[MagicsMom]

I met with a new psychiatrist today. He confirmed the BP 2 diagnosis and doesn't agree with the medications I've been on - he is taking me off the antidepressant I was on, weaning me off Seroquel and adding Tegretol because I refused Lithium.

From what I've read Tegretol is more for the manic side and I suffer more from the depressive side.

Has anyone had success with this drug with bipolar depression? He's keeping me on Lamictal and Klonopin.

Thanks!!!

I've taken Tegretol for over a decade for rapid cycling Bipolar 1. I haven't had any side effects. I have had breakthrough symptoms, but overall I've been very happy with it. It is my big mood stabilizer.

[MagicsMom]

Originally Posted by RR18

I've taken Tegretol for over a decade for rapid cycling Bipolar 1. I haven't had any side effects. I have had breakthrough symptoms, but overall I've been very happy with it. It is my big mood stabilizer.

Thanks for sharing. I have Bipolar II though.

[robosuplex]

I have not had success with the drug. It made me too sleepy to function on the lowest dose. However I've heard that it works for others. I am also bipolar 2.

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[MagicsMom]

Originally Posted by robosuplex

I have not had success with the drug. It made me too sleepy to function on the lowest dose. However I've heard that it works for others. I am also bipolar 2.

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Thanks. Unfortunately it doesn't make me sleepy at all but then again nothing does. I started with 100 mg tonight and lowered my Seroquel by 100 and I'm wide awake since 2:30 - Ugh!!!

[jesusplay]

Originally Posted by robosuplex

I have not had success with the drug. It made me too sleepy to function on the lowest dose. However I've heard that it works for others. I am also bipolar 2.

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bipolar is bipolar.

you have highs and you have lows.

Depends on what you do while "up" that decides if you're manic or hypomanic, hyop = bipolar 2, manic = bipolar 1.

one episode of mania ever and you will always be bipolar 1, even if you're depressed for the rest of your life.

and what do you have against lithium?

[Trippin2.0]

My first combo consisted of Tegratol XR, looking back now I can't say if it was as effective as I believed it to be at the time, but I do remember that once I was on the correct dosage I had zero side effects. Which in itself scores major brownie points with me.

My second (state) pdoc didn't have access to the XR version so against my better judgement I agreed to try lithium.

Worst medical decision I've ever made, if I do decide to ever get back on the med merry go-round I'd opt for Tegratol XR again, atleast it didn't leave me worse off.

Also bp 2 here and as mentioned above it doesn't matter which number is attached to your dx, we all swing in both directions of this pendulum and are treated accordingly.

[jenniy122]

I was on it for a couple months and didn't notice a difference in my severe depression. I also have BP II, almost always depressed.

[MagicsMom]

Thanks all.

Jesusplay - I've seen too many bad side effects to consider Lithium - specifically weight gain. I'm not willing to gain 20 -75 pounds which is what I've seen with Lithium.

[vjdragonfly]

They started me on Tegretol, it didn't seem to help at all. I requested to go off of it because I was getting sharp pains in a specific spot in my head. Pdoc said she never heard of anything like that, but it went away after I stopped taking it.