Quote:
Originally Posted by graystreet
I can't remember why he didn't want to do Lamictal with me. There was some reason, because we discussed it. I tend to have quite a lot of trouble with depression, more than mania (though my mania is more irritability than anything else) and he kept me on Wellbutrin but increased it when my dx was changed from unipolar depression to bipolar. I was on Abilify, but I found that it, like Geodon, it worked well for a hot minute but made me incredibly anxious in the long run. Lexapro was just added about a month and a half ago.
Basically, my main issues are deep depression and overwhelming anxiety. The irritability comes and goes and is only a tertiary issue at this point. But when I mess with the status quo it really comes to the forefront. Like now. I kind of wish I had something to calm me down, but I don't like how many meds I'm on already; I'm not keen on adding more to the mix.
|
That's rough. It looks like we've been on a similar mix of medication. I'm BP2 with roughly equal doses of depression, anger and irritability at baseline without meds. With meds, I'm somewhat depressed and occasionally irritable. The meds have "mellowed" me out but I feel like a different person to who I was six years ago. I'm not as mentally sharp and motivated, but I guess stability can come with compromises.
I was on Abilify until about a month ago. It helped with my sleep and teariness, but since Lamictal was working so well, my psychiatrist took me off it. I might discuss adding it back when I meet with her on Monday. She doesn't believe in overmedicating and I appreciate that. We incorporate things like meditation (often during our sessions), autogenic training, journalling, self-soothing with lavender essential oil, etc.
I'm on 10mg escitalopram too and the goal is to remove it completely. Treatment with only antidepressants (or a combination of mood stabilizer and a moderate dose of AD) have generally added to my anxiety and have given me severe hypomania/mania (e.g. Wellbutrin). Escitalopram was kept on while I was on Trileptal. Without it, the latter made me drowsy and a bit depressed (mostly numb).
Good luck! I'm here for you if you want to talk more.
