[simon1981]

Its my time time trying an antidepressant (generic Zoloft). I have usually just suffered through depression but as this is my third episode I thought I should try meds. I have been on Depakote for about a month and I an tolerate the side effects so far. I have had three serious manic and depressive episodes in the past and can not afford to let it happen again.

Anyone have any thoughts, advice, experience about antidepressants?

I was on lamotrigine after my second episode I was not sure if it helped with depression or it naturally subsided, but eventually experienced another manic episode so I switched to Depakote.

[newtothis31]

I took Depakote with Effexor for a while since my depressive symptoms weren't being addressed by Depakote alone. My depressive symptoms still continued and I had some mix mood states (but it did a much better job then my previous med combo), so I ended up swapping Effexor for Latuda and it has done a better job keeping me stable.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

[Turtlesoup]

Hi Simon-as a nurse I can tell you antidepressants are kinda like BP & cardiac meds-there are a lot of different types & everyone responds to them differently. It usually takes some juggling & trying different combos to find the ones that work well for you. Over the years I have tried different things-have had Zoloft, Trazodone, Paxil, Nortriptyline & others. Since I have multiple diagnoses it's pretty tricky to manage one thing without messing up another so I've learned to be patient. I've also done well for periods of times without them & then not so well. Right now I'm taking Prozac, Depakote & Propranolol-I have Ambien & Ativan that I occasionally take as needed. It's really important to exercise & have a healthy diet & a good Tdoc is awesome. I made the decision not to ever have psych meds prescribed by any type of doctor other than a good pdoc-have had some bad experiences with regular MDs not having a clue about what they were doing. This is a great forum for support as well so welcome & take care.

[arose113]

Originally Posted by simon1981

Its my time time trying an antidepressant (generic Zoloft). I have usually just suffered through depression but as this is my third episode I thought I should try meds. I have been on Depakote for about a month and I an tolerate the side effects so far. I have had three serious manic and depressive episodes in the past and can not afford to let it happen again.

Anyone have any thoughts, advice, experience about antidepressants?

I was on lamotrigine after my second episode I was not sure if it helped with depression or it naturally subsided, but eventually experienced another manic episode so I switched to Depakote.

I found that Effexor worked pretty good with the lamotrigine and the abilify, but I also liked when I was taking Depakote with lexapro, but because everyone has a different chemical make up, everything works different for different people.

Hope you find something that helps!!

[~Christina]

If I take any kinda AD I will be heading towards Pluto in a day or 2 .

[Crazy Hitch]

I have to be so careful as to when I'm put on an AD and when I'm not. And I have to be on a mood stabilizer. It needs to be very carefully monitored before I flip over to the other side. There is such a fine line of balance.

[notALICE]

Yup. AD's alone have flipped 2 of my sons & myself into mania. Actually helped get definitive diagnosis. Even though all patterns of behavior had always pointed towards Bipolar. Mood stabilizer in combo really helps us.

[onionknight]

For some reason, antidepressants don't trigger any hypomania in me, at least not at the low doses I've always taken them. Right now I take Zoloft with Lamictal because it takes time for the Lamictal to work, and I was already on Zoloft and fairly confident it would keep me functional until we see how Lamictal works. Although antidepressants do mostly numb me out so they aren't a great fit in the long term. I think my doctor wants me in the long term to try to only be on the mood stabilizer, which I'm personally not sure about since I've had some bad depression and OCD.

[Victoria'smom]

The only Anti-depressent that did not make me evilly high is viibrid because it also has anti psychotic qualities and anti anxiety qualities.