Posted by Ponder on February 24, 2002, at 15:43:31
In reply to Re: what to do next? add on AD or more stabilizers? » petters, posted by JohnX2 on February 5, 2002, at 20:27:39
This thread has been helpful regarding symptoms of hypomania. I've been bipolar all my adult life, was misdiagnosed with recurrent depression, in part because I did not recognize hypomanic symptoms. I thought all that agitation and "driven-ness" was anxiety, but didn't want to take anything that might make me sleepy because I was always playing catch-up at work for those depressive episodes which involved horrible fatigue and hypersomnia (thus, lack of productivity).
Anyway, regarding medications... I'm currently on Lamictal 150, Wellbutrin SR 400, Ambien 10 at night, and Ativan as needed. Lamictal has been the only drug to which I have ever responded convincingly. I've been on it for about 6 months. Lately I've been experiencing agitation, especially in response to going to places where there are many people, like the theater where I volunteer to sell tickets. I also experience indecisiveness, a tendency to compulsive behaviors-- like computer games, calculating and recalculating my budget, that sort of thing. I am wondering if Topamax might be a good add-on and have been encouraged by John's comments. Any input? Thanks.
BTW, I am no longer working. A surprisingly successful career obliterated by AD-induced mixed states that finally crashed into a two-year depression. Lamictal is the first stabilizer I've been on and has been an enormous help at 150 mg/day --less is bad, more is bad, 150 is good.
poster:Ponder
thread:92412
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020222/msgs/95328.html