Posted by JohnX2 on March 7, 2002, at 4:15:33
In reply to Re: Tenex, Clonidine, Norepinephrine, posted by JackD on March 7, 2002, at 3:16:21
I would be really honest with your doctor about
the pot question, they don't care. I don't know
the drug interactions. I'm not a doctor. Take my
advice with a grain of salt.I like Lamictal because it has the fewest side
effects in my opinion. Its less harmful on the liver too,
which is good if you are drinking. Depakote and Lithium
are more harsh on the organs.One caveat about Lamictal is that it is tricky to
dose into. You need a good doctor to do this. You may
want to dig through old posts for strategies (I dont
remember its been so long, i love the med). The main startup
side effect is skin irritation and maybe a little rash and
maybe a little dizziness that subsides.
Just go slowly and if you get itchy slow down. The thereaputic
dose is 150-300 mg. If you are good, you'll get a nice
anti-depressant kick and not need any other anti-depressant.
Otherwise you can work with your doctor on adding Wellbutrin,
Effexor, whatever. I would stay away from an anti-depressant
until you get to a good mood stabilizer dose, because the
AD will just destabilize you.Usually if you really are bipolar its next to impossible to
"lock onto" a anti-depressant response without a
membrane stabilizer in place. It just doesn't work.
I've been there.Depakote is quicker to get onto. It has less of an anti-depressant
profile and may be a bit more coginitive dulling.Lithium is best if you have sever mania problems.
Good LUCK! Have fun in college (but not too much, do some studying
ya know).-John
> Thanks John. I am a bit unclear as to what you mean saying it's hard to differentiate between anxiety and ADD symptoms. I have classic non hyperactive ADD, which ritalin works great to fix; I am spacey, easily distractible, and hyperfocused. I know what you mean by mixed states, but usually my hypomanias from NE active antidepressants is quite euphoric (no psychotic reactions whatsoever by the way). What mood stabilizer would you recommend? Which is best for a college student who plans to still drink and maybe smoke pot occasionally?
poster:JohnX2
thread:96815
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/96849.html