Posted by jay on October 29, 2002, at 2:01:50
In reply to Re: Jay--Add Antidepressant to Mood stabilizer?, posted by ROO on October 28, 2002, at 17:26:47
Haha..thanks for the compliment..even though I look like Bucky the Beaver..hehee. ;-)I am very glad I can help...and with my years of experimentation, I think there is a fair amount of hope. My pdoc say's "If it act's like depression..treat it." In this case, a mood stabilizer increases your depression, and an antidepressant will likely very well stop it. In fact, I have had even better luck with two mood stabilizers and an antidepressant. But, I don't know if your doctor will go with that. You may want to add Depakote to the Topomax, and add the best antidepressant you have tried. (The one you had *some* response to.) This is actually a method I read by a doctor on the internet...and his site was posted here before.
As I also said...a benzo for the short term can really help in the transition. I find that antidepressants in *anybody* need to be balanced out, and a mood stabilizer seems to do that. The atypical antipsychotics also seem to do this, but I don't know if you are comfortable with going that route. It's going to take some experimentation with your doctor, so I hope he/she is open to it. If not, you should find another one.
BTW..I *know* how depressing a mood stabilizer, and even Topomax, can be. I found myself in an even deeper depression then ever when just using a mood stabilizer.
I *firmly* believe you have a good chance at striking a balance away from the depression and any anxiety of even manic symptoms. It seems to lie in that middle point between the antidepressants and mood stabilizers. Get back to your doc ASAP, and I will even put my word on the worthiness of trying this. Any more questions..please let me/us know!
Best wishes,
Jay :-)> Thanks Jay--that was helpful (and hopeful)...
>
> What do you take? I'm taking topamax right now...that's
> it....have been avoiding taking an AD, but may just add one on
> because obviously it's not taking care of the depression end enough,
> although it has stabilized me quite a bit for which I am thankful.
> Tell me about your experience....and thanks for responding :-)
> (cute pic on yahoo by the way :-) )
>
> Roo
poster:jay
thread:125571
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021025/msgs/125630.html