ANY SSRIs for bipolar depression?

Hi. This kind of goes along with a previous post I made, but I'm wondering if any of you take SSRIs for bipolar depression, and what has been your experience? My psychiatrist says they are a no-no, but I'm just wondering about any other options I might have right now. Thanks.

I'm obviously not a doctor, but I wouldn't generalize and call them a "no-no." Antidepressants work for some, while for others they induce mania or whatever. Plus, with a high enough antipsychotic dosage, sometimes that is enough to counteract the "mania inducement" that could occur from an antidepressant. But of course, these effects are all individual dependent. The only way to know if you get side effects is to try, but if you're stable now, I don't think there is any need to try (but that's just my opinion). Even then, as a non dr., I think there are plenty of options besides antidepressants that you can try first.

That said, I'm fine on LExapro.

Not an SSRI, but apparently Wellbutrin has the lowest chance of inducing mania of any antidepressant. Definitely pulled me out of depression, but it's very stimulating

BPII. On citalopram.

I'm on Wellbutrin. It's susposedly the only ssri that has no sexual side effects. I still have mood swings but no depression.

I replied to your other post. I am on Wellbutrin now.

But I have taken Effexor in the past. And it has helped with the depression though if on it long enough, I've had it steer me towards hypomania (but I'm talking 6 months to a year on it).

Wellbutrin & Effexor tend to be the ADs that work best for me. Pdocs tend to steer more for the Wellbutrin as Effexor is a difficult med to stop.

Good to know. This was something I told my pdoc I wanted.

Paxil. The big bad wolf, that will explode your tyroid and liquify your kidneys.
Works very well for me.
I should have taken it three years ago. When my shrinkette suggested it.

Ah, but no. I ingested the comments of the "experts" in the 'net.
Terrible med!. They said. And I believe it. Like the fool I am.
Serves me well. I lost three years of my life because of them.
And I don't have many to lose @ 68.
Bunch of arrrssollss!!!.

—-I agree. This is a very complicated issue. Wellbutrin is one of the best for really goosing you out of depression. But I was having problems w hypomania. So what I am doing right now is that I take 75 mils daily, (you don’t want to get withdrawal symptoms pdoc told me, so I don’t ever skip it) but double it to 150mg when I feel depressive. This works pretty well. Sounds like you might be type 3 like I am, mixed states, so read up on that. Hugs.

I was on Wellbutrin for years, up to 300 mg, but it pooped out on me and is no longer working. My psych took me off of it, because she said there was no reason to keep taking it. I see her on the 26th. I really hope she can do something. I'm taking a mood stabilizer (Lamictal). I'm wondering if adding Lithium and Effexor might help. I'm looking forward to talking to her.

I take zoloft. Lithium stops me from going manic on it. No side effects from zoloft except heartburn if I dont take it early evening with food.