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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BetterDays on November 12, 2007, at 13:42:35
I just got back from my PDOC appointment and was prescribed a new mix of meds for my BiPolar II and panic attacks.
Lamictal - starting at 25mg at night with increase in dosage every couple of weeks. I think the goal is to get me to 100mg.
Paxil CR- starting at 12.5mg in morning with increase to 25mg in 7 days
Lyrica- one 25 mg at night, two if needed
I had posted that I was taking Lithium and Seroquel but had to stop after only two weeks as my panic attacks were out the roof and my tendency towards agoraphobia was coming back.
Paxil has worked really well for me in the past but not so good for mania. My Dr. tells me with the Lamictal the Paxil should even out.
He wanted to keep me on the Seroquel for sleep but got him to agree to try Lyrica as I suffer from chronic shoulder and neck pain and I heard it can also be helpful for anxiety. I liked the Seroquel as it knocked me out at night but would rather not be on an AP just for sleep.
For those out there who have taken, or are taking Lyrica, do you find it helps with sleep?
Like a lot of people, I've tried a lot of medications and am crossing my fingers this will prove to be the right cocktail for me.
Thanks in advance for the input.
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on November 12, 2007, at 18:26:31
In reply to Lyrica help with sleep?, posted by BetterDays on November 12, 2007, at 13:42:35
BetterDays:
I have been taking Seroquel (100-300mg), Klonopin (2-3mg), and Nardil (45-60mg) for anxiety and depression, but now my pdoc thinks I may have BPII, therefore added Lamictal today because I have had sleeping issues.
How did the pdoc decide you were BPII?How long have you had that diagnosis?
Do you have Babblemail? If not, please send me an email at sportscarvell@yahoo.com. I would love to discuss more, seems we have a lot in common. Thanks, Michael
Posted by Phillipa on November 12, 2007, at 19:38:13
In reply to Bipolar II Qsss » BetterDays, posted by UgottaHaveHope on November 12, 2007, at 18:26:31
I'm like you start on very low doses and it sounds like a good combo to me as friends on lyrica says it is great for anxiety. Phillipa
Posted by BetterDays on November 13, 2007, at 8:19:35
In reply to Bipolar II Qsss » BetterDays, posted by UgottaHaveHope on November 12, 2007, at 18:26:31
Hi Michael,
I've read some of your threads and I think we do have similiar issues.
I've had a long history of anxiety / panic attacks, with recent irritability, impulsivity, and depression. About 3 weeks ago my PDOC decided that these are symptoms of BP II. Not entirely sure how much I agree with the diagnosis, but have decided not to get stuck on that. Instead will focus on finding the right medications to help me with my panic / anxiety and other symptoms.
Paxil has worked well for me in the past for my panic attacks. I was on it for several years, it stopped working, I tried other AD's (none worked), and after a 1-2 year hiatus, have now restarted Paxil (last night).
I also started Lamictal and Lyrica. No bad side effects (it's only been 1 day) except that I didn't sleep well last night at all. From the archived posts I've read, and from what my PDoc told me, it will take a few weeks for Lamictal to settle down and hopefully hit the anxiety / depression. He said to be prepared that initially it may make me feel anxious, but to hang with it and the anxiety would very likely go away.
I did miss the Seroquel. Have you not had good luck with it helping you sleep? I took 100-150mg and it knocked me out (in a good way, didn't have the drunken feeling some report).
As far as the Seroquel, it's just a personal choice that I would rather try other things than an anti-psychotic for sleep (if the Lyrica doesn't end up working I will go back to Trazadone, which was a big help with my anxiety and a great sleep aid for me prior to the BP II diagnosis).
I was on benzos for a long time - Xanax and Klonopin, but I would rather use those for emergency panic situations (driving, presentations at work....).
I'm not sure what to expect from the Lamictal so am going with the flow with crossed fingers for good results.
I would very much like to hear of your experiences.
Best Wishes, Shelly
> BetterDays:
>
> I have been taking Seroquel (100-300mg), Klonopin (2-3mg), and Nardil (45-60mg) for anxiety and depression, but now my pdoc thinks I may have BPII, therefore added Lamictal today because I have had sleeping issues.
>
> How did the pdoc decide you were BPII?
>
> How long have you had that diagnosis?
>
> Do you have Babblemail? If not, please send me an email at sportscarvell@yahoo.com. I would love to discuss more, seems we have a lot in common. Thanks, Michael
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on November 15, 2007, at 2:26:24
In reply to Re: Bipolar II Qsss, posted by BetterDays on November 13, 2007, at 8:19:35
Shelly:
How is it going with the Lamictal?I am interested in finding out how your pdoc reached the conclusion that you are BPII. I just think it is very rare to have any pdoc make that diagnosis because BPII is so often overlooked. You must have a good pdoc to even explore this area. And he is following standard treatment for BPII, which is Lithium or Lamictal.
If Lamictal doesnt work, I am thinking the pdoc will try Seroquel next. That is also popular for BPII from what I read. I love Seroquel, helps me sleep. The lower the dosage, the better I sleep.
Please let us know how you are feeling on Lamictal. Thanks, Michael
Posted by sonic_gb on November 15, 2007, at 12:45:12
In reply to Lyrica help with sleep?, posted by BetterDays on November 12, 2007, at 13:42:35
Hi There,
Just a quick note to say that although you are on an extremely low dose of Lyrica (I was on 450mg/day), it is fairly habit forming, and I had a very hard time getting off. Other than that it was helpful for neuropathy, anxiety, and I did sleep better on it.
Sonic
Posted by qbsbrown on November 20, 2007, at 1:21:53
In reply to Re: Lyrica help with sleep?, posted by sonic_gb on November 15, 2007, at 12:45:12
Yes, Lyrica helped very much with sleep. Better quality and less hangover than Neurontin.
I have no clue why it's on the class IV drugs, as I find it not even close to habit forming
Brian
Posted by pstrait on November 26, 2007, at 2:14:33
In reply to Lyrica help with sleep?, posted by BetterDays on November 12, 2007, at 13:42:35
I took 75 mg / day of Lyrica for carpal tunnel a year and a half ago-- it didn't really help the CTS (it just kind of resolved itself after several weeks of a wrist brace, Lyrica, and an NSAID), but it did help with sleep, as well as with anxiety/benzodiazapine dependence, bc i was taking .5-1 mg of xanax daily for anxiety, and by the end of it I was taking xanax only occasionally.
Posted by Phillipa on November 26, 2007, at 17:30:29
In reply to Re: Lyrica help with sleep?, posted by pstrait on November 26, 2007, at 2:14:33
I've heard that lyrica at the lower end of the doseage is great for anxiety. So it also helped wean off the benzos. That's great. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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