Posted by g_g_g_unit on September 19, 2011, at 8:49:08
In reply to Re: not sure what to do .., posted by Christ_empowered on September 18, 2011, at 10:44:17
heh, well, my therapist chided me for being too hung up on diagnoses (i've become obsessed with whether or not i have BP), but the fact of the matter is .. i'm just a little perplexed about some of the reactions i have to certain drugs, including my lack of an efficacious response to stimulants (despite overtly exhibiting all the inattentive ADD symptoms since childhood).
part of what drives my uncertainty is not knowing whether everyone (with clinical anxiety/ depression that is) is potentially prone to drug-induced states of agitation; because other than that, there aren't really any BP-like episodes in my history. i've had racing thoughts, agitation etc. but they've mostly been substance-induced.
the reason it affects my course of treatment is because i find depakote, like you say, "noxious" and am only on it for "anxiety". since i've been either crippled with apathy or intently suicidal for weeks on end, it's clear my treatment isn't working. i'd like to try Nardil again, which is the only thing that really lifted my a** out of depression, but i donno if it really was just hypomania the whole time. there's also clomipramine, since my OCD is so overwhelming, but it caused a tonne of agitation last time. i suppose i'm just after a diagnosis to explain why.
i tried neurontin, but found it too strong. left me plastered to the couch. is lamictal more 'mood-brightening'?
i have nothing against BZDs. my pdoc tried me on xanax IR, but the prescribed dose had no noticeable effect (0.5mg 3x day) and he didn't offer to increase it.
so i can stay on Lexapro - which reduces the physical symptoms of my depression, such as fatigue, but does little for mood or OCD, and makes me more apathetic - and try something like nortriptyline or reboxetine as well (plus maybe a benzo instead of depakote)?
or switch to like Nardil or Effexor ..
or Lamictal with..?
> I don't know that being diagnosed with a BP spectrum disorder would change your treatment. All I can think of is switching out the Depakote for something less noxious and more tolerable, like Lyrica or maybe Neurontin. I personally didn't find these terribly "mood-stabilizing," but then again...I have to take antipsychotics. If the primary problem is depression complicated by anxiety and dips in mood and occasional drug-induced episodes, and you want to (or have to) avoid BZD drugs, then I would think a more tolerable anticonvulsant might be in order. Have you tried Lamictal?
poster:g_g_g_unit
thread:997080
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110914/msgs/997173.html