Still getting my bipolar meds figured out: Need feedback
I do have a pdoc appointment coming up in the far future (since scheduling sucks), but I've been doing some research on my own, trying to figure out what might work for me, and at least have some pertinent questions to ask rather than just sitting there like a lump while he tries to pull solutions out of thin air.
I'm a rapid-cycling Bipolar II.
Meds currently taking and why:
Keppra (anti-seizure, I'm epileptic)
Klonopin (PTSD and anxiety)
Lamictal (bipolar)
Multivitamin
Fish Oil (for the Omega-3's)
In the past there was also the occasional Ambien CR which doesn't do much other than put me to sleep for 4 hours and stop working (I'm a chronic insomniac).
I *was* also on Cymbalta (an anti-depressant) in addition to the Lamictal, but anti-depressants are by-and-large contraindicated for bipolar treatment as tests have shown them to be only as effective as placebo in preventing depressive episodes in bipolars, and as agents that can cause rapid cycling and mixed episodes in bipolar patients, so I'm (thankfully) off that now, and can truthfully say, apart from no more mixed episodes, I haven't noticed any difference.
Been on Abilify before -- it is pure evil.
I've tried 5-HTP, now that I'm not on the SSRI's anymore but found that in the long term, it can cause problems not only with serotonin, but can deplete dopamine and norepinephrine. (see link below)
Here's the whole quote since I'll reference it again later: (from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ar…)
To make things more confusing, I've now read that not all depression is caused by faults with the serotonin or its receptors -- some catecholamine neurotransmitter levels influence depression. Well that's spiffy. (Page 4 of above link) Here's the quote:
How the hell can you tell if your catecholamine/dopamine/norepinephrine might be a problem instead-of or as-well-as the hallowed serotonin? ARGH! Any specialists on here willing to add their insights to that little gem? Seems like depression's just getting more complicated all the time. Grrr. (pouts)
... Moving on...
The problem I'm experiencing at the moment is that while the wild up and downs are well controlled with the Lamictal, I'm still getting the depressive side of things, which is no fun at all. Lots of people take something else along with their Lamictal, and have had great success, so I was wondering that if that sounds like you, what worked for kicking out the rest of the depressive symptoms? I've heard Seroquel might be the way to go, and any feedback for that or on any possible treatment would be great!
And yes, I'll talk it over with my pdoc before I do anything or make any changes; and no, I won't take it as medical advice (even if you are a medical professional), or sue you or anything heinous. It's really sad we need these disclaimers isn't it? I also promise not to cross the Grand Canyon on a tightrope.
I'm a rapid-cycling Bipolar II.
Meds currently taking and why:
Keppra (anti-seizure, I'm epileptic)
Klonopin (PTSD and anxiety)
Lamictal (bipolar)
Multivitamin
Fish Oil (for the Omega-3's)
In the past there was also the occasional Ambien CR which doesn't do much other than put me to sleep for 4 hours and stop working (I'm a chronic insomniac).
I *was* also on Cymbalta (an anti-depressant) in addition to the Lamictal, but anti-depressants are by-and-large contraindicated for bipolar treatment as tests have shown them to be only as effective as placebo in preventing depressive episodes in bipolars, and as agents that can cause rapid cycling and mixed episodes in bipolar patients, so I'm (thankfully) off that now, and can truthfully say, apart from no more mixed episodes, I haven't noticed any difference.
Been on Abilify before -- it is pure evil.
I've tried 5-HTP, now that I'm not on the SSRI's anymore but found that in the long term, it can cause problems not only with serotonin, but can deplete dopamine and norepinephrine. (see link below)
Here's the whole quote since I'll reference it again later: (from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ar…)
When catecholamine neurotransmitter levels influence depression, administration of 5-HTP alone is contraindicated since it may deplete dopamine and norepinephrine, thereby worsening the disease and its underlying cause. This contraindication is not exclusive to depression, but extends to all other disease processes for which dysfunction of a catecholamine component has been implicated, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),26 seasonal affective disorder,27 obesity,28 generalized anxiety disorder,25 and Parkinson’s disease.29 (added emphasis mine, since those are my particular problems as well)
...believe that depression is due to serotonin dysfunction, depression may also be associated with catecholamine dysfunction, including dopamine and/or norepinephrine, or a combination of serotonin and catecholamine dysfunction.
How the hell can you tell if your catecholamine/dopamine/norepinephrine might be a problem instead-of or as-well-as the hallowed serotonin? ARGH! Any specialists on here willing to add their insights to that little gem? Seems like depression's just getting more complicated all the time. Grrr. (pouts)
... Moving on...
The problem I'm experiencing at the moment is that while the wild up and downs are well controlled with the Lamictal, I'm still getting the depressive side of things, which is no fun at all. Lots of people take something else along with their Lamictal, and have had great success, so I was wondering that if that sounds like you, what worked for kicking out the rest of the depressive symptoms? I've heard Seroquel might be the way to go, and any feedback for that or on any possible treatment would be great!
And yes, I'll talk it over with my pdoc before I do anything or make any changes; and no, I won't take it as medical advice (even if you are a medical professional), or sue you or anything heinous. It's really sad we need these disclaimers isn't it? I also promise not to cross the Grand Canyon on a tightrope.
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confused
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