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autumn2night
Full Member (100+ posts)

175 Posts
Gratitude: 4

Posted - 06/20/2005 : 12:02:50

Dr. Long,

With Lithium I gained a lot of weight, constantly was thirsty and enjoyed reading women and even had time to read men's periodicals at the physicians office while waiting to have my lithium levels checked. There were moments that I felt I had done something terribly wrong to deserve this illness - while having needles poked in my veins. I have extremely fair skin and was constantly reminded of the appointments.

I guess the Lithium didn't work after a while and we went on to try several different medications. I think you have to take in the human element as well when you start with the Lithium regimen.

What are your thoughts on the Sunlamps for depression?

Duffy

aquamarine
Amazing Member (1000+ posts)

1238 Posts
Gratitude: 300
Very caring

Posted - 06/20/2005 : 12:55:48

Hi Dr. Long (I originall posted these questions under the place you originally posted the Flupethixol info),

Thanks for posting the info about an example of the combo of medications you prescribe to your patients with treatment depression. I just have a couple questions about the antipsychotic you were talking about...just looking for info...not advice:

Flupenthixol(Typical Antipsycotic):

The info on the board re: Flupenthixol says:

1) "...[I]s not recommended for "excitable, overactive or manic patients, and the relative lack of sedating effect may cause restlessness and insomnia". What is the is the propensity for the med to cause such patients to become restless and have insomnia

2) "The possibility of the development of irreversible dyskinesia should be borne in mind when patients are on prolonged therapy." Couple questions:
What percentage of patients get TD on this med?
Is it used as a maintenance medication?
Do the % of patients getting TD increase if it is used long term?

3) Would a patient who could not manage the side effects of the atypical antipsychotics, (eg. sedation, flattening of emotions, dullness, lack of sexual desire, extreme fatigue), choose to use this medication when the newer antipsychotics boast of having less side effects?

Thanks,
...Aqua

fastyellowsaab
Starting Member

2 Posts

Posted - 10/15/2005 : 09:06:33

quote:
Originally posted by aquamarine

While my "official" diagnosis is MDD, I have more in common with BP mood experiences than the pure depressive experiences. I rapid cycle between major depression and just below hypomania (I question that I do not have full hypomanic episodes). To me my experiences mirror the experiences of people I see on the BP Discussion board...I believe there is a continuum or spectrum of types/levels of BP beyond the "official" types. That said, my biggest problem is treatment resistent depression...I love my "highs".

My depression has remained totally untreatable by every anti-depressant, antipsychotic, anti-convulsant I tried. In fact, I believe much of the rapid cycling I encountered was triggered by some of them. Finally, 24 meds, 7 ECT treatments and twice weekly therapy for 3.5 years later I seemed to be having some success with Epival (Depakote)...it has calmed my anxiety, moodswings and irritability and I finally can sleep. Some days it seems to help with my depression...but not consistently.

Problem is I was having cognitive problems, depersonalization problems and extreme fatigue on 1000 and 750mgs. So my pdoc has suggested I take it down to 500mgs and maybe augment with olanzapine. I have had bad experiences with risperdal and seroquel...could barely move on either and am really afraid of gaining weight as I have worked so hard to lose what I did gain before. I would rather try something else.

I tried Lamotrigine and loved its side effect profile for me...but it only seemed to help my depression a tiny bit, for a very short while. I am wondering 2 things:

Do you think I might have more success with Lamotrigine and my depression now that the Epival is helping me with some of my other symptoms?

Do you think I could use Lamotrigine to maintain my mood if I ever get it up to the level I want it to be.
Thanks
...Aquamarine

I have found good results with Lamotrigine at
200mg/day,, still think zyprexa has it over the others, and am now starting on Duloxitine as Effexor worked well for a long time on the particular neurotransmitters that are problematic for me,, and Duloxitine ''seems'' to be working in much the same way and the problems associated with running on a max dose of Effexor have subsided..
One hour at a time....
David

daniel.kuntz
Starting Member

1 Posts

Posted - 02/05/2006 : 13:53:25

I have been on and off depression medications for about six years now and nothing seems to have helped, except the Lamictal I was put on last summer (2005). It has done wonders for me and it is the first medication I have tried that has helped my depression. But I get awful side effects. I get a terrible back ache often accompanied by stomach problems. I will skip doses when the side effects are tough to handle, but the depression comes back not long after. When I take the regular dose (100 mg), the side effects return and it is difficult to get through the day. I really do not want to to go off the Lamictal, but I want to figure out how to get around these side effects as well. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I am greatful for any advice!

