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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by holymama on May 13, 2004, at 10:07:54
I am currently on 5 (but trying to taper off 2)with ativan for emergencies. I would love to be down to one or two for my bipolar.
Posted by chemist on May 13, 2004, at 23:54:16
In reply to How many meds are you on and what's your limit?, posted by holymama on May 13, 2004, at 10:07:54
> I am currently on 5 (but trying to taper off 2)with ativan for emergencies. I would love to be down to one or two for my bipolar.
hello, chemist here...what re you taking in addition to ativan? all the best, chemist
Posted by holymama on May 14, 2004, at 5:38:46
In reply to Re: How many meds are you on and what's your limit? » holymama, posted by chemist on May 13, 2004, at 23:54:16
Hi Chemist; wow, I'm finally talking to the famous Chemist!
I take 50mg synthroid
20 mg lexapro (would like to get rid of, but everytime I lower it I get depressed. It makes me rapid cycle)
600 mg Trileptal (which I am lowering by 150 mg each week)
100 mg Wellbutrin (increasing every week)
12.5 mg Lamictal (increasing every week)I was on lexapro and trileptal (and my synthroid) but I was rapid cycling and having horrible breakthrough depressions, so my new pdoc is trying to transfer me to lamictal and wellbutrin, but the lexxapro is hard to get off. I don't trust my new pdoc either; she's medicine happy and I'm looking for a new one.
What do you think about that, Chemist? Do you think she knows what she's doing?
Posted by chemist on May 14, 2004, at 23:50:42
In reply to Re: How many meds are you on and what's your limit?, posted by holymama on May 14, 2004, at 5:38:46
> Hi Chemist; wow, I'm finally talking to the famous Chemist!
>*** infamous, really....****
> I take 50mg synthroid
> 20 mg lexapro (would like to get rid of, but everytime I lower it I get depressed. It makes me rapid cycle)
> 600 mg Trileptal (which I am lowering by 150 mg each week)
> 100 mg Wellbutrin (increasing every week)
> 12.5 mg Lamictal (increasing every week)
>
> I was on lexapro and trileptal (and my synthroid) but I was rapid cycling and having horrible breakthrough depressions, so my new pdoc is trying to transfer me to lamictal and wellbutrin, but the lexxapro is hard to get off. I don't trust my new pdoc either; she's medicine happy and I'm looking for a new one.
>
> What do you think about that, Chemist? Do you think she knows what she's doing?
>
>
my *opinion* is that she kind of knows what she is doing. i question the wellbutrin, in particular. can you tell us more about your condition? it seems to me that lamictal+lexapro (in low dose) + ativan prn panic should be okay, although as monotherapy for bipolar, lamictal is far from consensus, and i do include the FDA. my instinct is to titrate to 200 mg qd lamictal with lexapro in the background and ativan as prn for panic....let us know....all the best, chemist (not famous!)
Posted by HappyGirl on May 16, 2004, at 0:19:29
In reply to Re: How many meds are you on and what's your limit?, posted by holymama on May 14, 2004, at 5:38:46
Hi:
I hate to say this to you, ... however being as 'Rapid Cycler' myself, it takes quite a while to find a right med. combo. For me, it took almost two and a half years to get one. Even on right med. combo. it still had quite often 'bad days.'
Then, in my suggestion, try to stick with the current pdoc. until you are VERY certain that she is not a right pdoc. for you.
Also, regarding med. combo. as being a rapid cycler, it's very common to have four or five different meds. for alleviation/relief, because like I said in my previous post, Bp II with rapid cycler is one of most 'difficult' M.I., for that reason some of pdocs. does not take those who have 'rapid cycler' due to the requirement of nnumerous med. search/research to rx. appropriate meds.
H.G.
