Posted by MoparFan91 on November 30, 2005, at 13:02:47
In reply to Re: whats the best treatment for rapid cycle bipol, posted by Squiggles on November 30, 2005, at 7:29:02
Depakote has always been the first line choice for rapid cycling and mixed states.
Lamictal is now one of the best meds for rapid cycling.However, if you cycle every few hours and stuff, Topamax is the best one out there for that type of rapid cycling, also referred to as ultra-rapid or ultradian cycling.
SSRI's are good as add-ons as well. At higher doses, they seem to have a more stabilizing effect as they indirectly lower glutamate levels and reduce obsessive ruminations that aggravate mood cycling.
Stay away from anti-psychotics. They're crap.
I took them, and they worsened my cycling.
Zyprexa caused severe mixed state symptoms (ultra agitation/hostile feelings) few hours after each dose.
Geodon made me berserk and manic and also at times worsened the mixed state.
Seroquel, when I took it for sleep, made me jazzed up and wired the next day.
Abilify caused dysphoric manic symptoms, xtreme anxiety, paranoia, and distorted thinking.
Risperdal, at least in my grandmother (also bipolar cycling), made her more on the manic side.I have Bipolar-NOS ultra-rapid/ultradian cycling, social phobia, ocd.
poster:MoparFan91
thread:583598
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051126/msgs/583706.html