[JustJace2u]

So, I'm meeting with my pdoc tomorrow and not sure if I should bring this up or not. However, with as uneasy as I've been feeling the last few weeks I'm wondering if a mood stabilizer might be a good idea. As I told my social worker/therapist today, my mood has seriously been all over the place. Sorry, just thinking out loud. So many thoughts racing through my head and I can't keep them under control.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I'm surprised you weren't tried on a mood stabilizers already. At least back when I was diagnosed that was step one for most people. I definitely would ask about it. It can't hurt and might help (well, side effects can hurt but that's true of any drug of course).

Vrylar is an antipsychotic and a mood stabilizer. I assume you mean you also want an anticonvulsant like Lamictal?

Lamictal is nice due to the fact most people don't have any side effects. Another option is lithium, but you have to watch your kidneys with that one.

I do think it's weird you're not on an anticonvulsant in addition to the AP. Definitely ask about Lamictal due to its lack of side effects.

Here's a useful link: Anticonvulsants for Bipolar Disorder: Types and Side Effects

[SingDanceRunLife]

For a very long time I was on an AP and not an anticonvulsant, so I don't think it's that weird.

But if you're feeling off and want more of an even keel, then definitely talk to your doctor. I recently (like 2 months ago) started lamictal and it has made my life so much better! I just feel more even and not like the tipping scales trying to balance

Originally Posted by SingDanceRunLife

For a very long time I was on an AP and not an anticonvulsant, so I don't think it's that weird.

I guess I sort of worded my post poorly, so I'm sorry for that

What I meant to say was that it's weird she isn't on an anticonvulsant if she keeps having mood swings.

[JustJace2u]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

Vrylar is an antipsychotic and a mood stabilizer. I assume you mean you also want an anticonvulsant like Lamictal?

Lamictal is nice due to the fact most people don't have any side effects. Another option is lithium, but you have to watch your kidneys with that one.

I do think it's weird you're not on an anticonvulsant in addition to the AP. Definitely ask about Lamictal due to its lack of side effects.

Here's a useful link: Anticonvulsants for Bipolar Disorder: Types and Side Effects

Thanks for the input.

[jules77]

I've always been on at least 1 mood stabilizer, and oftentimes as well an antipsychotic. i am not currently on an antipsychotic, but i feel like a typical regimen for BP 1/2 includes some sort of mood stabilizer. no harm in mentioning, if your psych is skilled & has experience they will be able to understand and suggest the appropriate measures needed. assertion and preparedness are very helpful in these kinds of appointments. you got it! your health is priority #1.

[Bipolar Warrior]

I was first diagnosed with depression and put on an SSRI, and for a while that really seemed to do the trick. I was feeling pretty great. Then the antidepressant just stopped working. I went back to my GP and was referred to a psychiatrist, where I was properly assessed and diagnosed. Realised the "feeling great" part was hypomania caused by the SSRI, which was obviously followed by depression.

So for me, a mood stabiliser has been necessary. I have been on Lamictal for almost two years now. Before that I was on quetiapine (Seroquel) for three years, for reasons unknown to man since my main problem has always been depression. I gained 50 pounds and felt like my brain had been replaced by a block of cement, so eventually I just decided that I couldn't be on it anymore. Once I switched to Lamictal I lost all the weight I had gained over three years in just six months, and I feel much better now than I did on quetiapine (or "satan in pill form" as I like to call it).

I recently went from taking 150mg of Lamictal once a day to taking the same dose twice a day due to another depressive episode. So far my mood seems to be improving, but I think it has made my migraines worse. Waiting to find out if it's just a phase or if I need to look into other alternatives, as I simply cannot have two or three migraines per week. It's exhausting.

I hope you find something that works for you!

[Ripose]

Lamictal worked wonders for me. I went from constant deep depression to just mildly depressed now. It calmed down my manic episodes to some degree and best of all it virtually stopped my irritability/anger issues. The magic amount for me was 300 mg.

