Mood Stabilizer

TicTacGo · 08-10-2018, 03:43 PM

Hi all.

I’ve been put on a variety of meds and it has become apparent that things are not as clear-cut. My mood will not stabilize no matter what we do, so I’ll likely get a mood stabilizer.

(Likely bipolar and not resistant depression, as the latter apparently remains constant while my mood goes up and down.)

I’ve been on lithium. A few unpleasant side effects- not prepared to go back there unless everything else has been tried. I’ve also been on lamotrogine and seemed to gain weight. I’d try it again before lithium.

What else would my doctor possibly put me on? I know that the lamotrogine would be a possibility, but what else?

Thanks.

Guiness187055 · 08-10-2018, 05:45 PM

Depakote

Deejay14 · 08-10-2018, 06:49 PM

Tegretol

childofchaos831 · 08-10-2018, 07:41 PM

Abilify is what I use. Some of the newer antipsychotics are used as mood stabilizers.

Blue_Bird · 08-11-2018, 09:13 AM

I'm on Trileptal as a mood stabilizer and to help with my eating disorder

TicTacGo · 08-11-2018, 05:44 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I guess it is likely she will choose one of the above mentioned if we rule out lithium and possibly Lamictal.

BTW do you need regular blood testing for any of those?

still_crazy · 08-11-2018, 05:54 PM

trileptal or lamictal. sometimes, if you're on other drugs, even gabapentin can be helpful...I wouldn't try it as the main treatment, though.

Blue_Bird · 08-12-2018, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TicTacGo

Thanks for the replies.

I guess it is likely she will choose one of the above mentioned if we rule out lithium and possibly Lamictal.

BTW do you need regular blood testing for any of those?

My doctor does blood testing once in awhile for the Trileptal, the only thing that really has to be watched for is sodium levels because it can cause them get too low which is not good. She does this maybe 2 or 3 times a year, more if I need my dose adjusted. I had previously been on Depakote and then Lithium before that. Out of the 3 I've had the least issues with Trileptal and it has been helpful.

TicTacGo · 08-13-2018, 08:57 AM

Update:

My doctor has put me on Lamictal. We are slowly (emphasis on slowly) tapering up from 25 mg to 200 mg.

This would now be my 6th medication, which I will discuss with her next time because this is honestly ridiculous. Six?
-> Antidepressant(s)- yes help with OCD and mood to some extent though on 3 of them.
-> Mood stabilizer- yes, that is clearly necessary.
-> Antipsychotic #1- Seroquel does help me sleep with the nasty side effect of having me eat everything salty or sweet I can get my hands on. She has lowered it to 50 as 100 mg is not even an efficient (therapeutic) dosage with regards to mood stabilizing.
-> Antipsychotic #2- Fluanxol was prescribed for body dysmorphia about a year and a half ago, but wouldn't the antidepressants help for that?

I see potential for at least the Fluanxol to be dropped and the Seroquel to be phased out. four is still a bit much, but better than six.

*Laurie* · 08-13-2018, 10:29 AM

Six...actually, that's not many. Unfortunately.

08-10-2018, 06:49 PM	#3
Deejay14 Poohbah Deejay14 has no updates. Member Since: Sep 2016 Location: USA Posts: 1,305 My Mood: 35 hugs given	Re: Mood Stabilizer Tegretol __________________ True happiness comes not when we get rid of all our problems, but when we change our relationship to them, when we see our problems as a potential source of awakening, opportunities to practice patience and learn.~Richard Carlson

08-10-2018, 07:41 PM	#4
childofchaos831 Grand Magnate childofchaos831 has no updates. Member Since: Nov 2016 Location: Texas Posts: 4,061 (SuperPoster!) My Mood: 14 hugs given	Re: Mood Stabilizer Abilify is what I use. Some of the newer antipsychotics are used as mood stabilizers. __________________ Diagnoses: Schizoaffective Bipolar, C-PTSD, DID, Major Anxiety, Chronic Pain

