Posted by SLS on November 18, 2009, at 18:22:13
In reply to Re: BP II meds? » SheilaC, posted by SLS on November 18, 2009, at 18:02:30
Oh. I forgot to mention that my best results came from combinations of antidepressants. I find that adding nortriptyline to either Parnate or Effexor is helpful. Others have found that adding Wellbutrin to either Effexor or Lexapro effective. Some doctors will not want to give a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) like nortriptyline to a bipolar patient for fear of producing a manic switch. I really liked Effexor + nortriptyline. Unfortunately, my doctor at that time failed to properly dose the nortriptyline. I was only taking half of what I needed. He should have ordered blood tests that assay drug level. I was underdosed. I wouldn't mind revisiting that treatment in the future if necessary.
Currently, I am taking:
Parnate 80mg
nortriptyline 150mg
Lamictal 200mg
Abilify 10mg
lithium 900mgLithium monotherapy probably won't help you. It seems to be most effective for bipolar I. However, a lower dose (300-600mg) is sometimes effective as an augmenter of antidepressants in unipolar depression. My guess is that the same is true for bipolar II.
Most people do not feel that Topamax is worth using in bipolar disorder. However, I have seen Topamax monotherapy work a miracle for a young woman who would enter bipolar II mixed-states. She was like a different person. She only needed 100mg. If you start Topamax at a low dosage and work up slowly (25mg per week), you can avoid the precipitation of cognitive side effects. I experienced no side effects whatsoever with this drug.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:926170
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091117/msgs/926175.html