Posted by phillybob on April 3, 2001, at 22:28:08
In reply to Help, my therapist is out of town, posted by Wendy B on April 3, 2001, at 21:55:36
> She put me on more Neurontin (I was taking one 600 mg at bedtime to help me not wake up at 4:00 am), now she's upped that to 1200 mg at bedtime. Plus now she's told me to take one 600 mg during the day to calm me down. Does this sound ok?
I have no experience with this drug so you should use the search feature here and/or elsewhere. From what I recall my pdoc saying, one can take very high doses of neurontin. Others here'll know for sure. You might just want to do a new post that says, "Neurontin dosage HELP."
> Another question about meds: should I really be taking an antidepressant? I thought it induced hypomanic states in certain bipolar II cases. What would it be like for me to reduce the Wellbutrin? Do any of you play with dosages, depending on whether you are up-cycling or if you're very low?
I personally never "play with dosages" ... just kidding. But, I don't think my playing has ever resulted in better efficacy. Right now, I am trying Lamictal (used as a mood stabilizer) as monotherapy (though just added a stimulant, Adderall for ADD-type effects, but don't know if that will continue yet ... was kind of feeling better before ... I'm very med-sensitive). I did have a great run (2 months) with Topamax (another drug used as a mood stabilizer) as monotherapy but needed to discontinue due to gum recession ... ouch!)
Here's a couple of links to interesting info on treating depression which might really be bi-polar.
(1) 1) Edward S. Hume's "Bipolar Disorder, the hidden epidemic": http://www.pshrink.com/wisdom/bipolar_disorder.html [this is most interesting reading which states: "Many patients who have depression have unrecognized bipolar disorder. Many people with bipolar disorder respond only partially or not at to antidepressants." Then goes on to offer anecdotal words on the various mood stabilizers."]
(2) This is an old thread here on "line of fire" approaches to treatment which I like: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000209/msgs/20873.html
> But what does the dx mean about all my past actions, relationships, burnt bridges, friendships gone sour, etc? Does it mean that I have to see everything through the 'lens' of the diagnosis? I am feeling so incredibly guilty about my behavior in the past. Have any of you felt this way when you really figured out what the symptoms mean and have gotten what you believe to be the 'true' diagnosis? Or felt like it explains everything? Or only up to a certain point? But where is that line?Well, Wendy, I'm sorry because I understand. I'm havin' a lot of these "guilt" feelings right now as I try to get my meds right. I read something interesting on About.com's ADD site about the stages people go through with their diagnosis and guilt was a big one. I actually don't think I felt so bad, though, until I read that and looked back at my past (and present) in that light. That's what, I guess, support groups are for. I might need one.
I know it's easy to say "don't fret about the past cause the future is long" but seriously, I know for myself that a new world is there for me to enter ... it was there with the Topamax but the toughest part now is gettin' up to therapeutic doses of the Lamictal to see if that'll have a similar effect.
Good Luck, Wendalabee!
poster:phillybob
thread:58593
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010403/msgs/58598.html