Posted by James_glasgow on April 22, 2007, at 8:33:42
In reply to Re: mood stabilisers for atypical symptoms » linkadge, posted by Ines on April 21, 2007, at 17:01:32
Hi Ines,
I am also in the UK and have been tried on a few mood stabilisers.
They generally start with lithium first. I personal found it extremely effective for my mood problem, but I was also taking paroxetine and I developed movement problems so stopped taking it. In my experience I would not say it so much slowed me down as just made me "normal", which I know is not the right word. It was rather like the glue that held my mind together was back and it only took 4 days, not the 2-4 weeks you need to wait for an anti-depressant to work. It also made my beard hair fall out in patches which I suppose I could put up with but still did not like that. I have just come down from a 3 week mania, after treatment with clonazepam at 4mg's per day and I am considering lithium again on its own.
Next was lamotrigine, unfortunately that for me (although I know many people find it works brilliantly) was not so good. After getting up to 100mg I found myself alternating between laughing and crying over the space of an hour or so, and became much more anxious and obsessive than usual.
After, that I tried valproate but I think before I even took it I had told myself I was not going to like it. It upset my stomach and after 3 days went in the bin. I know that is no where near an adequate trial.
I think you really need to just try them and see how you get on, what one person experiences another might not.
Best of luck.
James
poster:James_glasgow
thread:751595
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070419/msgs/752338.html