Posted by SLS on July 11, 2000, at 16:48:46
In reply to Cogentin and TD, posted by CynthiaM. on July 11, 2000, at 11:11:16
Dear Cynthia,
> It has been a while since I have posted. I have BPI and rapid-cycle very frequently.
I guess I have more questions than answers. I am thinking about trying Gabitril for bipolar depression.
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For me:
Does Gabitril work? How has it helped you?
Are there any side effects?
Was Gabitril prescribed specifically to address the rapid-cyclicity?
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For you:
Why do you think that you have tardive dyskinesia (TD)? Has this been diagnosed by your doctor? What drugs are responsible for it?
Tardive dyskinesia usually begins as involuntary movements of muscles around the head, neck, face, and mouth. You haven't described any of this. Tremors and shakiness are not necessarily TD, but can still be the results of taking antipsychotics (neuroleptics) and sometimes Carbatrol. Like TD, these symptoms can improve as the result of taking Cogentin. I'm glad it's helping. Excessive thyroid hormone can sometimes produce hand tremors.
I am not a doctor, but I just wanted to make an observation and ask a few more questions. As you describe it, the drugs you are taking are not currently treating your mania adequately. Besides Carbatrol and Gabitril, what other mood stabilizers and combinations have you tried? Carbatrol is a good choice to treat rapid-cyclicity, but may not do the job without lithium. Neurontin and Lamictal have also been used to help control rapid cyclicity, usually in combination with lithium, Depakote or Carbatrol. Topomax may also be helpful. Someone here on Psycho-Babble who is a rapid-cycler has had success with it. It sometimes takes 6-12 months for a particular combination of mood stabilizers to control rapid-cyclicity.
Have you tried Zyprexa? Zyprexa is a relative of Seroquel that is known to be very effective to treat mania. It is probably more effective than Seroquel in most people. Zyprexa is currently the only antipsychotic to be approved for mania in the U.S. It is also one of the antipsychotics least apt to cause TD.
Is there any possibility that Remeron is making your mania worse? Is it needed as an antidepressant, or is it being used to induce sleep?
Has your mania or rapid-cycling become better or worse following the addition of:
1. Remeron
2. Estrace
3. Levoxyl
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:40059
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000708/msgs/40095.html