Posted by Ron Hill on August 25, 2001, at 16:43:52
In reply to Bipolar II, Caffeine, Nicotine, THC, posted by rosieshepherd on August 23, 2001, at 9:10:51
Rosie,
I also am BP II. For me it was very important to have a mood stablizer (e.g. depakote, Li, etc) fully in place prior to starting an antidepressant otherwise the AD pushes me into mania.
Do you think you use the caffiene, nicotine, and THC to self-medicate? I self-medicated for years without being cognitive of what I was actually doing.
Who knows what long term effects these substances may or may not have on the disorder itself. And I personally don't know what drug interactions these substances have with medication. However, my opinion is that your pdoc will be more successful in finding the right med combo for you if you minimize the amount of non-prescription psychoactive substances taken.
My 2 cents worth. Best Wishes!
-- Ron
----------------------------------------> I have been diagnosed with Bipolar II and I am addicted to all of the above. I drink coffee and mountain dew alot, I smoke about a pack a day of cigarettes, and I smoke about a joint a day. I am also taking Zoloft right now, 50 mgs at night. I am about to start taking depakote as soon as my daughter is weaned from the last nursing. I am not looking for critisism of me or my choices. I am here looking for some help. Does caffeine, nicotine, and thc, have any effect on the bipolar? Do any of them react to zoloft or depakote? I need to get my moods stabilized, but i don't want to hurt myself you know.Thanks for any help or advice that you can offer.
poster:Ron Hill
thread:76104
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010822/msgs/76380.html