[Hashi/bipolar mom]

I'm so over experimenting with medications. Since June I've been on Lithium and had to quit do to physical side affects. It was really helping but just couldn't take it. I've now been on Depakote for about a month and went from 1000mg to 1500mg this past week because it didn't seem like it was working. Now my anxiety is through the roof and I'm having insomnia. I also don't feel like its helping with the BP. I'm so desperate for something to work and not wreck my body. I'm already very overweight and just can't handle any more weight. I'm so discouraged and really worried that I'm never going to feel normal again. It makes me so sad and tired.

Any stabilizing drugs that can work with my Lamictal (which I love) and don't add weight?

I'm desperate!

[Victoria'smom]

Abilify can be used as a mood stabilizer. and doesn't cause weight gain. Well it's not suppose to anyway.

[Hashi/bipolar mom]

I was on that about 2 years ago along with an antidepressant and Lamictal before my BP diagnosis. I gained 25lbs in 6 months.

[Victoria'smom]

have you tried lutuda or invega?

[Hashi/bipolar mom]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

have you tried lutuda or invega?

I haven't but are they like Abilify?

[Victoria'smom]

They're both an AP soupose to weight neutral and can also be used as a mood stablizer.

[wildflowerchild25]

Invega has been a true life saver for me. No manic episodes or psychosis in over a year. Doesn't work real well for depression but that's why I have the Wellbutrin. No weight gain either.

[cloudyn808]

I suspect my Hashi's (and Celiac) may be a contributing factor to drugs either not working or having horrendous side effects... After 4 psychiatrists were recently consulted, it has been determined that there is no further drug (or combination thereof) that will improve my depression.

Upon hearing this I was adamant that an MAOI should be tried. None of these respected psychiatrists would prescribe one (Nardil or Parnate) They are simply afraid of being sued in case I take my life- HA! At this point, NOT prescribing an MAOI should be grounds for a negligence claim!

Anyway, I know there are many people on this site who should at least be offered a chance to take something that may help our severe depression. I'm a little disgusted with the medical community right now... I have a right to be... ECT, rTMS, Ketamine, Quantium Medicine, Accupuncture, Neurofeedback...NOTHING has offered me any relief.

Thanks for letting me vent... But...ARGGG has your psychiatrist offers you an MAOI? Why not?

[gina_re]

My Trileptal is supposed to be a weight neutral mood stabilizer and I didn't really gain any weight on it. I started putting on weight when Paxil was added in to my cocktail. But other than that I was stable on it for a few years. Before I had the minor depressive episode, hence the paxil.
But then again it's pretty much like Lamictal....
I hope you are able to find a good replacement. I understand that frustration. I've focused so much on my mental health and getting that straight that my physical health is absolutely horrible. More weight was gained than necessary. Heading to my GP this week to assess that now that I've stabilized mentally.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Have you asked about Emsam? It's an MAOI and it's a patch which makes it less restrictive than the older MAOIs b/c it doesn't put the med through the GI system. At the lowest dose there are no restrictions at all. The higher 2 doses do have restrictions but my dr lets me be pretty relaxed at the middle dose b/c the developer of the drug told her the restrictions are only in place b/c the FDA was afraid to not have them. The highest dose I am on the restrictions. But I've been on it 6 years and have rarely needed the highest dose (just now and one other time that was brief).

I do know that a lot of pdocs (and many drs in other specialties) don't know much about MAOIs and avoid them. They just aren't used much. When I was IP I was going to be changed to Nardil until I found out how much it cost and the dr had to check the pharmacy to see which MAOIs they even had. I always provide my own Emsam because they don't stock it. And I am at a huge research hospital. I am very fortunate to have a pdoc who is comfortable with Emsam and has several patients on it.

Can you go to a big teaching hospital? I think it is more likely that you'd find a pdoc comfortable with MAOIs there. I don't know how you'd know without making appts. unfortunately but big hospitals seem to be my best solution for many things.

The MAOI has made a big difference in my life. It doesn't seem to be doing much now and I have a feeling I'm going to have to make a big change soon I don't want to think about soon but for 6 years it has been a wonder drug. (And I think it is my Seroquel not working well that is the problem, not the Emsam, now. I think the Seroquel just isn't doing its' share of the work).

I hope you find someone to let you try this.

Originally Posted by cloudyn808

I suspect my Hashi's (and Celiac) may be a contributing factor to drugs either not working or having horrendous side effects... After 4 psychiatrists were recently consulted, it has been determined that there is no further drug (or combination thereof) that will improve my depression.

Upon hearing this I was adamant that an MAOI should be tried. None of these respected psychiatrists would prescribe one (Nardil or Parnate) They are simply afraid of being sued in case I take my life- HA! At this point, NOT prescribing an MAOI should be grounds for a negligence claim!

Anyway, I know there are many people on this site who should at least be offered a chance to take something that may help our severe depression. I'm a little disgusted with the medical community right now... I have a right to be... ECT, rTMS, Ketamine, Quantium Medicine, Accupuncture, Neurofeedback...NOTHING has offered me any relief.

Thanks for letting me vent... But...ARGGG has your psychiatrist offers you an MAOI? Why not?

[BlackSheep79]

Just started Geodon two weeks ago. I'm going up to 60mg tomorrow, so it's not therapeutic yet, still hypo. It's weight neutral, had no problems at all. I'm also sleeping way better. I literally need a horse tranquilizer, that's why I stayed on Seroquel so long. So yeah no side effects for me, which never happens. I'm allergic to 5 psych meds, so I hope it works. Just a suggestion for a possible med for you to try out. It's unfortunately a bumpy ride for us.

[Blue_Bird]

Invega works great for me too

[raspberrytorte]

Geodon works well for me too. And I've lost ten pounds since starting it.

[xxblackrosesxx]

I heard the risperal doesn't make you gain too much weight and it's more narrowed down to schizophrenia and bipolar. My care coordinator wants me to try it but she needs permission from my pdoc first

[Hashi/bipolar mom]

These are all good suggestions. BTW, I have severe Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and my Endocrinologist wants me on a Gluten free diet too. She says it could change everything. I'm like, that is the only thing that does make me happy right now (besides my son an husband).

My pdoc is young, probably late 30's and is very up to date on new techniques. Maybe she would let me take an MAOI. My only problem is that I've lost two brothers to heart attacks in the past 3 years, one last week in fact. She might consider me a risk for that. However, I like the patch idea since I have absorption issues due to Gastric Bypass (on Depakote syrup right now) because of that. Helps absorb easier.

I'm just so tired...tired....tired mentally. I'm only in my early 40's and feel like I'm in my 80's. I'm exhausted by my life. Everyone says I should write a book for all the **** and craziness that has happened in my life outside of even mental illness.

I know, I'm having a pity party, but I'm so desperate to feel good again.

[raspberrytorte]

I hope you're able to find something that helps, hashi.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I am so sorry about the loss of your brother. Adding grief to bipolar is always difficult.