Posted by maxime on June 9, 2003, at 21:27:27
In reply to Re: Which meds for mania and depression ?, posted by AWorriedMom on June 9, 2003, at 20:22:17
You are welcome. Well, she could be having low benefits because her levels are too low. Get yourself acquainted with what the therapeutic levels should be in case her doctor says they are fine. I just popped in the terms "lithium levels" in a search engine and there was a lot of information.
You know it has always puzzled me re. meds and metabolization. I would love some information as well! I am a petite female - just under 5 feet tall and barely 100 lbs. Yet with EVERY med I have taken I have been on the high end - usually higher than what is "recommended". I wish I could find an explanation for this. Obviously a person's size has nothing to do with it.
I hope that once your daughter's levels are up that she will obtain some relief from her highs and lows. Also, she would have to be at the right levels for several weeks before seeing an improvement (of course there are always exceptions).
I also hope your daughter is receiving therapy. I say this because I am now 34 years old. I was a depressed child and then became bipolar in my early teens. My parents did not believe that a "child" could be depressed and so they ignored the pediatrician. If I had received med therapy and psycho therapy at a younger age I believe I would be doing much better than I am now.
Please keep us posted. :-)
Max
> Thanks for your response.
>
> A puzzlement with her blood levels is that she takes the meds. I give them to her myself with usually 8 oz of water. She takes other medications as well and doesn't seem to mind taking anything.
>
> Could she have an abnormal metabolism of medication? The other terrible thing is that she has physical side effects from these medications with low benefits.
>
> > Hello - First off, your daughter is very lucky to have a mom who cares so much about her mental health.
> >
> > I don't think your daughter is taking her meds. Her blood levels are low considering the high amount of meds she is suppose to be taking.
> > First off, the lithium level is on the low side. I think .8 is what is usually aimed for but if someone wants to correct me on this I am ready to listen. Also, I thought the therapeutic level for Depakote was suppose to be between 70 to 150.
> >
> > And if your daughter is taking her meds, the levels are still low so maybe she needs a higher dosage of both.
> >
> > One thing you can do before the appointment is gain knowledge on the meds that are out there as a mood stabiliser (if you haven't already).
> >
> > I suffer the same sort of mania as your daughter. Tegretol is suppose to be good for the "rage". I had side effects from the med and had to stop taking it, but I know that so many people have success with it. Also, Trileptal, which is related to Tegretol is suppose to be good for the irritability and rage. But my guess is that the doctor will want to start your daughter on Lamictal because it's mood stabiliser AND has anti-depressant properties.
> >
> > Another thing you need to take into account is the Lexapro or any other anti-depressant she might be prescribed. SSRIs often make people with bipolar disorder slip into manic mode.
> >
> > I hope I have helped somewhat. I am sure others will have suggestions as well.
> >
> > Good luck.
> >
> > Maxime
> >
> >
> >
>
poster:maxime
thread:232648
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030609/msgs/232772.html