Mood Stabilizers

I was wondering if someone could help with finding out about mood stabalizers. I'm on lithium right now but my levels are up and down depending on dosage but it hasn't been exactly right. I know I've also been on depakote for a year or something, and lamictal for a little while. Anyone on one they like? I would prefer one of course that's not to pile weight on because I've really gotten big over several years from med stuff. Prompt replies are very much appreciated as I should talk to my pdoc tomorrow. Thanks, Danielle

Hi Danielle,
You could talk to your doctor about carbamazepine (Tegretol) as an option.
Nick

Ask about Neurontin (gabapentin.) Nonaddictive, non-weight adding, very few, if any side effects. Also, works great for anxiety.

Best,
Okie

Also Topamax, which typically leads to weight loss (average of about 30 lbs, IIRC), and Abilify, which apparently causes weight loss in some people, or is at least weight-neutral.

I'm on 15 mg/Abilify a day and love it! I did lose about 10 lbs at first, but now my weight is stabilized. At least I'm not gaining like I did on Depakote, Zyprexa and Seroquel.

Have to agree with Okiedokie that Neurontin is great for anxiety and has few (or no) side-effects, but it doesn't work well as a mood stabilizer for many people and isn't prescribed for that as much as for anxiety these days, or so says my pdoc.

Topamax sounds like a good one to try. I need a good mood stabilizer. Not sure he'll wanna change it. But my reasoning would be it's never right level; either low or high. I def could stand to lose some weight as I have really piled on almost a whole other small person since started on varioius meds 4 years ago or whatever. I've been on depakote, that stopped working or something; I'm not sure why or what happened. and if topamax is better than neurontin that's more important to me because I need a good mood stabilizer because I get agitated and rapid cycling a lot. My pdoc I think may have considered it before but, something about my insurance wouldn't pay for it I believe I remember that. If u can add more to what I've just said that's great too. Thanks, Danielle

I take topomax 800mg/ day for my mood stabilizer, it also helps with racing thoughts. iy took awhile to get up to 800mg/day. i also have a great doc. i was on lithium and it put 100lds on me. i just got diagnosed with adult ADD along with my bipolar, PTSD, PAD, they started me on adderral 20 mg 3x/day and i lost 40lbs in a month.
i also take klonopin 2mg 2x/day, geodon 80 mg 2x/ day and remeron 45 mg @ night and i'm doing the best i have in years.
good luck! Jocelyn

Wow good for you! Yea I def wanna talk to my pdoc when he gets back next week about topamax but he may say my levels of lithium or fine I dunno. In that case I don't see why he would change it. Just gotta figure out if topamax would be something affordable is the bottom line I guess.

The decision should be yours and your pdoc's jointly, not just his alone.

Be sure to tell him the reasons you want to try something different. I've found that if I reason with my pdoc, he's willing to let me try anything he isn't absolutely, clinically opposed to. I know some are more paternalistic than that, but it's your body and mind on the line. You have the power to insist on changing to something more tolerable.

Hi,

I'm currently taking Abilify and although it was a rough start, things have smoothed out now. I felt calmer after 3 days of taking it and the side effects diminished two weeks after starting it. As a side note, Abilify is supposed to be weight neutral and so far I haven't gained anything on it. I'm very happy with the results.

I take lamictal ( a mood stabilizer) and abilify (antipsychotic). I think the lamicatal has helped even out my moods. I have not had problems with side effects from either drug. No weight gain, sex problems or anything. Good luck.

I take lamictal, depakote and lithium. The front door is open and the weight is rushing in!!!

I take Lamictal 50mg in am along with .50 mg Xanax , Invega 6mg. in pm and 1 mg of Xanax, seems to work so far!