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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MJC on October 11, 2002, at 11:33:33
Hey all, my Doctor has suggested that I go on a mood stabilizer to battle my manic episodes and a lot of the older ones just don't sound like I'd want to try to handle them, ex. Depakote, Lithium, Tegretol etc.I've noticed that they've been using a fairly new medication that is similar to Tegretol called Trileptal. Has anybody used this medication yet? If so, what do you think of it?
Also, do you have any recommendations on any other effective Mood Stabilizers. I don't want anything that could slow my thinking process down for good while I'm on the medication. I'm also pretty wary about the whole liver thing with Epival and Tegretol just sounds like it has nasty side effects.
Thanks,
Mike
Posted by ROO on October 11, 2002, at 14:57:28
In reply to Is Trileptal effective as a Mood Stabilizer?, posted by MJC on October 11, 2002, at 11:33:33
I would highly recommend lamictal....
Posted by melinda on October 12, 2002, at 14:33:51
In reply to Is Trileptal effective as a Mood Stabilizer?, posted by MJC on October 11, 2002, at 11:33:33
My mom took Trileptal for bipolar disorder. She said it was helpful, but side-effects were intolerable so she was switched to Risperidal. At one point she took Tegretol and she had problems with that, too.
Posted by judy1 on October 13, 2002, at 10:24:58
In reply to Is Trileptal effective as a Mood Stabilizer?, posted by MJC on October 11, 2002, at 11:33:33
I've taken all the mood stabilizers- lamictal is very effective with a low side-effect profile once you get past the rash scare- it does however work well for depression and poorly for mania, so it depends on what your main problem is. I also had side-effects with trileptal-sedation, nausea- not in the class of tegretol but still bothersome. But give it a try, that's the only way you'll know for sure. BTW, I take mood stabilizers only when I start to have an episode- and if it's manic, I take depakote, if it's really bad than zyprexa is added. For depression, I use therapy. good luck- judy
Posted by catmint on October 15, 2002, at 1:09:12
In reply to Re: Is Trileptal effective as a Mood Stabilizer? » MJC, posted by judy1 on October 13, 2002, at 10:24:58
Hi Judy,
I recently had to discontinue Lamictal due to a rash and am hestitant to try again. My pdr gave me a prescription for Trileptal just today but after reading the posts about the fatigue and nausea, I'm not into it. I tend to react to all meds in a negative way.
I am writing to you because you mentioned that you only use mood stabilizers on an as needed basis and that you use therapy for depression. How long have you been doing this? IF you don't mind me asking, what kind of therapy do you find useful for bipolar depression?
Since I have been unsuccesful with all the mood stablilizers, and of course we all know that we can't take an AD as monotherapy, I desperately need help with the depression.
Thank you,
Amy
Posted by judy1 on October 16, 2002, at 22:23:59
In reply to Re: Is Trileptal effective as a Mood Stabilizer? » judy1, posted by catmint on October 15, 2002, at 1:09:12
Hi Amy,
It took me 2 years to develope the trust needed to take mood stabilizers on a prn basis- with my shrink and therapist (this of course pertains to listening to them when manic). As far as depression, we use a combination of interpersonal and DBT (I self-injure), and depending on the severity of the depression I've gone in 3-4x/week and phone calls if I'm suicidal. I realize this is a lot more work for the client and the professional, but I was fortunate to get a team that cares about me (and I also have a very low tolerance for side-effects of drugs). It took over a dozen shrinks to find one who would support me in this way but it has been worth it- I used to be hospitalized 2-3x/year, now it's maybe once every 2-3 years. I wish you all the best- judy
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