobia. But then again I believe social phobia to be a not real psychiatric illness, it was created mainly by the drug companies so they could sell more drugs (Paxil). Social phobia is really just a fancy twenty dollar psychiatry word for shyness. Social phobia is a psychology "label" its not a real psychiatric disease. Shyness...or social phobia can be a character trait in which there is really nothing you can do about it.

Or it can be a result of underlying depression or anxiety. In which case medication can help. Paxil is the only drug I know of formally FDA approved for social phobia.

One non drug approach to social phobia which can be VERY effective is an aggressive workout program, emphasizing weight training. Youd be surprised at the amount of self confidence that can be built by a six month heavy free weight program. Im serious here...dont laugh.

The development of one's body leads to self confidence and probably decreased social phobia.

>
> Which bipolar meds have a "dumb drug" effect? (I am returning to U of Texas at Austin in the fall & cannot take a medication that impairs memory or makes it impossible to complete assignments.

All of them except maybe lamictal LOL. Topomax is known for being particularly sedating and creating a dumbing down effect. Its jokingly referred to as "Topostupid." But really, all the anticonvulsants are sedating with the one exception of lamictal. Anything sedating is liable to create a "dumbing down" effect.

Because of their sedating side effect profiles, many of the anticonvulsants tend to be decent drugs for anxiety.

Old School


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