Posted by Patient on February 17, 2003, at 12:28:00
In reply to Re: BPD patient on Lexapro carbamazepine » Patient, posted by judy1 on February 16, 2003, at 11:49:52
Hi Judy,
I'm sorry, but I do know what SI is. Oh wait, I just got it, it is self-injury. No, I'm not in therapy for that. We are on a strict budget and my psychiatrist is the least expensive in town. He used to be a general practitioner years ago and isn't that great with therapy. We do enjoy talking, though, and this is in some ways how he gets me to feel like opening up to him.
Instead, I go to my library and read books on depression, anxiety, OCD, etc. One very good book I am reading is "Feeling Good" by David Burns, M.D. It contains common sense cognitive therapy helps. I find it very helpful. Anger outbursts is one of those things that is difficult for me to control. Once it hits me, it's too late. I'm instead working on what causes me to lose my temper so easily; I have a very low frustration threshhold, as does most of my family. I also self-hate, which only makes it easier to hit myself. Once I used the fireplace poker on my head and did a bit of wounding.
Yes, the med. combo is very good I think, from reading about it in Dr. Bob's Tips section for BPD rage outbursts.
About 4 years ago I got up the nerve to tell my gyn. doc about my temper problems that worsen before my period starts. He gave me a prescription for Zoloft 50mg. I didn't stick with the medicine, for I have always been one that is suspicious of mood-altering drugs and after a month I stopped taking it. This was the first time I have every sought help for my emotional problems, in my 30's. Anyway, we relocated, and two years later I went to a new gyn, and she said what I was experiencing was Pre-Menstrual Syndrome, so she put me on Zoloft. I only took 25 mg. which worked very well. A few months later Wellbutrin was added to it to help with libido problems from the Zoloft, for me and my husband found the sexual dysfunction a big problem. It didn't help. Then I finally went to see a psychiatrist-boy was I nervous! The Zoloft dose was increased to 50 mg and I got shaky hands and became agitated, so I was switched to Prozac 20 mg. That worked great at the beginning (as did the Zoloft), but then after 3 or so months I began to experience agitation, irritability, and negative thoughts came back. So then I went to another psychiatrist in town (boy, was he expensive!) and he switched me to Wellbutrin ER. I could only handle it for about a month and a half. I was relaxed and felt euphoric, but at the same time I was irritable, but in a relaxed way-if that makes any sense. Then I went back to my original psychiatrist and he switched me to Celexa 20 mg. That worked well at the beginning, though didn't work well during the week or so prior to my period. I actually liked the sleepy feeling it caused after an hour or so upon taking it, for I have always been a bit on the hyper, unrelaxed side. He added 10 mg BuSpar to help boost Celexa. I didn't notice any difference. Celexa, too, wasn't working after a few months, as well as it did at the beginning, but it was the least agitation producing SSRI I have tried.
As for the Lexapro; so far it is working very well, but it has only been a week now. But I notice that I feel euphoric after the lethargy wears off. I am only taking 5 mg., but for me, I'd rather start out low and increase if needed. I do know that most of the SSRI's can cause a blood level increase in carbamazepine, so I'm going to assume that Lexapro can cause the same, so I'd rather take a smaller dose for that reason. I started this combination on the day I started my period, and instead of my usual 6 or 7 day length period, it was only 4 to 5 days. I'm as regular as clockwork in length and time of starting, so I'll assume this is because of the meds.
I can be long winded, so I hope I didn't "talk" your ears off. I just wanted to add more background information. I've had problems with depression, anxiety, bulimia, and SI since I was in my mid-teens.
Thanks for asking!
I can check your previous posts, but I was wondering if you have tried carbamazepine? I know each of us reacts differently to meds. as we all have a unique brain. This is my first time to try a mood stabilizer.
Regards,
Patient
poster:Patient
thread:200742
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030214/msgs/201140.html