[peenda]

Hi -

new here and all that. just wondering what is considered the best for rapid cycling BP II. and if there is such a thing as best.

currently on lamictal. and should I say I am cycling away......

-p

[bptoo]

Hi peenda, welcome to the forums.

I'm BP II also and my psychiatrist thinks that the rapid cycling and mania part of the disorder is best treated with an anti-psychotic. I take a low-dose of Olanzapine (Zyprexa), 2.5mgs. It's really been a miracle for me. I've been on it for about two years and it's kept my symptoms pretty well under control. The catch to Zyprexa is that it carries the infamous weight gain with it... You really have to be dilligent with your eating habits (especially watch carbs) and get a lot of exercise. He also likes to have his BP patients on a mood stabilizer with it too. I take Topamax (200mgs daily) which also helps you to lose weight, so it works out pretty well. You might talk to your doc to see what he/she thinks about this as an option. I've listed some anti-psychotics and some mood stabilizers below, I hope they help you out.

Good luck,
bptoo

Anti-Psychotics

Geodon (Ziprasidone)
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Clozapine (Clozaril)
Flupenthioxol (Fluanxol)
Haloperidol (Haldol)
Loxapine (Loxitane)
Mesoridazine (Serentil)
Perphenazine (Trilafon)
Pimozide (Orap)
Pipotiazine (Piportil)
Prochlorperazine (Compazine)
Risperidone (Risperdal)
Sulpiride
Thioridazine (Mellaril)
Thiothixene (Navane)
Trifluoperazine (Stelazine)

Mood Stabilizers

Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Divalproex Sodiom (Depakote, Depakene,
Valproate, Valproic Acid)
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
Lithium
Topamax (Topirimate)

"A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart."

[peenda]

Hi -

thanks for the reply, boy, you listed more meds than I was aware of and I thought I was just so good at pulling up info.

Guess it pays to post!

I've heard the good and the bad about zyprexa...mostly concerning the weight gain. a friend of mine is on it and she goes up and down with her weight. I am pretty good with my eating habits and exercise...i am a muncher, mostly good stuff with the occasional greasy chips... hate full meals and hit the gym almost every day. so maybe this work.

wish me luck cuz yesterday I was the scum of the earth and today I am the sexiest thing to have walked the planet :-)

gotta admit there is a fun side to this but, well, don't get that much accomplished.

peenda

[darkeyes]

Bptoo may have forgot one that I've been on for a short time which is good too, Lamictal, I've been taking that plus Lithium and so far the combo has been great It is easy to have "forgotten" one cause there is so many out there compared to years ago fortunately, with much hope in the future they"ll come up with a close to perfect medication that does not carry that "damn" side effect of weight gain, ha!ha!
I wish you lots of luck and feel free to post here anytime
"darkeyes"

[peenda]

Hi bptoo...

I am off the lamictal now and supposed to see the doc in mid decemeber. I have heard the lamictal and lithium combo was a good one. I have a feeling I just didn't communicate with the doc well enough concerning my moods, I didn't understand them enough then, maybe we would've come up with a better plan.

So - just keepin' sane till then!

- p