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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sunnydays on March 5, 2007, at 19:17:34
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone had heard of someone who has been on an antidepressant for two years adding a mood stabilizer? I have been having mood swings which are more mild than bipolar disorder I (I have a relative with BPI, so I've seen those), and I never am manic, or even really hypomanic. But my mood does tend to change suddenly and quickly and several times a week - sometimes in a matter of hours. A mental health professional suggested to me adding a mood stabilizer. Has anyone heard of that working/not working?sunnydays
Posted by Phillipa on March 5, 2007, at 19:31:55
In reply to mood stabilizer added to antidepressant???, posted by sunnydays on March 5, 2007, at 19:17:34
I've been prescribed low dose trileptal can't say if it worked or not didn't go up on dose. Oh I did try lamical to 50mg and it made me angry. Love Phillipa
Posted by Honore on March 5, 2007, at 21:14:46
In reply to Re: mood stabilizer added to antidepressant??? » sunnydays, posted by Phillipa on March 5, 2007, at 19:31:55
I'm using a low dose of abilify after using an AD. I find it helps, especially with mood and energy. It seems to smooth the Emsam out for me, but it does seem to make my sleep problems a little worse.
On the other hand, I'm functioning better on less sleep, because I have so much more energy, so it's actually less of a problem.
If I'm any indication, I'd recommend thinking seriously about it.
Honore
Posted by sunnydays on March 5, 2007, at 21:25:09
In reply to Re: mood stabilizer added to antidepressant???, posted by Honore on March 5, 2007, at 21:14:46
But are you using it with an antidepressant, or after stopping it?
sunnydays
Posted by chiron on March 5, 2007, at 22:06:50
In reply to mood stabilizer added to antidepressant???, posted by sunnydays on March 5, 2007, at 19:17:34
I had been on Zoloft for years and tried to add different mood stabilizers. It is a common practice, especially because antidepressants are known to induce cycling. My cycling is also mild and often changes within the same day. (sorry, I don't have any success stories, but many others do)
Posted by med_empowered on March 6, 2007, at 1:43:44
In reply to Re: mood stabilizer added to antidepressant???, posted by chiron on March 5, 2007, at 22:06:50
it could work. lithium, an anticonvulsant, or an atypical might help you out. Some people with "depression" do well taking meds for other conditions (antipsychotics, valium-type drugs, mood stabilizers, stimulants) rather than "antidepressant" drugs.
Posted by TheMeanReds on March 6, 2007, at 11:13:52
In reply to mood stabilizer added to antidepressant???, posted by sunnydays on March 5, 2007, at 19:17:34
Klonopin worked for me. Also, my doc put me on seroquel for mood stabalizer. Both helped alot.
Posted by Declan on March 7, 2007, at 2:54:49
In reply to mood stabilizer added to antidepressant???, posted by sunnydays on March 5, 2007, at 19:17:34
>But my mood does tend to change suddenly and quickly and several times a week - sometimes in a matter of hours.<
I'm not *quite* sure what you're referring to, but I would say my mood changes suddenly and quickly a couple of times a day.
Is that not normal?
Or perhaps the question should be 'Can I handle it?'What are mood stabilisers like?
Sorry to interupt like this.
Posted by sunnydays on March 7, 2007, at 7:33:20
In reply to Questions, posted by Declan on March 7, 2007, at 2:54:49
It's just that I can go from happy, or perhaps normal, to almost suicidal, and back again, in one day. The intensity of the feelings for me is what isn't normal. I have no idea what mood stabilizers are like, that's why the idea of taking one worries me.
sunnydays
Posted by Honore on March 7, 2007, at 22:48:10
In reply to Re: mood stabilizer added to antidepressant??? » Honore, posted by sunnydays on March 5, 2007, at 21:25:09
I'm using it with an anti-depressant (Emsam is an anti-depressant).
When you say you aren't sure what mood stabilizers "are like," I'm not sure what it is you're not sure of.
They seem in my case to improve my mood, and make me less prone to extreme or obsessive thoughts, or anxieties that I tend to have.
But when you say "like"-- the subjective experience seems to differ for different people with different meds. Is there some specific concern that you have?
Honore
Posted by Declan on March 8, 2007, at 0:38:11
In reply to Re: Questions, posted by sunnydays on March 7, 2007, at 7:33:20
Do they make you feel awful? Kinda like that.
This is the end of the thread.
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