Posted by MM on February 11, 2005, at 12:27:52
In reply to Re: Depakote - substance induced mania, posted by lizardk on February 11, 2005, at 11:24:58
I posted on another thread about this same thing happening to me when I was on SSRI's....extreme agitation, restlessness. I had suicidal ideation too (something I didn't have, at least not in that way, or not that much...it became almost a constant ...compulsion?). I am now diagnosed Bipolar II and I take a mood stabilizer and have been on an antipsychotic before. Wellbutrin is the AD they recommend as the first AD to try in Bipolar as it is less likely to cause mania. It hasn't caused agitation with me, but that could be because of the mood stabilizer, because I've taken SSRI's with the mood stabilizer and all they do is make me feel "tripped out"..like I'm on acid. Anyway...I don't know how bad you feel, so it's your decision (obviously), but you might want to think about other options before you start down this route. I regret ever taking an AD because I feel like it changed my brain chemistry and I am scared to get off the other meds because of that. They have helped in their ways, helped with what the AD caused, but they have also caused some sucky side effects (weight gain is my least favorite, I think). An antipsychotic will knock you right out, so if that's what you want, go for that one, but research it carefully. A mood stabilizer will make you feel kind of flat and apathetic (in most cases I think) but I am told it helps with anxiety...(my brain is kind of mush and sometimes it's hard to tell what does what). What has helped with anxiety for me is Klonopin/Clonazepam, and possibly the Wellbutrin by helping with depression. I'm not totally negative to meds, and I'm not telling you not to take them, but I hope that you will try to explore some other options (like cognitive behavioral therapy, fish oil, light therapy...the alternative board has other suggestions too). Have you ever had mania or hypomania or just the agitation? Anything like that happen off meds? Agitation, irritability, anxiety/panic, restlessness while sometimes indicative of Bipolar (I guess) are also side effects of the SSRI's for some people. The Bipolar road isn't a straight one, so I'm just trying to be a voice of caution. What are the symptoms you have right now that you are having trouble with? (Depression? Anxiety?)
Sorry this is so long.
MM
poster:MM
thread:455879
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050207/msgs/456286.html