[helloiamjim]

The new psych I went to said I don't need an anti-depressant because it can trigger mania. He said lamotrogine should take care of both mania and depression.

In the past, my doctors have always prescribed an anti-depressant (usually buproprion) to keep me out of and treat depression. I tend to be more depressed than manic.

It would really be great to have one less med to take.

Does anyone successfully avoid depression even though you're not on an AD? If so, what do you attribute this to?

[Yaowen]

Dear helloiamjim,

Since I suffer unipolar rather than bipolar depression, I am completely in the dark regarding your question. I hope those who struggle with bipolar will see and respond to you post with helpful words. I think in a matter of medical importance, it can sometimes be helpful to seek a second medical opinion. I have done this before and sometimes the second medical opinion reinforces the advice of the first physician. But since I am not a physician or medical professional I cannot offer any advice that you or others could or should rely upon. I sure hope you find what leads to the best medical outcome for you!

[Miss Laura]

I haven't had an Anti-depressant in 10 years. I was on them 11 years ago and we found them to make me manic. Unfortunately I still get depressed but mostly its mild depression. Until last year that was a severe depression I was suicidal. I hadn't been like that in 8 years. I just had to ride it out myself (which isn't easy) I also got extra support from my Psychiatrist and CPN (Community Psychiatric Nurse) and Therapist. They refuse to give me Anti-depressants just incase I go manic its hard as riding it out is really difficult

[lightly toasted]

I take seroquel only. It does not solve my depression, but it is less impactful than without seroquel.

In the past anti-depressants have caused a ****-show of rapid cyling and hypomania, but I'm thinking of asking for one again after many years without. My depression while not as devestating as before seroquel it is chronic companion that I have to live with. I'm questioning if there could be relief from it instead of just living with it, and coping my best.

I'm not sure if that's helpful at all, but that's my experience.

[helloiamjim]

Originally Posted by Yaowen

Dear helloiamjim,

Since I suffer unipolar rather than bipolar depression, I am completely in the dark regarding your question. I hope those who struggle with bipolar will see and respond to you post with helpful words. I think in a matter of medical importance, it can sometimes be helpful to seek a second medical opinion. I have done this before and sometimes the second medical opinion reinforces the advice of the first physician. But since I am not a physician or medical professional I cannot offer any advice that you or others could or should rely upon. I sure hope you find what leads to the best medical outcome for you!

You're right, Yaowen. I'm seeing a second psych soon to get another opinion. Thanks so much for your thoughts .

[Soupe du jour]

I haven't been on an antidepressant for at least 8 years or more. Going off them (even while also taking an antipsychotic and moodstabilizer) was the secret for ending my string of multiple hospitalizations. They were very destabilizing for me. Not just mania, but especially mixed episodes, and eventually my worst depression of my life. I was only able to finally start recovering once the antidepressants were cut out.

I am not saying antidepressants are useless for people with bipolar disorder. I'm just saying they were dangerous for me. That included buproprione.

[*Beth*]

2 years ago in late November I plunged into a severe depression. It followed the worst mania I had ever experienced, a very dysphoric mania that I ended up IP for.

I fell down so hard that I went to my pdoc appointment and told her I wanted to start ECT. I was ready to start that day, that hour.

She said we could definitely check into ECT, but was I willing to try an AD? I said that yes, I would. She prescribed Pristiq. In 2 days the depression began to lessen, in a week I was pretty stable, or at least a mild mixed state.

Lamictal has never helped my depression, nor have AP's. Trilafon (AP) helps the severe anxiety that tends to be a part of depression for me, or maybe part of a mixed state.

So I take 75mg of Pristiq and it's still working out okay.

[Crazy Hitch]

I don’t know if I’ll ever take AD ever again in my life. I was on AD when I went totally and utterly psychotic, made an arse of myself at work, told my boss I was BP at 1:00am in an email. Ughhhhhh. Ughhhhhh.

I’m on lamotragine and rexulti.

In having said that I haven’t experienced a depressive episode since I had to abruptly stop AD two months ago so here’s hoping!

[quietlylost]

You can be treated for Bipolar without the use of an antidepressant. If you are on an antidepressant, usually the doctors want to have you on a mood stabilizer (i.e. Lithium, Depakote, Lamictal) as well to help counteract the risk of mania. From what I know from the research, antidepressants don't necessarily trigger manic episodes for most people, they just make it easier to flip into them if the conditions are right. So, doctors are often hesitant to use them.

Lamictal can indeed help with depression. Other mood stabilizers can as well. If you're still feeling depression on your mood stabilizer, your doctor could consider augmenting with an antipsychotic as well.

I was on Lamictal but still feeling depressed. We tried adding Wellutrin but it was ineffective. We then switched to Latuda (an antipsychotic) and it was a dramatic benefit.

[neverending]

I actually do have to be on an antidepressant along with my other meds. We keep it at a low dose. If I swing into depression pdoc ups the dose. If I later swing into hypomania pdoc cuts the dose. Hopefully after this last set of swings I will get back to stability again. I know what set the pattern off and hope it is somewhat under control now.

I have gone through most of the ADs and am back on Zoloft. Started that in March and hopefully it will be a few years before it gets changed again.

[helloiamjim]

Originally Posted by Soupe du jour

I haven't been on an antidepressant for at least 8 years or more. Going off them (even while also taking an antipsychotic and moodstabilizer) was the secret for ending my string of multiple hospitalizations. They were very destabilizing for me. Not just mania, but especially mixed episodes, and eventually my worst depression of my life. I was only able to finally start recovering once the antidepressants were cut out.

I am not saying antidepressants are useless for people with bipolar disorder. I'm just saying they were dangerous for me. That included buproprione.

Good thing that you figured that out. Interesting that ADs were the problem. I'm sorry you went through that.

[helloiamjim]

Originally Posted by Crazy Hitch

I don’t know if I’ll ever take AD ever again in my life. I was on AD when I went totally and utterly psychotic, made an arse of myself at work, told my boss I was BP at 1:00am in an email. Ughhhhhh. Ughhhhhh.

I’m on lamotragine and rexulti.

In having said that I haven’t experienced a depressive episode since I had to abruptly stop AD two months ago so here’s hoping!

That sounds awful. Sending emails late at night when I'm feeling stressed or uneven gets me into trouble too.

[Crazy Hitch]

Originally Posted by helloiamjim

That sounds awful. Sending emails late at night when I'm feeling stressed or uneven gets me into trouble too.

Phew I’m glad I’m not the only one

[MuddyBoots]

I’m another one who can’t take antidepressants. Nothing at best, mania/mixed episodes at worst. I was put on prozac earlier this year and within a month I was hospitalized for mania. Not the first time an antidepressant made my symptoms worse either

[WildcatVet]

I'm Bipolar 1 and can't take SSRI's or SNRI's because they make me manic. I'm doing well on bupropion and I know I'll be taking it for life along with my other medications because I've tried going off them twice and ended up hospitalized both times.
I have no problem taking my meds so for me they're the answer and I know I can't do without them.