[LonesomeTonight]

So I've been on a low dose of Trileptal (75 mg--working up to 150 or maybe 300) for about 3 weeks to see if it would help me since my p-doc thinks I could possibly have bipolar II. I'm also on 100 mg of Zoloft. I know that's a really low dose for the Trileptal, but I'm really sensitive to meds, and the 75 made me really sleepy for the first 2 weeks. Like, "I need to take a nap right now!" sleepy.

The sleepiness is getting a bit better, but I learned some upsetting news early last week (death of the spouse of someone I know professionally) and was a total wreck about that. And I've been pretty depressed ever since then. I've had some panic attacks, too (I do have panic disorder). I'm just wondering if the Trileptal could be contributing to this? It's not that I'm just sad about what happened, but feeling badly about myself, too.

Will probably contact p-doc tomorrow (even though I just saw her last week) because I also had some weird physical symptoms that I think are from Trileptal, like chills (no fever), insomnia, and a general fuzzy-headed feeling. But wondering if it caused any increased depression in anyone?

[*Laurie*]

Hi LT, Hmmm. I feel very bad for you. I am on 900 mg/day of Trileptal. It takes the edge off my anxiety, I think. I don't seem to feel any more or less depressed from it. But that's just me. I take 200 mg of Zoloft...I don't think it's helping me, really. It did help me years ago.

[ofthevalley]

I always feel more depressed as I switch to a new antidepressant. It takes a couple weeks to adjust.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by ofthevalley

I always feel more depressed as I switch to a new antidepressant. It takes a couple weeks to adjust.

Trileptal is not an anti-d. It's an anti-seizure med sometimes used as a mood stabilizer.

[ofthevalley]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

Trileptal is not an anti-d. It's an anti-seizure med sometimes used as a mood stabilizer.

Sorry. ..

[LonesomeTonight]

Thanks for the replies.

Quick update that I talked to my T about it yesterday and e-mailed my p-doc about it this morning. She (p-doc) suggested I try stopping the Trileptal now and let her know how I'm feeling early next week. So sounds like she thinks there could be a connection (or that it's at least worth checking into).

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by LonesomeTonight

Thanks for the replies.

Quick update that I talked to my T about it yesterday and e-mailed my p-doc about it this morning. She (p-doc) suggested I try stopping the Trileptal now and let her know how I'm feeling early next week. So sounds like she thinks there could be a connection (or that it's at least worth checking into).

Interesting. Thanks for the update.

[nataliepatricia6183]

I started taking trileptal 2 weeks ago 600mg twice a day
At first I felt great but starting last week it didn't seem like it was even working that well
I've heard for trileptal you may need higher doses for effectiveness even up to 1800 or 2400 mg a day it's not as potent as it's cousin tegretol but good if u can't stand side effects of other Meds
You also may consider that trileptal is lowering the effectiveness of your Zoloft
I found out that trileptal makes my trazodone less effective so I had to up my dose
But you'd have to find out from a doctor or pharmacist