over to our new WebMD Message Boards to check out and participate in the great I went to my primary doctor today, told him I … This group includes Zyprexa, Tegretol, Trileptal, older antipsychotics like Haldol, or Clozaril. Bad medicine stay clearI have been on Depakote ever since I was diagnosed (finally) with bi-polar disorder. On 1000 MG per day I am (or have been somewhat stabilized, which leaves me somewhat hypo manic which seems to be the best level for me.

The evidence for Mirapex’s effectiveness in bipolar depression is growing and its low incidence of weight gain or sexual side effects merits its use. If you’re already on another anti-manic medicine, Lamictal is added to it. I skip over Seroquel, olanzapine with Prozac, lithium, Depakote, and typical antidepressants because of such frequent problems with weight gain, metabolic risks, sexual side effects, or weak scientific evidence. Common I have been on Depakote since I was diagnosed, but it doesn't seem to be doing anything, and for some reason it reaches toxic levels very quickly for me. He also maintains a private prac...There are some people who can't or won't understand at all. Note in graphic Divalproex ER is the same as Divalproex SA in the text . During a December admission for a severe manic/psychotic episode my longtime psychiatrist switched my Depakote to lamictal. abdominal pain, asthenia, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, and anorexia. Thinking of switching from Depakote to Lithium, anyone have a similar experience? Five studies have demonstrated that lithium is superior to placebo (176-180). Hopefully switching these meds help a little because I am very worried about my current state.I am on 300mg of Lithium 2 at night.

It is now March (Pesach is almost here!) When Treating Epilepsy And Manic Episodes Associated With Bipolar Disorder** The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. Psychiatrists have extensive training and experience with the most recent advances for more effective and safer medicines to treat bipolar depression episodes and to prevent recurrences. Finally comes trials of combinations of the above medicines with medicines that have less evidence of effectiveness in research.

Personally it makes me feel dead inside. Lithium took effect almost immediately I love it. Many patients find it very helpful and informative to attend the bipolar self-help groups as well.Bipolar depression patients spend much more time struggling with depression than with mania or hypomania. Medication orders with an enteral route of administration are eligible for this interchange. I am currently on 1000 MG per day, but have taken as high as 2000 MG per day. It is now March (Pesach is almost here!) For the 2 years or so when I was on 2000 per day I was also taking 40 MG per day of Paxil.

and I have had no manic or psychotic episodes since the switch. You want to continue in monotherapy, but you're going to switch to an anticonvulsant such as valproate. Usually I will start with Lamictal alone. Please head on And if the patient has a predominantly dysphoric, irritable, non-euphoric mania, lithium ranks low for effectiveness in this population.Finally, here is the way I usually handle a bipolar depression. I had fever, sweats, chills, and the shakes.... None of it was fun. He came in today asking to switch to Lithium 450 mgs CR 3 times a day. The major differences are two. First 2 months on it had significant hair loss but don't experience it anymore. Going to see doctor tomorrow). It's certainly possible its addition to lithium and risperidone (ie two potent antimanic drugs) is somehow creating greater overall mood stability, but it's not an outcome I'd so likely expect. I currently take 900 mg of lithium, 200 mg of lamictal, and 6 mg of Risperdal daily. Lithium may be used to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder; however, there is a fine line between too much and too little and ongoing monitoring is needed to prevent lithium... Bipolar depression responds less often and less completely to treatment than none polar depression. I genuinely feel like my episodes are stabilizing, for which I, my employer, and my psychiatrist are quite pleased about. You are more likely to respond to a medicine that helped a close blood relative.Now I’ll talk more about which medicines are chosen for which phase. Depakote (divalproex) is good for long-term prevention of seizures, manic episodes in bipolar disorder, and migraines. I often add Lamictal early to help with the depression symptoms. They have been shown to increase mood instability over longer studies. The more potent, rapidly acting medicines tend to have a higher risk of side effects. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. Depakote may be used in the treatment of epilepsy, mania, and to prevent migraines; however, people taking Depakote should be monitored for potentially fatal side effects such as liver failure and... Currently, not only is there abundant evidence suggesting the efficacy of antipsychotics in acute mania, particularly for their fast onset effect (Nivoli et al., 2011b, 2013; Yildiz et al., 2011; Goikolea et al., 2013; Vieta and Valentí, 2013a), but antipsychotics are also a we… Was not fun.I've had extremely bad reactions to prozac in the past, and I'm worried that the zoloft is triggering the same reaction at a much slower pace(i've been on it for two weeks, prozac only took about 3 days to fling me into a dangerous state of mind). Additionally, studies have shown that only about 20% of bipolar patients benefit from typical antidepressants without adverse mood consequences.If Lamictal does not sufficiently relieved the depression or causes side effects, I will often go to Mirapex next.