Posted by KathyA on October 23, 2002, at 12:01:49
I was diagnosed with Cyclothymia 15 years ago and have been thru many meds to control it to some success and with some side effects. Lithium worked initially but eventually "flat-lined" me (when you are used to the roller coaster it's hard to give it up completely). Tricyclics did not really work. Some SSRI's made me "numb" and apathetic (Zoloft,etc.), some made me jumpy, irritable and oversensitive (Effexor), some did not work (Serzone). I've been on Tegretol off and on for 13 years and it works fairly well, but I seem to still feel a little depressed all the time (even with an add-on anti-depressant) tho the mood swings are evened out. I've also gained weight on almost everything I've taken. My doctor just switched me from Effexor to Paxil but I don't think I can tolerate another med that makes me gain weight. He also wants to switch my tegetol to Neurontin. I'll be honest, one of the reasons I'm interested in Topamax is the weight loss aspect, but that can't be the only justification. Does anyone have any experience with meds for cyclothymia,particularly Topamax or Neurontin?
poster:KathyA
thread:124863
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021019/msgs/124863.html