![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tabitha on July 6, 2002, at 3:01:18
Hi everyone,
I'm bipolar II, taking Neurontin and Celexa. Before meds I was depressed most of the time, except hypomanic in the early summer. Being on ADs alone makes me hypomanic, and being on Neurontin alone didn't work (I was too depressed).
I've been pretty stable for 2 years on this combo, but lately I'm having bigger swings. I had a day where I was just about out of control with hypomania, and I've been suicidal for the first time in ages. I think the drugs are pooping out. The bad part is that in between the swings I feel a lot better than when I was more stable. My mind is sharper, and my creativity, sexuality, and spirituality are alive again after being totally dead when the meds were "working".
I went to the doctor and he wants to add Topamax on top of what I'm taking. I looked up the side effects and it looks to be one of the sedating and dumbing-down types. Not appealing at all. I told him my concerns about overall quality of life, and I don't think he heard me. It seemed like he thought I was saying I wanted to hang onto the highs. I don't even like the highs, my behavior embarasses me! I just don't want to be flat and stupid and dead and asexual. Who would?
Does anyone have any advice? I'm just not seeing any options right now. It seems like either live with the symptoms (not appealing) or live with the side effects (not appealing).
Posted by jay on July 6, 2002, at 3:13:15
In reply to Not happy with doctor's advice, seeing no options., posted by tabitha on July 6, 2002, at 3:01:18
Hi:
I wouldn't dis-count Topomax, as I was on it in combo with Depakote, and I don't get where these people talk about 'dumbing down' effects. To me, Neurontin seemed MUCH more in that regards, and very FEW side effects from Topomax, and it worked great with Depakote. Also, Topomax seems to REALLY help with all aspects of BP II in conjunction with an a.d. You may be quite surprised! (Combining it also with another mood stabalizer is a great idea, I think.)
I may actually be going back on the Depakote/Topomax combo because of my past good results, but it's just my current doctor didn't want to combine the two at first. (I was on the combo with another doctor.)
Don't be afraid to try it...you may find it helps bring relief quickly. Best wishes...
Jay
Posted by cybercafe on July 6, 2002, at 6:34:59
In reply to Not happy with doctor's advice, seeing no options., posted by tabitha on July 6, 2002, at 3:01:18
> I'm bipolar II, taking Neurontin and Celexa. Before meds I was depressed most of the time, except hypomanic in the early summer. Being on ADs alone makes me hypomanic, and being on Neurontin alone didn't work (I was too depressed).
Yeah I think most type IIs need an antidepressant, ... or at least a mood stabilizer with strong antidepressant effects (lithium? lamictal?)
>first time in ages. I think the drugs are pooping out. The bad part is that in between the swings I feel a lot better than when I was more
Hmmm.... if the side effects are nonexistant, as well as some of the beneficial effects, perhaps you could discuss raising the dose with your doc?
>stable. My mind is sharper, and my creativity, sexuality, and spirituality are alive again after being totally dead when the meds were "working".
yeah that's good stuff.... but if you can't get it to last, ... it's not :)
> I went to the doctor and he wants to add Topamax on top of what I'm taking. I looked up the side effects and it looks to be one of the
I really liked jay's advice... we tend to assume that we are going to get the worst side effects possible .... when a more rational person (nondepressed?) might just say ... hey take the med.... if it works, great... if it doesn't, try something else... but it may work for you with minimal side effects, so why not try it? what do you have to lose? .... it's not like once you take a med you have to take it for life, no matter how bad it is, right?...i know it's hard to think positive... but i also believe you can get a lot better if you just hang in there...
> Does anyone have any advice? I'm just not seeing any options right now. It seems like either live with the symptoms (not appealing) or live with the side effects (not appealing).
.... yeah i used to feel that way too... but between all of the meds and med combos out there, it's would be quite amazing if you couldn't find one that suits you :)
Posted by tabitha on July 7, 2002, at 2:57:36
In reply to Re: Not happy with doctor's advice, seeing no options. » tabitha, posted by jay on July 6, 2002, at 3:13:15
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.