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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 16, 2004, at 16:01:23
"Mr.Scott" started a thread in Dec. 2002 posing a question that is WAY on my mind these days, so I'd like to start the discussion anew.
Have any of you PRIMARILY DEPRESSED bipolar types be it bipolar II, cyclothymia, or those who react with bipolar symptoms only to ADs ever been able to completely give up the antidepressants and just get well on the anticonvulsants or lithium?
Posted by Mags on February 16, 2004, at 18:27:25
In reply to Calling all bipolars - BP2 - again, posted by Minnie-Haha on February 16, 2004, at 16:01:23
Just saw my Psyc doc today..I am STILL working on getting well. I cannot take SSRI's as they make me cycle.
The latest cocktail I am trying and that seems to be a good one for BPII's to try, according to my doc, is Lamictal and Topamax. Topamax is very goood for the cycling and is a stronger mood stabilizer and Lamictal is very good for depression....will let you know how it goes....I was on Lam on its own two years ago and had 8 weeks of bliss and then crashed....Have been on Topamax for four months and am up to 125 mgs but it is not doing enough for the depression so we have just added the Lam. I have to go real slow titrating as I get every S/E in the book....time will tell....
Mags
Posted by lauram on February 16, 2004, at 20:43:27
In reply to Re: Calling all bipolars - BP2 - again, posted by Mags on February 16, 2004, at 18:27:25
I appreciated your input. I am BP2 and have been on Depakote for nine months. Due to the side effects and a tremendous weight gain my Pdoc has switched me to Lamictal at a very slow pace. He will then decrease my Depakote. I thought I would be able to just be on the Lamictal as I do not want to be on more than one med. He has explained to me that he may need to add another mood stablizer if needed. I see here that BP2's often need more than one med.
I am a bit more accepting of this now due to input that I am reading on these boards. I sure appreciate all of the experience people are sharing!
Posted by Mags on February 16, 2004, at 21:56:01
In reply to Re: Calling all bipolars - BP2 - again » Mags, posted by lauram on February 16, 2004, at 20:43:27
lauram, weight gain was a big prob for me with Depaakote too...I gained 60 lbs!but of course Depakote has worked wonders for some people, it didn't really do much for me....That is why I am on Topamax instead....same went for Lithium...major weight gain...plus I went toxic and it turned me hypothyroid!
You will not find many BP's on just one med.....good luck!
Posted by cybercafe on February 16, 2004, at 23:23:36
In reply to Calling all bipolars - BP2 - again, posted by Minnie-Haha on February 16, 2004, at 16:01:23
> "Mr.Scott" started a thread in Dec. 2002 posing a question that is WAY on my mind these days, so I'd like to start the discussion anew.
>
> Have any of you PRIMARILY DEPRESSED bipolar types be it bipolar II, cyclothymia, or those who react with bipolar symptoms only to ADs ever been able to completely give up the antidepressants and just get well on the anticonvulsants or lithium?
>i think my doc calls primarily depressed bipolar II "sipples" but i'm not sure
anyways.... no i have never been able to go without an antidepressant.... i am happy on low dose parnate (no side effects)
This is the end of the thread.
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