[FNCrazy]

I've been taking Cymbalta for about 4 years, only recently diagnosed with bipolar. Although I haven't mentioned it, my pdoc didn't take me off Cymbalta, so I have a question for you guys.

I read the Bipolar Handbook, and the author seems to be a strong advocate of the belief that bipolar depression is not the same as unipolar, and that anti-depressants should not be used.

What do you guys think of that? Are most here taking A.D. or not? I think I'll bring it up with my pdoc, but I wanted to see if it was just one author, or if the general consensus is that A.D.'s do not work or make it worse. I won't lie, giving up the Cymbalta is a bit of a scary proposition.

Thanks!

Bipolar Roller

[BethD1980]

Ive read the same thing, yet Im on an AD and it is working quite well ( along with abilify) some ADs have worked for me and some havent, im on effexor and so far so good. I was diagnosed with bipolar II .
beth

[FNCrazy]

I've got bipolar II as well. I was just put on Abilify, but I had significant side effects, which is rare, because virtually no meds give me side effects. I jumped the dose up a bit faster than maybe I should have, because my pdoc and I are used to me needing larger doses to work at all.

I liked Abilify at first, but when the side effects came in, I just couldn't do it. I'm back off it now, just to make sure that's what was causing them.

In addition, I'm on Depakote, so Cymbalta, Depakote, and temporarily suspended Abilify.

[Amazonmom]

I am scared of anti Ds...the only one I tried sent me on the fast track to mania. (Zoloft) So I am choosing not to take those unless really needed.

[blueoctober]

I'm on an anti-d (wellbutrinXL) and have been on an anti-d since I was diagnosed. It really depends on the person's symptoms on what treatment works best, but without a mood stabilizer I couldn't be on an anti-d.

[owllover99]

I'm on a low dose (30 mg) of Cymbalta along with lithium, lamactial, klonipin and ristoril (low dose) for sleep. I have no problem. My pdoc says 60 mg is too much for a bipolar. I'm doing ok.

[hanners]

Just saw the pdoc this morning, she says I might be mildly bipolar. Then she recommended I increase my Cymbalta. This doesn't make much sense to me.

[tattoogirl33]

I'm newly dx Borderline and Bipolar 1.(as of Jan 2011) I was dx 10+ years ago with chronic depression. I was on Celexia, Effexor, Prozac... nothing helped until we tried Cymbalta. Started out on low doses but have been on the max dose (120 mg) for the past 6-7 yrs. It's the only thing that has kept me "alive". Since the new dx I'm still on Cymbalta (120 ng) until my next appt with a Psychiatrist which i not until May 31 I'm curious as to what other options there are! I'm DEFINATELY looking forward to mood stabilizers!

[fred james]

The emerging consensus is that anti-d's should not be used for bipolar; the author of the Bipolar Handbook, Wes Burgess, was a little ahead of the curve on that in 2006 when he wrote the book.

However, it's very difficult to elevate mood without them. When I've tried to go off Effexor, my mood has plunged even tho i'm on lamictal and lithium. But it's probably true that anti-d's make bp worse over the long run. No easy answers.

[Evil Schnoodle]

For the past several months, I was treated for depression with Effexor and the Cymbalta. These meds destabilized my mood so much that I was having hypomania, then deep waves of depression....suicidal thoughts, risky behavior. I ended up being hospitalized for two weeks and diagnosed with bipolar I. The pdoc explained that often if someone is treated for depression, but is really bipolar , antidepressants can often destabilize the mood. so, i'm on lithium and risperdal now...and feeling so much better.

[DonW]

Similar situation here: BPII dx (but mostly depression), got off Paxil five months ago. I have been advised that the brain can regenerate its repressed serotonin production in 9-12 mo., so I'm trying to stick it out despite renewed depression.

SSRI's scare me. I never had a manic episode before Paxil (60mg sent me off the edge).

[Anneinside]

I have Bipolar II and take Lamictal 200mg, Cymbalta 90mg and Abilify 7.5 mg to control it. My pdoc says that antidepressants can be okay if you also are on a mood stabilizer (for me, Lamictal). I have had my antidepressant dropped when hypomanic. Without Cymbalta I drop into a well of depression.