[angel04]

I'm bipolar 2 and lithium made my downs deeper and depakote just made me fat. What's left for bipolar when you're mostly depressed and your manic episodes only consist of a week or so of supreme pissed-offness and nothing fun.
What else is there that I can try that will control the depression cuz that's really all I need help with. I'll meditate or something to control the agitation and irritablility. If only I could get rid of the depressive episodes. They seem to last forever and the manic only lasts for a miniscule amount of time.
Got anxiety too but I take a benzo for that.
any ideas....anyone???
thanks
angel

"man's belief that he is the only intelligent being has not done him good" JRR Tolkien

[(JD)]

Just thinking... and wanted you to know I'm not ignoring you.

I think depakote requires a watchful eye on food intake... or you can eat more than you really need and gain weight.

Don't these drugs require a lot of time to find YOUR level? It isn't easy, I'm sure.

A note of encouragment though, I know a medical doctor who takes depakote and is quite functional.... good wishes.

<font color=blue> meditation is a true way to connect to the Source </font color=blue>

[darkeyes]

Lamictal is a good alternative, I loved Lithium for "calming" the inner rage (that had been provoked from a family member, long story) but in time after I chilled out, the AD's(Celexa) konkedd out so the pdoc suggested Lamictal, another mood stabilizer but with great anti-depressant qualities, and non-drowsy too
Yeah, Depakote made me fat and fatigued, hair thinned, after falling asleep at the wheel twice, my present pdoc said I should switch, I asked for Lithium, my brother has been on it for over 33 years, he is Bipolar-I, he has done great, my pdoc put me on Lithobid, it was great, less weight gain than the Depakote and no fatigue, at the same time he still continued with Celaxa for the depression, but after being on different ones of that kind, it konked out.
So he had me switch to Lamictal (Lamotrogine) which you must titrate slowly, and the fatal rash they speak of that some can get as a reaction, occurs in asuch a minute amount of people, and it is rare, so do not be afraid of that, you make get slight skin reaction, it goes away, but a HUGE population do not suffer from any side effects, the best one is I finally felt good, and have continued to, and the big AND is that while on this med I have endured some major life occurences and I haven't had any episodes of hypomania or depression, the slight depression I have is due to family issues, there is no med that can change things like that.
Hate to sound like a med sales person, but for Bipolar-II's that tend to have more depressive swings, this med is terrific!!
And no monthly blood tests either
Ask your pdoc about it, there is loads of info about it in pdoc journals, the internet and by the manufacturer, not to mention in all the books about Bipolar Illness.
So far it is the best med that I have ever taken for this stuff.
I wish youluck with this, take care now.

DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

[PlanningtoLive]

DE,

I used the Lamictal and I am one of those "other people". I watched the rash come out on my arm within 15 minutes. Then it spread everywhere. It was soooooo horrible. They had to put me on antihistamines and then switched me to Depakote.

First it was 750mg, now I'm up to the ER, 500mg. twice a day. My other pdoc has also put me on Geodon, 20mg. twice a day and still taking the Neurontin and the Lexapro. I feel like a pharmacy.

Had a very bad episode a few days ago, walked off the job - very much NOT me and got so hyper I couldn't breathe again.

This bipolar II stuff is so new to me that I'm having troubles adjusting to it plus the BPD.

xoxoxoxxoxo

[darkeyes]

Sorry to hear you are having this happen to you, just don't give up hope and be sure to constantly keep your pdoc informed about any negative side effects, I stress to anyone taking meds. and I also stress to people do not ever feel that by doing so you may be a nuisance to them, they are there to help you and follow up with whatever meds they prescribe, if any pdoc or docs anyone has that reacts this way then they are not worth sticking with, there are plenty of other pdocs/docs out there. The patient's well being is and should be priority always.
I wish you lots of luck with all of this, please take care.

DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

[angel04]

thanks for the great info and positive remarks DE. I appreciate it very much. The really crappy part is that I don't have a drug plan anymore since my husband left me and meds are just too expensive for me. I work in retail and the pay sucks. It's all I can do to keep my head above water so any new meds have had to take a backseat to food and shelter.
I'll talk to my GP about lamictal though.
thanks again
Angel

" I'm not broken, and I dream MY way......."
my friend Jamie P

[darkeyes]

I am sorry to hear about no drug plan, I remember what that was like, and when my dad lost his plan, my parents were spending all their income on meds, so I know it sucks. I do not know where you live, but some companies that manufacture many meds have various kind of plans, some if proper papers are filled out by your doc and you will give them for free, some companies I can think of off hand are Pfizer, Lilly, Glaxo and Aventis, I am sure there are others, check with your doc or go on the internet and look under the manufacturers websites. I wish you lots of luck, this can be a real pain, seems unfair sometimes too

DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

[darkeyes]

Yeah, all meds affect everyone differently, some do well while others may have bad reactions, it helps though when you get a pdoc that will push to keep finding the right one for that patient's individual needs, with least amount of side effects.
I hope all will be going right for you and all the people that have to deal with this stuff.
I send (((((((((((( hugs )))))))))))))))) to all of you out there

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

[cthonica]

you could try Wellbutrin for the depression -- I think it is less likely to trigger manic episodes than the ssris and other options.

A mood stabilizer that doesn't cause weight gain is Topamax.