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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 greywolf on January 29, 2006, at 15:14:02
I've been off these boards for a long time. I've tried the no treatment route for half a year or so, after many years of tx for BPII and OCD. I've been on just about every SSRI, NDRI, tricylic, MAOI, etc., you can think of, with no real success.
Years ago, I did the lithium thing, but I didn't do well on it. I think it was my fault insofar as I didn't stick to the regimen and did stupid things like drink while I was on a lithium cocktail. Not too bright.
Anyway, that was almost a decade ago, and I may be going on lithium and an AD again. I am wondering if anyone diagnosed with BPII or BP depression has had experience with a lithium alternative.
Also, Nardil was a pretty effective med for me, for awhile at least. Anyone ever combined lithium and Nardil or another MAOI?
Thanks.
Greywolf
Posted by bennyj on January 29, 2006, at 15:40:08
In reply to Anything better for BPII than lithium?, posted by greywolf on January 29, 2006, at 15:14:02
I'm bpII and take a small dose of lamictal (anti seizure med) along with nardil. This combo works pretty well, both the nardil and lamictal really lift my spirits during depressed periods but, for me anyway, lamictal adds quite a bit of anxiety during hypomanic periods. I have to resort to propanolol to calm it at times. But if your bpII tends to fall more on the depressed side then this med might be a good choice. Its worth a shot regardless anyway, very low occurance of side effects if u go slow. Lamictal is becoming more and more routinely used for bpII patients.
> I've been off these boards for a long time. I've tried the no treatment route for half a year or so, after many years of tx for BPII and OCD. I've been on just about every SSRI, NDRI, tricylic, MAOI, etc., you can think of, with no real success.
>
> Years ago, I did the lithium thing, but I didn't do well on it. I think it was my fault insofar as I didn't stick to the regimen and did stupid things like drink while I was on a lithium cocktail. Not too bright.
>
> Anyway, that was almost a decade ago, and I may be going on lithium and an AD again. I am wondering if anyone diagnosed with BPII or BP depression has had experience with a lithium alternative.
>
> Also, Nardil was a pretty effective med for me, for awhile at least. Anyone ever combined lithium and Nardil or another MAOI?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Greywolf
>
>
Posted by greywolf on January 29, 2006, at 16:02:33
In reply to Re: Anything better for BPII than lithium? » greywolf, posted by bennyj on January 29, 2006, at 15:40:08
Thanks, bennyj.
I probably won't go the lamictal route. I occasionally take Xanax, and I'm pretty sure the docs won't want to increase the need.
Posted by Racer on January 29, 2006, at 16:43:19
In reply to Re: Anything better for BPII than lithium?, posted by greywolf on January 29, 2006, at 16:02:33
Actually, it's not just Lamictal that's being used as a mood stabilizer -- other anti-convulsants are being used this way, as well. And Lamictal didn't cause me any anxiety at all, so that's a possible side effect, not one that all or even most people taking it will get.
Talk to your doctor, though, because there are a ton of drugs out there now that can do Lithium's job without all the issues involved with Lithium treatment. (And, now that you know a little differently, it might be worth trying Lithium again, too. Just a thought.)
Good luck, whatever you decide to do.
Posted by fires on January 29, 2006, at 21:59:43
In reply to Anything better for BPII than lithium?, posted by greywolf on January 29, 2006, at 15:14:02
This is the end of the thread.
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