08-11-2018, 09:13 AM	#5
Blue_Bird Legendary Blue_Bird is ready for change! Member Since: Jun 2013 Location: Hogwarts Posts: 15,491 (SuperPoster!) My Mood: 4,506 hugs given	Re: Mood Stabilizer I'm on Trileptal as a mood stabilizer and to help with my eating disorder __________________ My Blog: https://livingwithachaoticmind.wordpress.com/ R.I.P mom 8/6/55-1/15/16

08-11-2018, 05:44 PM	#6
TicTacGo Member TicTacGo has no updates. Member Since: Dec 2016 Location: South Africa Posts: 403 My Mood: 37 hugs given	Re: Mood Stabilizer Thanks for the replies. I guess it is likely she will choose one of the above mentioned if we rule out lithium and possibly Lamictal. BTW do you need regular blood testing for any of those? __________________ • Venlafaxine • Bupropion • Lamotrigine • Setraline • Olanzapine

08-11-2018, 05:54 PM	#7
still_crazy Poohbah still_crazy has no updates. Member Since: Oct 2016 Location: United States of America Posts: 1,476 2,783 hugs given	Re: Mood Stabilizer trileptal or lamictal. sometimes, if you're on other drugs, even gabapentin can be helpful...I wouldn't try it as the main treatment, though.

08-10-2018, 03:43 PM	#1
TicTacGo Member TicTacGo has no updates. Member Since: Dec 2016 Location: South Africa Posts: 403 My Mood: 37 hugs given	Mood Stabilizer Hi all. I’ve been put on a variety of meds and it has become apparent that things are not as clear-cut. My mood will not stabilize no matter what we do, so I’ll likely get a mood stabilizer. (Likely bipolar and not resistant depression, as the latter apparently remains constant while my mood goes up and down.) I’ve been on lithium. A few unpleasant side effects- not prepared to go back there unless everything else has been tried. I’ve also been on lamotrogine and seemed to gain weight. I’d try it again before lithium. What else would my doctor possibly put me on? I know that the lamotrogine would be a possibility, but what else? Thanks. __________________ • Venlafaxine • Bupropion • Lamotrigine • Setraline • Olanzapine

08-10-2018, 05:45 PM	#2
Guiness187055 Grand Magnate Guiness187055 has no updates. Member Since: Mar 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 4,396 (SuperPoster!) My Mood: 683 hugs given	Re: Mood Stabilizer Depakote __________________ Dx bipolar1 Rx Abilify 20mg Rx Wellbutrin 300mg XL Rx Xanax 1mg prn Rx Lamictal 200mg Rx Restoril 30mg Rx Thorazine 200mg I used to be so big and strong I used to know my right from wrong I used to never be afraid I used to be somebody I used to have something inside Now just this hole it's open wide

08-13-2018, 08:57 AM	#9
TicTacGo Member TicTacGo has no updates. Member Since: Dec 2016 Location: South Africa Posts: 403 My Mood: 37 hugs given	Re: Mood Stabilizer Update: My doctor has put me on Lamictal. We are slowly (emphasis on slowly) tapering up from 25 mg to 200 mg. This would now be my 6th medication, which I will discuss with her next time because this is honestly ridiculous. Six? -> Antidepressant(s)- yes help with OCD and mood to some extent though on 3 of them. -> Mood stabilizer- yes, that is clearly necessary. -> Antipsychotic #1- Seroquel does help me sleep with the nasty side effect of having me eat everything salty or sweet I can get my hands on. She has lowered it to 50 as 100 mg is not even an efficient (therapeutic) dosage with regards to mood stabilizing. -> Antipsychotic #2- Fluanxol was prescribed for body dysmorphia about a year and a half ago, but wouldn't the antidepressants help for that? I see potential for at least the Fluanxol to be dropped and the Seroquel to be phased out. four is still a bit much, but better than six. __________________ • Venlafaxine • Bupropion • Lamotrigine • Setraline • Olanzapine

08-13-2018, 10:29 AM	#10
Laurie Account Suspended Laurie has no updates. Member Since: Jan 2015 Location: California Uber Alles Posts: 9,150 (SuperPoster!) My Mood: 5,400 hugs given	Re: Mood Stabilizer Six...actually, that's not many. Unfortunately.

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