[Travelinglady]

I vote for a mood stabilizer.

[Wild Coyote]

You may find a mood stabilizer helpful.
Lamictal is an amazing med for many; however, it has risks like other meds too. If you can tolerate it without the dangerous rash(aka Stevens Johnson Syndrome or SJS), you may like the effects. I wish I could take it; I got the rash.

Glad to see you around!

WC

[Bipolar Warrior]

WC, did you actually develop SJS? I've heard a rash can be pretty common, and was under the impression that you would then have to monitor the rash in case it gets worse and you develop other symptoms as well? Did that happen to you? If so, that's really awful and I'm sorry.

I got a rash when I first started taking it, but I was on holiday and the parts with the rash were also sunburned so I didn't know if it was caused by the meds or not. I just continued to take it. Probably would have called someone about it if I hadn't been on Gran Canaria.

[Wander]

I agree with trying a mood stabiliser. Lithium has been very helpful for me but it does come with side effects, all of which I can manage well. Lamotrigine didn't really work for me. It would seem we are all different when it comes to meds.

[Gabyunbound]

Maybe your thoughts are racing because you're anxious about your pdoc appointment? That would be perfectly natural. I would bring up the possibility of taking a mood stabilizer and work closely with your pdoc to see what would be best for you. Do you find that therapy helps at all? I think it can be helpful for mood in general, whether BP or not, and a whole slew of other problems, if you have the right therapist.

Best of luck with your pdoc appointment and choosing the best medication for you!

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Bipolar Warrior

WC, did you actually develop SJS? I've heard a rash can be pretty common, and was under the impression that you would then have to monitor the rash in case it gets worse and you develop other symptoms as well? Did that happen to you? If so, that's really awful and I'm sorry.

I got a rash when I first started taking it, but I was on holiday and the parts with the rash were also sunburned so I didn't know if it was caused by the meds or not. I just continued to take it. Probably would have called someone about it if I hadn't been on Gran Canaria.

It all happened fast. I was seen on an emergency basis by the dermatology division at the local medical school. It was the worst on scalp and ears for me. very gross. It took over a month to clear. I was very vigilant and stopped meds, luckily.

Another family member has had full-blown SJS, and wow, what a nightmare, even years later. She was never warned about SJS, which is a potential side-effect of many meds, by the way. Doctors tell her SJS has affected her internal organs, too. Her experience with it was not from Lamictal.

If you notice even the slightest rash, call your doctor immediately.

Lamictal is a wonder drug for my husband.


WC

[Bipolar Warrior]

I recently doubled my dose and was again told to look out for a rash. Didn't expect it to happen, though, since I have been on it for nearly two years and have not had any problems.

SJS sounds horrible! Glad you were on top of it and stopped it before it got any worse. What happened to your family member is like one of those horror stories. It's so upsetting that these meds which are supposed to make us better can actually cause us a lot more harm.

Fortunately my rash turned out to just be due to the sunburn. I think I caused it myself by scratching the itchy sunburned areas. Aloe vera worked wonders.

The one thing I will not do here, is suggest a person take a certain med. These meds can have serious, and even fatal side effects. I would hate to say "yeah, you should try lithium" and then 6 months later you come back with lifelong kidney issues. I would feel partially responsible. I'm weird like that. You definately need to talk it over with your doctor. A mood stabilizer might be just what you need, but ultimately, it's up to you to do the research and see if you feel comfortable with the med and risks. I know all too well how hard the decision can be. Good luck and let us know what you and your doctor decide. I hope you find something to help you. (((Hugs)))

[JustJace2u]

So, had my appointment yesterday and it went well. He wants to give it another month on my current cocktail and we will re-evaluate next time I meet with him. I did not ask about an anti-convulsant, but depending how things go I may or may not need one it seems. In the meantime, he wants me to see the therapist once a week instead of every 3-4 weeks. Thanks all for the support 😘