Daniel J.

synapse
Full Member (100+ posts)

228 Posts
Gratitude: 44

Posted - 05/12/2006 : 13:29:39

My anxiety/depression is being managed at the moment with a combination of:

Venlafaxine 150mg
Abilify 30mg
Propananol 160mg

They are slowly redusing the sulpiride that I am on too.

In 1992 I was prescribed flupenthixol decanoate 100mg depot injection in hospital and today my psychiatrist has warned me I may have to be admitted again.

synapse
Full Member (100+ posts)

228 Posts
Gratitude: 44

Posted - 05/12/2006 : 13:48:39

I must add Dr Long that after reading your articles on the use of lithium and my pending hospitalisation I must agree that Lithium alone would be prophylactic to my depression after having self medicated myself against medical advice and have the police take back home to a place of safety.

I think that my current psychiatrist is hiding his indiscretions and ability to practice. For example on a prescribing sheet he gave me x amount of sulpiride and then wrote over the amount to "cover up" to 600mg one week whilst attneding tha day hospital.

flyfish
Starting Member

2 Posts

Posted - 05/19/2006 : 20:54:45

I am currently taking antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics and mood stabilizers. I have had success with these medications and I was wondering if nutritional therapy, eg. orthomolecular therapy could help this combination of drugs be more effective. Would these synthetic medication be more effective? Just curious...please respond.

BB9

Neige
Starting Member

8 Posts

Posted - 06/25/2006 : 23:42:58

quote:
Originally posted by Jana
"For me, Lamictal was a Godsend! I never got the rash or any side effects.. and i could see SO much clearer."
Well. Jana, that's your quote, and I certainly agree. As a bipolar patient with infrequent though disruptive highs but plenty of depressions, I started on lamictal recently and I am now at 125 mg. per day with 750 mg. of Epival, rising to 150 mg. of lamotrigine next week and 500 mg. of Epival, then 175 mg. of lamo then 200 by month's end.

I simply cannot believe how much calmer and more focused I feel. AS you say, "I could see so much clearer." I feel a lot more alert, and a lot less anxious. For the first time in my adult life, I have slept very well 7 days in a row. And I am 61. Before going on lamotrigine, I had restless leg syndrome all my life, but when I reached 75 mg. per week, it totally disappeared!

In addition, so far, so good, no side effects. Cross our fingers.

I feel like someone has turned off an "excitability" or "storm" switch in my brain. It is very strange. The last time I felt like this was when I was a teenager. I have real hopes for this meds.

Thank you so much for your post.

You are a real encouragement and light to me in darkness coming to dawn.

God bless you.

For me, Lamictal was a Godsend! I never got the rash or any side effects.. and i could see SO much clearer. The only time i noticed it not helping my depression much was when i was PMSing(sorry guys.. lol) and it made my PMS worse.. much worse. It also put me into hypomania for the first time.. so i had to add Seroquel or i wouldnt sleep. I was awake for 48 hours when i first went on Lamictal and was so agitated and depressed that i fell back into old SI habits. After calling my pdoc.. they added Seroquel and it was a great combo for me. However.. when i lost my job and insurance.. i had to go off my Lamictal. I went off Cold Turkey and instantly went into my first big hypomanic stage. I also started to rapid cycle and that hasnt changed in me at all. I have never had full blown mania (although i wonder if it wasnt full blown when i went off the Lamictal) When i get my insurance in September.. you bet that i will be asking for Lamictal again!

Jana

"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall" Psalms 55:22

echo
Starting Member

16 Posts

Posted - 07/25/2006 : 21:56:22

I thank you all for volumes of information. I just wish my concentration was such that I could take 1/2 of it in.

Ellie
Super Member (250+ posts)

335 Posts
Gratitude: 77

Posted - 09/13/2007 : 12:10:04

I stopped zyprexa and a little later depressive symptoms came back (Nothing really terrible, thought annoying, but I got really scared of getting very sick again). My pdoc thought that stopping zyprexa must have been the reason of my relapse. I thought, or wanted to believe that this has been a coinsidence. I refused to take zyprexa or any other antipsychotic, as I think that I do not need it, as I am not psychotic any more. He increased my lamictal dose, and it seems that I am doing better (or was I to do better anyway?). I do not know which med works for me, if my downs are treated by meds, or if I would feel better anyway. Is there any of you that really hates antipsychotics? Why should we take antipsychotics, considering their side effects, if we do not have current psychotic symptoms? Shouldn't mood stabilizers do the job?

I really hate antidepressants. They made me feel better very fast, but later on they made me feel much worse, I think. I've had mixed episodes after taking them and I think that they might have been a factor on my deteriorating.

warblaster
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)