SCARED of adding AD to my mood stabilizers

HEy everyone :hug_:

I am looking for some support and stories of succes here with you.
I have cyclothimia and I am currently on 2 mood stabilizers (Lamictal and Abilify) but seems like my depression/melancholy isnt under control and I can't really enjoy life like I should.

I was on AD before, but only on AD and I read that if not taking it together with mood stabilizer if your BP can make your BP worse. And it did in my case. So I'm scared of possibly adding AD to my mix of meds...

SHould I be afraid? I have problems with anxiety as well and like I said I'm scared adding new med to my coctail plus I have a pretty bad opinion about AD's.

Any good stories from you to share?

thanks all

I have to be on an AD. Chance are because you'res on abilify you won't go into a mania. My suggestionhs is go onto the half lowest dose possible and work your way up, unless you're seriously suicidal. Ask for an AD that helps with anxiety also. There's also drugs that combined antipsychotics with anti depressants so that may be an opinion.

I needed to go on an AD as well. As Miguel's Mom mentions, lowest dose to start; my doc even had me take it every other day (as it was a med that could not be split in half so achieved the same result) when I first started to be safe for the effects, tapering into it, and then worked up to daily. It made a world of difference to help with the depressive symptoms, with no ill effects.

Wishing you well and hope you find the help you need.

Thank you both for answering

Well it's just a guess, I might not need it, just I hate this depressive feelings I have almost everyday and it's surelly not normal. One can't see his or her life in a total mess all the time no? It doesn't make sense to feel this way pretty much all the time.

What about AD and Lamictal? Are there any problems when combining those? Mind you I'm on 2 stabilizers...

I might not even need an AD but just an increase of Lamictal or Abilify....only my pdoc can tell me that. I just know this state of mine I'm at just isn't me, still not me.

Oh and forgot to ask guys, if your on mood stabilizers and adding AD, are the side effects of AD still so horriblw? (like more panic attacks, dry mouth etc.)? When on (just) Paroxat I was suffering for about 3 weeks before they started to work properly (but puting me into mania).

Thanks!

Can't share do to not being on meds. Do send good thoughts though.

Thank you Curious

Don't overthink it and trust your pdoc. Actually the combo that works best for me is 5 mg abilify, 150mg Lamictal, and 10mg lexapro. I have bp 2.

Good luck!

In other words, you are asking if the side effects of medication X may be reduced if you take medication Y concurrently. It depends on the nature of the side effect and the profile of medication Y.

If it is, say, dry mouth, then, most likely, not. You would experience the same duration of dry mouth as before.

If it is panic attacks, then, possibly, you would be protected from them by your AP (Abilify is an AP, technically, and not a MS, although it is used to stabilize mood).

Eliza Jane thank you for your good thoughts and info I will know more on tuesday and keep you all updated...I am hoping for some good results at my pdoc...

Hamster yes, I mean I remember how much I suffered when taking just AD. But now ( if AD would be added) I'm asking are side effects still so horrible to manage? I know it's a silly question, since everyones body is unique and works differently.

I am making silly questions to myself and to you all....when I should just take a deep breath and wait until my appointment. But I am soooo anxious.

hugs to you all and thank you*

My doctor said to me only 5% are made manic on ADs. So that is why he started me off with an AD instead of a MS.

I'm on lamictal 400mg and other ones and I just started on an ad, cymbalta. I came off lexapro and we added cymbalta. I've had no side effects and I'm feeling so much better. I think side effects are different for everyone so it's hard to say how you'd react to it. So for me I've had zero problems. I wish you luck!

Thank you guys for the support and good wishes

Let's wait what my pdoc says...

I can't survive without an AD! Cymbalta is my favorite and according to a recent study at John Hopkins it's the most effective AD for depression. Since it's an SNRI, it is unlikely that it will poop out!

I take two AD as well as Abilify. I would be miserable without my Prozac at the very least. It has made a huge difference in my sense of happiness.

I can only take a tiny bit of Celexa because anything even approaching a therapeutic dose has been known to make me manic. I'm on it only because the alternative is worse---I don't do well w/o an AD.

I notice a lot of folks here are on surprising amounts of anti-depressants. They must be the ones who don't get manic on those drugs. If I were taking 30 mg of Prozac or 300 mg of Effexor, you'd have to scrape me off the surface of the moon. So it's very light on the AD and heavier on the mood stabilizer and APs.

Thank you all for sharing your stories with me

I will see what my pdoc says today and keeped you informed. I hope I'll have a good visit...

hugs**

According to my Psychiatrist, you are less prone to mania if you are on a mood stabilizer first, and then add an antidepressant.

I am on lamictal and lexapro.

Valentina thanks for sharing this with me.

I am on 2 mood stabilizers...it's just that I'm scared of taking too much meds... and I'm sure I'll stay on this two meds cus they are helping me, just this sad mood is killing me, hopelessness and sadness...

Good luck with your appointment; I hope you get the answers you need and some help from your doc soon. Hang in there meanwhile.

thank you Fresia