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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 18, 2004, at 23:53:25
In reply to Re: my thoughts as a bipolar, posted by jdgjdg on February 18, 2004, at 0:25:18
> > judy - i agree with you entirely. i do wish my pdoc had prescribed a stabilizer for me first and foremost, yet I know he was being cautious re: the amount and type of meds out of logical concern. so i praise him for that. boy, tremors -- i have Bad tremors from Depakote at times. I don't know if they're reversible or not. and the cognitive side effects - awful.
> >
> > i esp. identify with the question, "why would anyone Want to have such a horrible disease?" anyone who's taken these meds knows they're no fun. oh, and those suicide attempts - rather rough on family. ;)
> >
> > but there's a romantic view of mental illness these days. the "crazy" are the "creative". and i don't think some people realize that one can't get dressed in the morning much less paint a masterpiece during most of these "episodes".
> >
> > is that along the lines of your thoughts?
> >
> > i read something about all mood disorders being a part of the same spectrum. that's an interesting take. and if that's the case, unless someone is suicidal or psychotic, i imagine a pdoc is best off prescribing the least intrusive med first. so, thinking further, mine was probably acting in the best way possible.
> >
> > please know i completely understood your question, wasn't "challenging it at all", just thinking it through.
> >
> > take care and hope you and your children are doing well.
> >
> > - kk
>
>
> Hello...I'm new to this and found this thread by searching "bipolar". I was recently diagnosed with bipolar after what seems like a life time of denial. My doctor mentioned Lithium in addition to Wellbutrin. I am currently taking Lexapro for OCD as well. I know the Lexapro did not cause the bipolar because I can trace symptoms back many, many years. I actually had a pretty good stint of almost 2 years mania free. This has unfortunately come to an end. Anyway...what I was getting at. I'm nervous about taking such a heavy duty drug such as lithium. I could barely tolerate Zoloft and my doctor switched me to Lexapro which gives me no problems. Unfortunately, the Lex does nothing for the depression or manic episodes. Thank goodness it helps the OCD. Can anyone think of topics and concerns I should present to my psychiatrist? I will also be seeing a therapist twice weekly. I am blessed to have a great Psychiatrist who actually listens to me. I think he will be receptive to any of my concerns. I just know nothing about the drugs to treat bipolar. Thanks...jdgjdg
>
>
Posted by Tony P on February 19, 2004, at 3:58:47
In reply to Re: my thoughts as a bipolar « jdgjdg, posted by Dr. Bob on February 18, 2004, at 23:53:25
My pdoc is sold on Lamictal as a combined stabilizer and anti-depressant for both BP1 and 2, less intrusive side-effects and easier to manage the dose than lithium. You also might be able to eliminate or reduce the dose of Lexapro or Wellbutrin because of the A/D effect. I am not yet completely stabilized on Lamictal, but life is MUCH better than it was 2 months ago. Worth asking about.
Tony P
>>
jdgjdg>>Hello...I'm new to this and found this thread by searching "bipolar". I was recently diagnosed with bipolar after what seems like a life time of denial. My doctor mentioned Lithium in addition to Wellbutrin. I am currently taking Lexapro for OCD as well. I know the Lexapro did not cause the bipolar because I can trace symptoms back many, many years. I actually had a pretty good stint of almost 2 years mania free. This has unfortunately come to an end. Anyway...what I was getting at. I'm nervous about taking such a heavy duty drug such as lithium. I could barely tolerate Zoloft and my doctor switched me to Lexapro which gives me no problems. Unfortunately, the Lex does nothing for the depression or manic episodes. Thank goodness it helps the OCD. Can anyone think of topics and concerns I should present to my psychiatrist? I will also be seeing a therapist twice weekly. I am blessed to have a great Psychiatrist who actually listens to me. I think he will be receptive to any of my concerns. I just know nothing about the drugs to treat bipolar. Thanks...jdgjdg
> >
> >
>
Posted by polarbear206 on February 19, 2004, at 7:51:22
In reply to Re: my thoughts as a bipolar, posted by Tony P on February 19, 2004, at 3:58:47
> My pdoc is sold on Lamictal as a combined stabilizer and anti-depressant for both BP1 and 2, less intrusive side-effects and easier to manage the dose than lithium. You also might be able to eliminate or reduce the dose of Lexapro or Wellbutrin because of the A/D effect. I am not yet completely stabilized on Lamictal, but life is MUCH better than it was 2 months ago. Worth asking about.
