Posted by detroitpistons on January 17, 2006, at 9:41:21
In reply to Re: Med-induced hypomania? Crazy and hopeless, posted by elkat on January 17, 2006, at 0:54:35
Mark,
Personally, I would be very reluctant to get on lithium (unless I was truly manic/bipolar), but the lamictal is no problem for me. It has a very benign side effect profile, and it's easier to take...You don't have to get your blood checked, and you don't have to worry about developing thyroid problems. I would just tell your doctor that you would feel more comfortable trying Lamictal or Depakote.
I'm really excited about the Lamictal because I also expect it to boost my mood (has great antidepressant effects). Effexor lifted me out of a bad depression this past summer, but I definitely don't ever feel happy either (unlike the first time that I took it).
Keep us posted.
Marc
> I thought I would jump in here. I'm having the same dilemma. The AD meds are causing my hypomania. I have no doubt, because I quit the remeron and wellbutrin I was taking and the hypomania went away. Then, after a week, back come the horrible depression. I went back on the Wellbutrin and I feel less depressed but somewhat hyper again. not nearly as bad. I think the Wellburtrin doesn't bother me as much because there is no SSRI effect. Makes me cranky though.
>
> I had the same bad experience with the SSRI's. I tried Lexapro a year ago and it drove me up the wall, especially after increasing the dose.
>
> So, my Pdoc gives me the "maybe you have undiagnosed bipolar" business, but I know it's the meds. She is suggesting lithium, but I was wondering about lamictal. It's like I have to be on the AD med, or I start losing it, and it looks like I'm going to have to take something else for the hyper side effects.
>
> No doubt these meds change our brain chemistry permanently. But at least we are still here so we can write to each other on these message boards.
>
> Mark
poster:detroitpistons
thread:596880
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060115/msgs/599933.html