Posted by colin wallace on July 23, 2002, at 14:10:22
I've just returned from a long awaited, marginally disappointing consultation with a psychiatrist.Disappointing because, although he seemed a decent enough guy, English was not his first spoken language, and in an interview where nuances can be so important(in my lowly opinion)-I feel much may have been missed, as striking a rapport in these circumstances is more difficult.
However, my diagnosis for today is double depression, and due to my adverse, erratic and angry reactions to AD's, he's going to give Depakote a shot- at 200mg to start.
He didn't agree with (though in fairness, wouldn't dismiss)my bipolar type 11 theory, but declined my request for lithium because he felt that the small dose I wanted (300/600mg) would be unlikely to be beneficial.Most of his patients are on +1000mg .
Valproate, I understand, does not exert any standalone antidepressant or prophalactic effects, as does lithium ? And seeing as I'm still depressed as hell and will only ever take another standard AD if my mouth is held open with forceps and a medieval catapult is used to force feed me, what's the point of a mood stabilizer alone?
Also, would I be wrong in thinking that lithium (in a low dose range)has a more benign side effect profile than valproate? I find the liver thing worrisome to say the least.
Still, its my call, and now I'm edging towards refusing the stuff, and obtaining my own lithium if needs be-
then I'll just present myself and say, 'monitor my blood levels for lithium please- or don't 'cos I don't really care.Col.
Incidentally, I've now stopped ALL meds, with the exception of 2mg diazepam-the angry mood
swings are lessening now too.And my mood is SO much more manageable than when I was on AD's.
poster:colin wallace
thread:113419
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020718/msgs/113419.html