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Old Nov 12, 2019, 01:46 PM
Amy3boys Amy3boys is offline
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So I've stuck with Lamictal for 6-7 weeks but since reaching 100 mg I've had constant cold symptoms. Sore throat and congestion are common side effects but I can't keep taking Advil and Sudafed every day for much longer. It's too bad b/c the med has really been good for my mood, mainly helping depression but also keeping me calmer and from having anger outbursts. I also take a lower dose of Geodon, which doesn't help like it once did. When I increased the Geodon I got akathesia. Does anyone have any suggestions for a different mood stabilizer that hasn't caused bad side effects? I'm supposed to talk to my doctor later today and want to have something to suggest. Thanks!
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Old Nov 12, 2019, 02:30 PM
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bpcyclist bpcyclist is offline
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Location: Portland
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Not doing well today, but saw that you were seeing pdoc later and just wanted to mention that lithium saved my life. It works for mania, everyone knows that, but for me, it was key in getting my crushing depression way better. I get a dry mouth, but am on Wellbutrin and Provigil, too, so hard to know on that. Never had kidney issues. Bit of tremor, but that got way better when I was off Abilifry. Now back on it, tremor back. Might be worth a look.
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  #3  
Old Nov 12, 2019, 02:50 PM
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Blue_Bird Blue_Bird is online now
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I've tried 3 different mood stabilizers. Lithium didn't do anything for me and put me in the ICU, Depakote helped a lot but caused a lot of weight gain so I was switched to Trileptal which I've been on for several years and it's worked great (especially for mania) with no side effects and no weight gain
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Diagnosis:
Schizoaffective disorder Bipolar type
PTSD
Social Anxiety Disorder
Anorexia Binge/Purge type
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  #4  
Old Nov 12, 2019, 04:40 PM
still_crazy still_crazy is offline
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trileptal was OK to me...just watch the dose, get your blood sodium levels checked at baseline and then every now and then while on it. or...have you tried gabapentin? its not really a 'mood stabilizer,' but if you have anxiety and all that, it can even things out, especially if you're not in the bipolar I/schizoaffective realm. 3x daily dosing...ugh. lyrica is like gabapentinx5, and its a Schedule V controlled substance (amphetamines are II, benzodiazepines are IV, to put that into perspective), but its generic, now, and ongoing use just requires 2x daily dosing.
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Old Nov 13, 2019, 03:18 PM
*Beth* *Beth* is offline
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Location: Downtown Vibes, California
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Amy3boys View Post
So I've stuck with Lamictal for 6-7 weeks but since reaching 100 mg I've had constant cold symptoms. Sore throat and congestion are common side effects but I can't keep taking Advil and Sudafed every day for much longer. It's too bad b/c the med has really been good for my mood, mainly helping depression but also keeping me calmer and from having anger outbursts. I also take a lower dose of Geodon, which doesn't help like it once did. When I increased the Geodon I got akathesia. Does anyone have any suggestions for a different mood stabilizer that hasn't caused bad side effects? I'm supposed to talk to my doctor later today and want to have something to suggest. Thanks!

Sudafed - here's a good chance that you're spun out from it and that it's causing instability & possible side effects.
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