Posted by JohnX2 on May 8, 2002, at 1:50:34
In reply to HELP! BiPolar2 with severe depr and mild mania:, posted by Janelle on May 6, 2002, at 21:40:06
> I have been diagnosed as BiPolar2, and in my case I have SEVERE depression but only mild mania episodes.
>
> I'm trying to find a mood stabilizer that would be most effective for this particular set of symptoms. Failed miserably on Lamictal (induced intense anxiety) and Depakote (induced more and more depression).
>
> Any ideas? I'd like to find a mood stabilizer that works more on the depression side of BiPolar2 than on the mania side, since I have much more of depression than mania - would Neurontin be a good next one for me to try?
>
> Thanks to whoever can help out!Janelle,
As I mentioned before you switched to Depakote, the Neurontin
add on to Lamictal may reduce the Lamictal agitation.Also as Mitch has noted, AD's can be like "earthquakes" for
people with bipolar diagnosis. A lot of doctors like to add
the ADs in slowly with the mood stabilizer.Can I ask a question? Did the Depakote help with the
"racing, intrusive" thoughts?Neurontin is a good medicine to help with agitation and
anxiety. I believe for more people it has a bit of an
antidepressant property and less of an anti-manic property.
If your racing,intrusive thoughts are anxiety related then
Neurontin may help.Maybe the idea stated of a Depakote+Neurontin combo is not
bad to try. If the Depakote is helping with the mild hypomania,
maybe you could maintain or lower the Depakote dose and add
on the Neurontin.Another mood stabilizer option would be to try something like Trileptal.
Trileptal (derivative of Carbamazepam), I found has pretty
good AD effects and mood stabilization. The medicine is quick acting
like Depakote.Best Wishes,
John
poster:JohnX2
thread:105355
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020503/msgs/105544.html