Posted by azalea on September 28, 2008, at 21:17:01
In reply to meds, posted by qbsbrown on September 28, 2008, at 21:01:10
Have you tried Lamictal (lamotrigine)? It's a mood stabilizer that is generally considered 1st line treatment for bipolar maintenence.
Seroquel is also a mood stabilizer, but has a worse side effect profile than Lamictal. Seroquel blocks dopamine so that makes sense that your ADHD would be worse on it. For ADHD, you want something that increases dopamine.
Difficulty with concentration and focus can occur with SSRIs. Hypothetically, as you increase serotonin, you get a relative deficiency of dopamine. Adding the Dexedrine increases dopamine, balancing the increase in serotonin from the SSRI.
Your proposed combo lexapro+seroquel+dexedrine or ritalin might work, but it seems like you've got several meds working against each other. Ideally you want a combo of meds that work with each other. Does your doctor have experience treating patients with bipolar and ADHD?
It's tough starting from scratch, but it also is a great opportunity to find a regimen that works.
Also, have you tried Wellbutrin (bupropion)? It is an antidepressant that is good for people with bipolar disorder. It's also used off-label for ADHD as it improves focus and concentration.
I hope this post isn't too overwhelming with all the questions and suggestions.
> I'm starting from scratch w/ meds.
>
> I believe that lexapro is the only antidepressant that helps my depression (w/in 3-4 days), and actually allows me to focus and concentrate. All other ssris i can't even read a book with or understand what someone is saying to me.
>
> But lexapro will put me into a mixed mood/irratability (BP II) after about a week or so.
> Hopefully to counter this will be seroquel. This will help w/ my severe insomnia and racing thoughts that are constant. Seroquel on the other hand makes the adhd horrible. Then add a stimulant.
>
> So
>
> lexapro+seroquel+dexedrine or ritalin.
>
> All of these meds alone make one thing better, but other aspects much worse. So I'm hoping that combined might work out.
>
> Regards,
>
> Brian
poster:azalea
thread:854600
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080926/msgs/854699.html