Posted by Peter on November 30, 2001, at 1:49:11
In reply to Re: ex drug-addicts and psychopharmocology » Peter, posted by Mitch on November 29, 2001, at 23:41:47
Thanks Mitch. I have tried different stabilizers in the past. I tried Neurontin, but it was before I started klonopin and I was on moclobemide and drinking alot. As a result, I experienced intense panic attacks, depersonalization, and wierd adverse reactions, like a burning sensation on the skin of my back. So, while I concentrated on cutting out the drinking, my pdoc decided to have me 'clean my medication slate' and begin again with depakote (since I had been familiar with it) and added klonopin. So I don't know how Neurontin would affect me along with my current combo of klonopin and adderall xr. I also started lamictal at one point, but my anxiety kicked in and I got so panicked about the possibility of getting that fatal rash that I stopped before it could be of any benefit. Depakote hasn't caused any problems. It has been my 'foundation medication' for 4 years. The only problems I experienced on depakote were episodes of depression, since I'm aware that depakote tends to target the manic side of bipolar more than the depressive side. So, that's one of the reasons why my pdoc decided to keep me on depakote and klonopin (SP/panic) and add adderall xr, the newest drug I'm on.
Moreover, regardless of all this info I've given you, the main thrust of my original post has more to do with my concerns about being on so many meds since I stopped illegal drugs; I don't even know for sure that I have an underlying neurological disorder since, as I stated before, I haven't spent any time as an adult without medication or illicit drugs.
>As far as dependencies go-a mood stabilizer (that works for you) makes a more reliable long-term *wet-suit* (with respect to the irrational world around us) over time than does heroin....
I certainly agree it's a better dependency, but for me it's not really a question of 'changing wet suits'; it's more a question of finding out if I need one and how to do that. Remember, the whole reason I attempted to taper the depakote was not to transfer to another drug, but to test and see how I would be without medication; isn't it possible that the agitation when I tapered the dep. was my body's natural reaction to coming off of the medication PLUS a psychological reaction to the terrible world events at the time? I don't see how my becoming agitated at the time is any proof that I am in fact bipolar. I realize that I could be in denial about my diagnosis; but the fact is, if I just had more evidence of BP in my history , even observations from friends and family, of which I have none, I'd feel more comfortable with taking alot of meds. My pdoc says my evidence of BP is apparent in the fact that I was a drug addict(impulsive, manic, etc.). But man, not all drug addicts are bipolar just as not all bipolars are drug addicts! I just desire more conclusive evidence of my diagnosis and, if I get it, I'd be able to be more comfortable and less doubtful taking whatever medications my doc sees fit.
Peter
poster:Peter
thread:85484
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011123/msgs/85597.html