[Nardella]

So here is my situation, I'm taking the following:
40mg Latuda
150 mg lamotrigine
40mg nexium
I was on venlafaxine as well but am in the process of being weaned off of it.

In the past I have taken paxil, respiredol, seroquel and at least one other anti depressant.

I'm a 330 pound 26 year old male. Diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, Bipolar NOS with rapid cycling and atypical depression.

For my entire life on all medications I have had issues with suicidal ideation.

Right now the venlafaxine is being removed because it seemed to be ineffective, at 300mg I still at times of high stress had severe depression.

Since a while after I began the reduction I have noticed three things, my aspergers symptoms seem to be more intense, my libido exists and I have less control over my spending habits. Do any of you suspect that these things are related to the gradual removal of the venlafaxine?

The next step in the plan my doctor and I have is to gradually remove the lamotrigine as I doubt it is having any effect.

Right now my big problems in order of severity and priority are as follows:
Suicidal Ideation
Decreased control over spending
Depression
Increased sleep (I sleep about 12 hours a day)
Increased severity of aspergers symptoms
My obesity

I am unconcerned about reduced libido, I've gone much of my life on medication that reduces or eliminates that I've found other adult ways to satisfy myself and my partners. I'm at the point where a libido is an inconvenience more than anything.

Do any of you have ideas on medications or other treatments that I could look into with my doctor to improve my situation?

[~Christina]

There are many combos of medications available.

What other ones have you tried ? what side effects?

Lamictal is a mood stabilizer but it mainly works on the depressive end of Bipolar
Latuda is also marketed for the depressive side.
Effexor "usually" brings people up.
Nexium decreases the acid in your stomach , but it can efect the way your medications are absorbed.

Have you been on a mood stabilizer in the past? Lithium, etc?

As for your weight it could be an issue , But I am anorexic and low weight but when I was on meds my body processed the meds very quickly so I had to take larger than average doses for them to work.

Did your pdoc start you on one medication at a time? If not you wont know what is helping or isn't and what is causing what side effect .

When I stopped my meds , It took me literally 3 months for my brain to return to working med free. So even if say the half life of a medication is 14 days ( just an example) you need 14 days after the last dose to be truly "off the med" then allow time for your body to respond without the daily dose of that Chemical.

Of course I am NO doctor , no one can diagnose but you will find everyone willing to share advice and there own expieirences

Welcome to PC

[bella4]

Has your physician ever asked you about doing genetic testing? I had it done several months ago due to none of my meds. working that I was on. The results help determine what medications will work best for you. Hope that helps!

Originally Posted by ~Christina

There are many combos of medications available.

What other ones have you tried ? what side effects?

Lamictal is a mood stabilizer but it mainly works on the depressive end of Bipolar
Latuda is also marketed for the depressive side.
Effexor "usually" brings people up.
Nexium decreases the acid in your stomach , but it can efect the way your medications are absorbed.

Have you been on a mood stabilizer in the past? Lithium, etc?

As for your weight it could be an issue , But I am anorexic and low weight but when I was on meds my body processed the meds very quickly so I had to take larger than average doses for them to work.

Did your pdoc start you on one medication at a time? If not you wont know what is helping or isn't and what is causing what side effect .

When I stopped my meds , It took me literally 3 months for my brain to return to working med free. So even if say the half life of a medication is 14 days ( just an example) you need 14 days after the last dose to be truly "off the med" then allow time for your body to respond without the daily dose of that Chemical.

Of course I am NO doctor , no one can diagnose but you will find everyone willing to share advice and there own expieirences

Welcome to PC

Always have great advice and insight!!

[RisuNeko]

Lithium is especially proven to help with suicidal ideation. It's the only one I know of that has a significant body of evidence showing it stops suicidal ideation.

[UCMATH]

I think lithium is what stopped my suicidal ideation for quite some time. I did gain a significant amount of weight when I was taking it, however. It also made me sick to my stomach, and I shook like a parkinson's patient at the effective plasma levels (people kept asking me if I was nervous) so I had to stop taking it.

[scatterbrained04]

Trileptal worked well for me as far as pulling me out of depression enough to end suicidal ideation. It's weight neutral too. I think it's an anticonvulsant like Lamictal.

I only felt sui when I was depressed. Are you sure your taking enough Lamictal for it to even work hun? I didn't notice any effect till I was at 300mg. Good luck!