>
> Tony P
>
> >>
> jdgjdg>>Hello...I'm new to this and found this thread by searching "bipolar". I was recently diagnosed with bipolar after what seems like a life time of denial. My doctor mentioned Lithium in addition to Wellbutrin. I am currently taking Lexapro for OCD as well. I know the Lexapro did not cause the bipolar because I can trace symptoms back many, many years. I actually had a pretty good stint of almost 2 years mania free. This has unfortunately come to an end. Anyway...what I was getting at. I'm nervous about taking such a heavy duty drug such as lithium. I could barely tolerate Zoloft and my doctor switched me to Lexapro which gives me no problems. Unfortunately, the Lex does nothing for the depression or manic episodes. Thank goodness it helps the OCD. Can anyone think of topics and concerns I should present to my psychiatrist? I will also be seeing a therapist twice weekly. I am blessed to have a great Psychiatrist who actually listens to me. I think he will be receptive to any of my concerns. I just know nothing about the drugs to treat bipolar. Thanks...jdgjdg
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
Tony,I take lamictal and effexor for bipolar 2 and having great results. Since going up to 200mg, I've been able to cut back on the AD. I was still having mixed states til I went up to 200 and cut back on the AD. I'm going to push up to 250, then 300mg. I'd like to take the lowest dose possible of effexor (150mg at present) since I'm having good AD effects on lamictal and moods are more even. How much lamictal are you on at present and your AD?
Polarbear
Posted by Tony P on February 19, 2004, at 17:29:01
In reply to Re: my thoughts as a bipolar- Tony P, posted by polarbear206 on February 19, 2004, at 7:51:22
>[...earlier posts clipped...]
>
> Tony,
>
> I take lamictal and effexor for bipolar 2 and having great results. Since going up to 200mg, I've been able to cut back on the AD. I was still having mixed states til I went up to 200 and cut back on the AD. I'm going to push up to 250, then 300mg. I'd like to take the lowest dose possible of effexor (150mg at present) since I'm having good AD effects on lamictal and moods are more even. How much lamictal are you on at present and your AD?
>
> PolarbearI've just moved up from 200 to 250 mg/day Lamictal 3 days ago, and notice an appreciable mood improvement (although I am also doing some other good things for depression this week that are no doubt having their effect too).
I am also taking a legacy cocktail of other psychoactive drugs that I hope I can cut back on with the Lamictal starting to work well: Clonazepam, diazepam, Buspar, Zopiclone. I was also self-medicating with OTC Robaxin to curb the agitation and anxiety with some of my former A/D's.
My pdoc has also given me a low dose of Seroquel (25-50 mg) to use if I swing too far up on Lamictal dosage changes, and to help with sleep. I don't find it very effective for the latter, but the Zopiclone has pretty much pooped out on me.
I hope the Lamictal plus better daily habits/structure will eventually lead to an improvement in my sleep pattern - waking up every 2-3 hours, than a few days later going hypersomnic and sleeping all day is the pits!
If the Lamictal seems insufficient A/D, Effexor is my pdoc's next suggestion, probably added to the Lamictal as I defintely react as Bipolar 3 (hypomanic/cyclothymia with some A/Ds). But so far I am finding the Lamictal sufficient - especially if I do the other things which are often so hard to do in the depths of d., like getting out of bed and outside, meeting with support groups, exercise, etc.
Tony
This is the end of the thread.
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