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#1
Sep 06, 2013, 09:25 PM
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Can anyone give a very high level overview of what is different about a person's brain with BP1 compared to a 'normal' brain.
I've deduced from reading about Saphris that dopamine and serotonin levels run high in a BP1 brain. Is there any more information that you can share?
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Latuda- 40 mg Lithium - 900 mg Lamotrigine - 300mg Venlafaxine ER - 150mg Levothyroxine - .2mg Bipolar 1 - Mixed State, Rapid Cycler with Psychotic Features ... Searching for a glimpse of sanity |
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#2
Sep 06, 2013, 09:59 PM
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It is my understanding that serotonin is low when you are depressed, not high. SSRIs keep the serotonin from being picked up so more stays available in the synapses. Some of the drugs used for BP and depression also increase the dopamine and noreepinephrine levels, such as SNRIs. One other thing I have read is that the hippocampus is smaller than it should be in people with bipolar.
__________________
Lamotrigine 200mg a.m. Abilify 15mg a.m. Emsam 12mg a.m. Propranolol ER 60mg p.m. (for akathisia) Zolpidem 10mg p.m. PRN Klonopin 1mg p.m. Vytorin 10/20mg p.m. Qvar 80mg 1 puff twice a day ProAir PRN 1 puff every 4 hours Albuteral nebulizer solution PRN one treatment every 4 hours ECT once a week |
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#3
Sep 06, 2013, 10:29 PM
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That sounds right. Saphris is for manic and mixed states. It's my understanding that this drug is an antagonist to dopamine and serotonin.
Maybe the extreme level differences explains the different states; depression vs a manic state as an example. Thanks for the information.
__________________
Latuda- 40 mg Lithium - 900 mg Lamotrigine - 300mg Venlafaxine ER - 150mg Levothyroxine - .2mg Bipolar 1 - Mixed State, Rapid Cycler with Psychotic Features ... Searching for a glimpse of sanity |
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#4
Sep 07, 2013, 06:22 AM
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One of the theories is that the normal mechanisms that bring the brain chemicals back to normal levels are not functioning in the BP brain. This results in BP episodes when something triggers the brain to either get depressed or manic. I feel that the depressions are often after a manic episode cos all the brain chemicals are used up and exhausted!!
One thing that helped me was identifying triggers and working on them in therapy so I didn't have as many episodes but often the moods are without a reason so not preventable. Hope your meds help to control things for you.
__________________
 I can do all things through him who gives me strength
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#5
Sep 07, 2013, 09:24 AM
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From my reading, and from what my doctor told me, it's about the three monoamines (dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine) being out of balance. However, the exact balance is not well understood. That's why finding the right combination of meds is so hit and miss. There is a strong correlation between high dopamine levels and psychosis, especially schizophrenia.
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“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche |
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#6
Sep 07, 2013, 09:27 AM
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I personally know that Mirapex an antagonist to dopamine is helping my depression.
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#7
Sep 07, 2013, 09:56 AM
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Thank you everyone. This is very helpful.
__________________
Latuda- 40 mg Lithium - 900 mg Lamotrigine - 300mg Venlafaxine ER - 150mg Levothyroxine - .2mg Bipolar 1 - Mixed State, Rapid Cycler with Psychotic Features ... Searching for a glimpse of sanity |
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#8
Sep 07, 2013, 12:44 PM
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Let us know how the Saphris works out for you. It was a side effect disaster for me.
__________________
“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche |
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#9
Sep 07, 2013, 01:49 PM
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Quote:
the bipolar brain is an alien trapped in it's perfect mis-understandings... it is pre-occupied with forgetting to identify itself! because it was forced to justify itself once ... and it could not ...it melts into our personality instead for it's a much more convenient decision!... so we arrive together at life and we are suddenly not alone anymore... we have an extraordinary companion... no other human would contemplate this phenomenon! but we have an unpredictable yet delightful friend who has accidentally assumed control of our personality... it is frightening terrifying shattering... but it is spiritual glorious and we must trust it... only then can we discipline it and arrive at some kind of relationship... a bipolar person can actually live alone because of this... it is actually very remarkable...to be without and with everything and yet never meet |
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