Posted by jodie on January 21, 2003, at 19:03:55
In reply to Is Dilantin (phenytoin) a mood stabilizer/A.D. ???, posted by 3 Beer Effect on January 21, 2003, at 17:13:16
> My psychiatrist is not sure if I am Bipolar II or ADHD. I have manic-type hyperactive behavior from alcohol, & find it stimulating even in near lethal amounts such as BAC .30 (I don't drink anymore). The only other med that has ever made me manic was Zoloft & only at 100 mg (50mg made me sleepy). Right now I take Paxil CR 50 mg/day + Wellbutrin SR 300mg/day, neither of which make me manic. I have also been on Dextrostat (d-amphetamine) 40 mg/day, the benzo Klonopin 2-4 mg/day, & a long time ago Ritalin 40 mg/day. Have also tried various A.D.'s such as Celexa, Remeron 45 mg, Effexor XR, none of which worked very well or caused too much drowsiness (Remeron).
>
> As for mood-stablilizers, I have already tried Lamictal & stopped at 200 mg due to lack of efficacy & teenager-like acne. Neurontin @ 900 mg mostly made me tired/lethargic. I was reading about Lithium & how it corrects both depression or mania while most of the other mood stablizers only calm mania & do little for depression. It sounds like Lithium is almost like ElectroShock Therapy in that whatever your problem- too much or too little of 5-HT, NE, DA, both EST & Lithium return those to NORMAL. The only problem is the side effects of Lithium sound pretty bad.
>
> I noticed Dilantin (phenytoin) like most of the mood stablizers is an anti-convulsant & is said by some to have anti-depressant qualities so I am wondering if it is used as a Lithium-like anti-depressant/mood stablizer with less side effects than Lithium?
>
> Thanks,
> 3 Beers.Hi!!!
I was diagnosed as having bipolar disorder over a year ago. I tried different mood stabalizers, lithium, depakote. I am now being diagnosed as having ADD instead.
I have had problems with seizures in the past. I was on Dilantin for 3 years. I started taking it when I was 18, and stopped when I was 21. I gained weight on Dilantin, my gums would bleed very easily, and I became VERY moody, and lethargic. I felt like I was on a roller coaster the entire time I took it. Family and friends told me (after I stopped taking it) that I wasn't myself while on it. I am 26 now. I had a seizure a while back, the first one in years. I take Klonopin for seizure control, prevention. I also become agitated very easily, and have anxiety, panic attacks, so it helps with that too. I personally haven't heard anyone who takes dilantin as a mood stabilizer. I do know it can cause mood swings. When I was taking dilantin, I had a major deppresive episode for the first time in my life. Others may find dilantin helps them, but I could not stand the stuff!!!! I also took a very high dose because I was having seizures often, so I'm sure that plays a role in how it made me feel.
Jodie
poster:jodie
thread:136914
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030119/msgs/136939.html