Posted by holymama on May 16, 2004, at 8:10:57
In reply to Re: How many meds are you on and what's your limit? » holymama, posted by chemist on May 14, 2004, at 23:50:42
Hi Chemist,
When I went in to my new pdoc I was on lexapro and trileptal, with rapid cycling and a horrible breakthrough depression. Also lethargy completely unlike my old self. I understand she is transfering me to lamictal because it works better for rapid cycling/andbipolar depression, but the wellbutrin...I'm not sure why, except maybe that it's not an SSRI and might not cause the cycling. I'm sure looking forward to some extra energy from it. THe problem with this pdoc is that she is a woman of very few words so I don't know what she is thinking, and that is the same complaint my therapist has of her -- that NOONE knows what she is thinking. :)
Posted by holymama on May 16, 2004, at 8:12:52
In reply to Re: How many meds are you on and what's your limit?, posted by HappyGirl on May 16, 2004, at 0:19:29
Thanks Happy girl, it's good to hear what has happened to other rapid cyclers, since I want to know what to expect. I can beleive it when you say it took 2 1/2 years to find the right meds; it's already been a year for me and I'm not nearly there yet.
Posted by HappyGirl on May 16, 2004, at 9:38:44
In reply to Re: How many meds are you on and what's your limit? » chemist, posted by holymama on May 16, 2004, at 8:10:57
Hi:
For rapic cycler, Zyprexa is one of the 'best' med., however I recall from your previous post, you concern over the weight issue associated with Zyprexa. Thus, I feel very much that your pdoc. rxed 'Trileptal' which is also well-known for 'rapid cycler.'
Lamical is both M.S. and anti-dep. effect., especially good quality of anti-dep. for the depressive side of Bp, but no effect on 'rapid cycler.'
Also, I noticed that you've been on two different anti-deps., Lexapro and W.B. The former is one of most potent SSRIs, and the latter is not SSRI, but some stimulant effect to bring you 'energy' and 'concentration,' and etc. I've been on W.B. also. However, in order to take, ... other words, to get a good effectiveness from W.B., you may need some 'Anxiety' med., because W.B. is well-known for causing 'Anxiety' and 'Insomnia' on some of posters. Then, if you're 'stay-Mom,' no need of going out to work, then I agree that W.B. is at least until some stabilization, NO NEED. Ativan is for 'good night' sleep, I believe.
In a sense, I somehow feel that your pdoc. has some trouble of finding a right med. combo., because of your reluctancy to submit 'weight' issue, to tell the trughfully. In my case, I didn't mind any sorts of med. as long as they make me 'happy,' which is most important thing for me since I was dxed with Bp.
However, everyone has different lives and thoughts regarding med. treatment, then this is just my opinion based on my personal experience.
H.G.
Posted by chemist on May 16, 2004, at 11:07:14
In reply to Re: How many meds are you on and what's your limit? » chemist, posted by holymama on May 16, 2004, at 8:10:57
> Hi Chemist,
> When I went in to my new pdoc I was on lexapro and trileptal, with rapid cycling and a horrible breakthrough depression. Also lethargy completely unlike my old self. I understand she is transfering me to lamictal because it works better for rapid cycling/andbipolar depression, but the wellbutrin...I'm not sure why, except maybe that it's not an SSRI and might not cause the cycling. I'm sure looking forward to some extra energy from it. THe problem with this pdoc is that she is a woman of very few words so I don't know what she is thinking, and that is the same complaint my therapist has of her -- that NOONE knows what she is thinking. :)hi there, i read happy girl's response and have to agree...you doctor is quite simply switching you over from the lexapro/trileptal to the lamictal/wellbutrin and naturally there will be some overlap when you are taking a handful of pills. the most prudent thing to do is wait it out and see if the new cocktail is right for you, and we never do really know what our doctors are thinking, do we? in any event, keep us posted, perhaps the new combo will be right for you....all the best, chemist
Posted by RobertPalsing on May 17, 2004, at 5:35:34
In reply to Re: How many meds are you on and what's your limit?, posted by holymama on May 14, 2004, at 5:38:46
If you are not feeling well, it may be hard to judge which med the culprit is. Be careful with too many as you can lose yourself, and it can be very difficult to modify your cocktail as it becomes complicated. Best of luck!
-"Bob"
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