[DeFyYing]

Hey guys unfortunately my thyroid is taking quite a beating from Lithium. It's really a shame since Lithium has been great for both my highs and lows, and the only difficult side effect it's given me is acne. As a result, my pdoc might put me on either Depakote or Tegretol. I tried Depakote in the past and it helped my highs but I got depressed on it (maybe pairing it with Latuda/Wellubtrin/Lamictal might help?). I've never been on Tegretol, and I heard some complaints about cognitive side effects and sleepiness. What are your experiences with these two primary mood stabilizers? Which one is more sedating? How was your cognition on them?

[HALLIEBETH87]

Tegretol made me completely and utterly stupid lol
I only took it a week. Depakote I havent take . Lithium destroyed my thyroid and I now have to take a pill forever for it.

[DeFyYing]

Originally Posted by HALLIEBETH87

Tegretol made me completely and utterly stupid lol
I only took it a week. Depakote I havent take . Lithium destroyed my thyroid and I now have to take a pill forever for it.

Im so sorry to hear that, it should be a standard for lithium users to have thyroid blood tests. it just sucks that they let it get to that point where it's too late and you need thyroid medication for the rest of your life.


Sorry to hear about your experience with tegretol. Ive heard similar reports. I would take Lamictal but I got to 200mg and it didnt lift my depression unfortunately. Titrating up took so long so I really tried to give it a chance but I just couldn't take the mixed episode anymore after like 3 months on it. Maybe ill ask if I can give Depakote another shot

How is Vraylar? Ive been experiencing anhedonia which I think is a negative symptom rather than a depressive symptom so ive been interested in it. Mad expensive though for me unfortunately

[HALLIEBETH87]

Vraylar has change me life! I feel amazing and no psychosis or paranoia!

I love Tegretol XR and have been on a large dose 1400 mg0 for almost 8 years. For the last 7.5 years I've had virtually no side effects at all. It definitely doesn't make me "stupid". In fact, my thinking is clear and fast. I have no cognitive impairement at all. It is weight friendly for me. The only side effect I might have is a bit of clumsiness, which is no big deal for me.

When I first started Tegretol XR, there was a bit of an adjustment period. I forget exactly my complaints, but maybe a bit of dizziness. I think. I know that I experienced some vision issues. Bouts (not all of the time) of blurry and double vision. That was disconcerting, but fleeting. I'm so extremely happy that I waited the adjustment period out!

I don't remember being tired on Tegretol XR.

I took Depakote for about 1.5 years. It worked at ending my mania, but maybe even worsened the resulting depression. I gained 30 lbs on the combo of Depakote and Invega. All of my blood work became worrisome. I ended up getting ECT (with Depakote temporarily stopped) and it helped. After the ECT I was put back on Depakote and became depressed again. Depakote was clearly also starting to cause me to have PSOV.

[MoodyMountain]

Depakote worked kinda halfway for me, a great relief but still lots of angry mixed episodes. It had bad side effects too, gained 40 lbs., had the runs, slept too much, and messed up my ability to write.

It's still the backup if lithium goes bad on me, and Tegretol doesn't work.

[Pookyl]

I take Depakote (Epilim). I take a subtherapeutic dose to keep the side effects profile low.
Combined with the other stuff I’m on (see below), it seems to work quite well for me. I haven’t had a suicidal thought since commencing the drug last Nov.

I’ve put on weight and my thyroid is stuffed (although that may be genetics) but the pros still outweigh the cons for me.

Anywho, I consciously take Lithium despite my thyroid. Lithium is the only thing that’s controlled my manic episodes.

[DeFyYing]

Originally Posted by HALLIEBETH87

Vraylar has change me life! I feel amazing and no psychosis or paranoia!

I'm glad to hear it! Has it helped with any negative symptoms?

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

I love Tegretol XR and have been on a large dose 1400 mg0 for almost 8 years. For the last 7.5 years I've had virtually no side effects at all. It definitely doesn't make me "stupid". In fact, my thinking is clear and fast. I have no cognitive impairement at all. It is weight friendly for me. The only side effect I might have is a bit of clumsiness, which is no big deal for me.

When I first started Tegretol XR, there was a bit of an adjustment period. I forget exactly my complaints, but maybe a bit of dizziness. I think. I know that I experienced some vision issues. Bouts (not all of the time) of blurry and double vision. That was disconcerting, but fleeting. I'm so extremely happy that I waited the adjustment period out!

I don't remember being tired on Tegretol XR.

I took Depakote for about 1.5 years. It worked at ending my mania, but maybe even worsened the resulting depression. I gained 30 lbs on the combo of Depakote and Invega. All of my blood work became worrisome. I ended up getting ECT (with Depakote temporarily stopped) and it helped. After the ECT I was put back on Depakote and became depressed again. Depakote was clearly also starting to cause me to have PSOV.

Man I'm so glad to hear you had a great experience with Tegretol! Actually makes me excited to try it, and hey if it doesn't work out I guess I'll switch to Depakote again. I'm not sure if like you Depakote worsened my depressive symptoms or if it's just that it wasn't enough to stop it. I was on monotherapy Depakote though so maybe I just needed something to help with my lows. I'd like to try Lamictal again but last time it didn't work at all, even at 200mg. I guess I could've waited longer to try 300mg but I couldn't take it anymore, I was in such a bad mixed episode

Originally Posted by MoodyMountain

Depakote worked kinda halfway for me, a great relief but still lots of angry mixed episodes. It had bad side effects too, gained 40 lbs., had the runs, slept too much, and messed up my ability to write.

It's still the backup if lithium goes bad on me, and Tegretol doesn't work.

It definitely made me sleepy and hungry too, fortunately I'm really underweight so I could use the weight. I wish Lithium didn't go bad on me, besides the thyroid and acne it's an amazing drug.

Originally Posted by Pookyl

I take Depakote (Epilim). I take a subtherapeutic dose to keep the side effects profile low.
Combined with the other stuff I’m on (see below), it seems to work quite well for me. I haven’t had a suicidal thought since commencing the drug last Nov.

I’ve put on weight and my thyroid is stuffed (although that may be genetics) but the pros still outweigh the cons for me.

Anywho, I consciously take Lithium despite my thyroid. Lithium is the only thing that’s controlled my manic episodes.

Yeah Lithium has been the only med to help my bipolar depression, it's a shame it's not gonna work out

[HALLIEBETH87]

I've had no symptoms of anything bad since being on it!

[Unrigged64072835]

Haven't been on Tegreatol but Depakote worsened my depression as well. I also had to have EKGs on a regular basis for prolonged QT heart rhythm.

On the flip side, it's great for getting rid of migraines.

You asked about. Vraylar.... there were a couple recent threads on it (found one back on page 7...catch it while it's atill there, lol). There was another one too, but I couldn't find it. Maybe a search?

I was on it for a month. All went well. (It became unavailable to me, so I tapered off.)

[DeFyYing]

Originally Posted by Innerzone

You asked about. Vraylar.... there were a couple recent threads on it (found one back on page 7...catch it while it's atill there, lol). There was another one too, but I couldn't find it. Maybe a search?

I was on it for a month. All went well. (It became unavailable to me, so I tapered off.)

Thank you! Seems the most common complaints are it being too activating.and difficulty sleeping. I feel like a could use a boost but I hope it doesn't become anxiety, Risperdal did that to me made socializing impossible. Oh and price too ia huge factor, even with a coupon it's gonna be a lot but I told my parents that ill pay for it myself since they dont want to. It's gonna be hard though since im only 18 and still have to find a job

[HALLIEBETH87]

I feel amazing on vraylar !