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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 ann72 on January 12, 2004, at 8:17:03
I think I'm BP2 and I am thinking of asking my pdoc for lithium- but I dont want to be a zombie..what med would be a good combo with lithium...
Thanks..
ANN
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on January 12, 2004, at 8:45:56
In reply to I'm very confused.................., posted by ann72 on January 12, 2004, at 8:17:03
If your assumption does prove correct and you are bipolar II, there's no law that says you have to start with lithium. There are plenty of other quite effective mood-stabilizing drugs available: Depakote (valproic acid), Trileptal (oxcarbazepine), Tegretol (carbamazepine), Gabitril (tiagabine), Lamictal (lamotrigine), Keppra (levetiracetam), Zonegran (zonisamide), Neurontin (gabapentin, though its efficacy is debatable), Zyprexa (olanzapine), Risperdal (risperidone), Seroquel (quetiapine), Geodon (ziprasidone), Abilify (aripiprazole), Klonopin (clonazepam), etc. Zyprexa, Risperdal, Seroquel, Geodon, Abilify, and any other antipsychotic should be reserved in case safer drugs fail though. Also, though I really think of it as a pathetic marketing ploy, Eli Lilly just received FDA approval for a "new" drug for bipolar depression called Symbyax. It's just a combination of an antipsychotic (Zyprexa) and an antidepressant (Prozac) in one pill.
Of course I want to make it clear that should your doctor start you on lithium, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Just letting you know there are many other options available. :-)
It's no guarantee that lithium will turn you into a "zombie", but if it does, it seems the combination of lithium and Lamictal is a very common and effective one. Lithium is actually an anti-manic, not a mood-stabilizer, and Lamictal is a mood-stabilizer with antidepressant properties.
Michael
Posted by ann72 on January 12, 2004, at 8:52:53
In reply to Re: I'm very confused.................. » ann72, posted by Ame Sans Vie on January 12, 2004, at 8:45:56
Thanks for the info Michael, wow, I cant believe how many meds are out there..I have taken celexa, zoloft and effexor (always in combo w/ xanax) for the last year and I havent gotten the improvement I want. One time I felt no depression, but was having major anxiety. Then, upped the benzo and felt no anxiety, but went into major depression. I guess I just have to keep trying different things..
Thanks alot,
ANN
Posted by Elle2021 on January 12, 2004, at 10:51:40
In reply to I'm very confused.................., posted by ann72 on January 12, 2004, at 8:17:03
> I think I'm BP2 and I am thinking of asking my pdoc for lithium- but I dont want to be a zombie..what med would be a good combo with lithium...
I took Lithium and it didn't make me sleepy.
Elle
Posted by SLS on January 12, 2004, at 11:25:59
In reply to Re: I'm very confused.................., posted by ann72 on January 12, 2004, at 8:52:53
> One time I felt no depression, but was having major anxiety. Then, upped the benzo and felt no anxiety, but went into major depression.
Was the benzo Klonopin or was it the Xanax still?
- Scott
Posted by ann72 on January 12, 2004, at 14:27:12
In reply to Re: I'm very confused.................. » ann72, posted by SLS on January 12, 2004, at 11:25:59
> > .
>
> Was the benzo Klonopin or was it the Xanax still?
>
>
> - ScottScott, Ive always taken xanax. Right now, Im taking xr w/the effexor and for some reason, just started going downhill mid december.
This is the end of the thread.
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