[Homeira]

What kind of medication do you use for BP depression? I am doing better than I was before since I started eating a lot better, getting some bloodwork done, and finding out that I was very low on vit B12 and iron; and therefore getting more of that into me also! ( Injections and supplements). But my question is still the same. Winter is coming (no pun intended GOT-fans), and so is my seasonal high and then massive crash. Feel like maybe I should be better prepared this time and look into some meds that could help the depression when it comes. Hopefully it wont, but in four years of experience with this, it does...

[Blue_Bird]

I have Schizoaffective Disorder (Bipolar Type) and take the following meds:

Zoloft (Anti-Depressant) 50mg
Invega Sustenna Injections (Antipsychotic) 117 once a month
Klonopin (Anti-Anxiety) .5mg prn up to 3 times a day
Trazodone (Sleep) 100 mg prn

[Crazy Hitch]

I take Cymbalta.

It has to be carefully monitored because it can cause mania or mixed episodes with me. So far my mood stabilizer is keeping that at bay.

My mood also drops every winter. Hate it!

Hope you find something that works for you.

[BipolaRNurse]

I was inpatient for a week recently with bipolar depression and they increased my Lamictal by 100 mg and Zyprexa by 2.5 mg. This has helped bring me out of the depression without making me manic. The only downside to this is that I'm now maxed out on the Lamictal, so I'm hoping it'll keep working because I don't like the other alternatives.

[RavenStark]

I'm on 120mg/daily of cymbalta. I was originally worried as i've read that anti-depressants can be harmful to bp patients, but cymbalta has helped. I've tried wellbutrin, effexor, and lexapro before trying (and loving) cymbalta. I do take abilify with the cymbalta too.

I also take 500mg of depakote daily for the bp.

[Wander]

I am on Pristiq and Lamictal for the depression and Lithium keeps the mania at bay. I did go a little hypomanic when starting Pristiq and Lamictal but it was managable with extra Zyprexa. I hope you find something to help you through the winter.

[Homeira]

I have started with a new psychiatrist, and she doesnt know me that well yet. I have told her that I want to change my medication, maybe up it even. I am going to see her on Thursday. Will take some of this info with me. I just end up getting confused when I go online and try to research this. So this is helpful!

[smartbutcrazy]

I can't recommend medications but a friend told me about something called HappyLight. I had someone pick one up for me for 40 dollars at a wholesale club. It is made by "verilux" and supposedly work well but go for a lot more money. I am going to give it a try because I am also concerned about winter coming. (I am getting fearful about the white walkers you know.)

[ChaoticSymphony]

Do not take Paxil or Effexor. I'm currently coming off Effexor and the withdrawals are severely messing up my mind and body. Never tried cymbalta but I would suggest googling how most patients feel when stopping. Ugh it's a nightmare.

[Crazy Hitch]

Originally Posted by RavenStark

I'm on 120mg/daily of cymbalta. I was originally worried as i've read that anti-depressants can be harmful to bp patients, but cymbalta has helped. I've tried wellbutrin, effexor, and lexapro before trying (and loving) cymbalta. I do take abilify with the cymbalta too.

I also take 500mg of depakote daily for the bp.

Wish I could go back to 120mg - can only manage half of that dose otherwise I go to lala land.

I'm also concerned about the coming Winter. Most of my suicide attempts have been in January, including last January. I am reluctant to take an anti-depressant, tho, because last time i did [Celexa] it made me manic. I've bonded more deeply with my dog now, so i am hoping that will keep me from attempting suicide this year. Sigh!

[Homeira]

Apfei; I know what you mean. never attempted suicide though, but I have certainly rationalized to myself why I should choose that. But mother-instinct won. Just remember that you are irreplacable, and you have an important part to play in this world. We all do. Maybe we don`t even know it ourselves. And you owe it to the rest of us to hang in there, because we need you!

[Homeira]

Originally Posted by smartbutcrazy

I can't recommend medications but a friend told me about something called HappyLight. I had someone pick one up for me for 40 dollars at a wholesale club. It is made by "verilux" and supposedly work well but go for a lot more money. I am going to give it a try because I am also concerned about winter coming. (I am getting fearful about the white walkers you know.)

Must look into that. I live in Norway, and it might not be possible to get it over here. But maybe something similar, could be. Becoming a bit sentimental now, thinking of how much I enjoyed reading the GOT-series. Great books! White walkers... sigh...

[smartbutcrazy]

Yes. Enjoyed the books immensely. Doubtful there will ever be a conclusion to that saga. Good luck with the lamp. Perhaps it could be found online?

[~Christina]

I am on Lamictal. I am unable to take any kind of AD as they fling me right into an ugly mania.

[Nammu]

I'm on lamictal and latuda for BP depression

I also take a Rx omega and for a while I needed RX vit D it does help if you are eating healthy and getting excersize.

[Homeira]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

I am on Lamictal. I am unable to take any kind of AD as they fling me right into an ugly mania.

I take lamictal and AD. Lamictal keeps me from getting manic, but doesnt seem to keep me from the depressions. Maybe it is the mix with the AD. My former psychiatrist was all for me taking the AD, but I am really not sure anymore. Maybe that mix is not working well for me.

[lilacsmoke]

Originally Posted by ChaoticSymphony

Do not take Paxil or Effexor. I'm currently coming off Effexor and the withdrawals are severely messing up my mind and body. Never tried cymbalta but I would suggest googling how most patients feel when stopping. Ugh it's a nightmare.

I'm currently coming off Prozac at the moment (I was being treated for major depression initially) however, I am still on Effexor at the moment. I'm meeting with my psychiatrist tomorrow to discuss adding a new medication to treat BP2 (Lamictal hopefully, but we'll see what he says). Should I bring up Effexor?

[lilacsmoke]

Sigh. The never-ending balance game of medications. I was on Prozac AND a high dose of Effexor and let's just say that is a manic road I never want to walk again. Thank goodness I'm being tapered of Prozac. ANYWAY.

I am hoping to start being treated with Lamictal (tomorrow is my appointment, actually), and keep the Effexor as is, however we'll see how I react. It's hard to find that balance of being stable, pulled out of the depressive episodes, but not have them make you hypomanic, or especially manic.

B12, Vitamin D, eating healthy (and balanced) food, getting DAILY exercise, natural light & fresh air, and being very in-tune to your body and being aware of how your medications are affecting you is so, so crucial. Getting enough sleep also makes a HUGE difference. But kudos to you for already doing lots of this, and even having blood tests done to monitor levels (I think that is a brilliant idea).

This is kind of a suggestion of something that has worked for ME in the past, but I find going to a local pool and swimming helps a LOT to combat SAD during the winter months. I guess the whole thing about being in the water just reminds me of warmer weather. PLUS it is awesome, fun exercise. So if that is something you'd be willing to try, I know that it has been amazing for me.

Good luck! and take care