Anticonvulsant medications for Bipolar

[DreaRomero]

I am BP and my psychiatrist wants to put me on Anticonvulsant medication similar to Valproate in a bid to control my moods. I am worried about the side effects as she said they can cause liver and kidney problems. Could anyone who is on similar medication for BP give me some information on what their experience of such medications have been and if they have helped their condition? Is it a good idea to allow the doctor to treat me using these medications, what are the benefits and side effects. I am reluctant to start taking these drugs however I am at the point where I am finding daily life a real struggle and don't know what other options I have. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[LeftCoastChick]

Lamactil has been a godsend, that's the only way I can describe it. I'm still getting titrated up to a therapeudic dose, but I can feel the difference. I'm no longer numb, suicidal in any form and it's helped my deal with the other aspects of the disorder rationally.  I have been on most of the SSRI's and all the SNRI's and non have worked like this, as well 2 tricyclic drugs which were useless.  

The rash is a concern, but if you have a smart pdoc, they will titrate you very slowly. I've been on it for 2 months, and they are only upping it 25mgs at a time to be safe, that will negate the risk dramatically. There are studies showing if starting it very slowly you won't have the issues.  I hope this helps, cheers, Jane

[adel_ezz]

If you still haven't seen your pdoc, mention to him Abilify, especially if you live in great britain, pdocs there advise it. It's a 2nd generation atypical AP working unlike the old atypical by not supressing the dopamine rather by regulating it. Lamictal is also excellent the rash is 1 in 1000 only.
ezz

[azalea82]

Which medication does your doctor recommend?  Is it Depakote?  If weight is a concern (you mentioned you took Topamax to lose 10lbs), you might mention this to your doctor as Depakote can cause weight gain in some people.  

[azalea82]

About 10% of patients who take Lamictal get a rash; however, the serious life-threatening rash occurs much more rarely.  The risk of rash can be minimized by starting at a very low dose (12.5mg) and increasing very slowly.  Lamictal is an excellent mood stabilizer with few side effects, except the rash.  It's something to be aware of, but not a reason to completely avoid the medication.  Many people have noticed significant benefit from Lamictal.  

[merrilinda]

I was briefly on Depakote when I was first diagnosed, but I was taken off of it after about 6 weeks.  It helped tremendously, but I was having trouble with short term memory and word recall (I kept saying "You know....that thing.....the..um.....").

Now I'm on Neurontin (generic is Gabapentin) and it's a god-send for me.  At this point I don't care if it's a placebo for me...it works! I personally haven't had any side effects, in the beginning I had a little euphoria and dizziness, but that went away in a week.  I'm currently on 300mg 3-4 times a day (total 900-1200mg) depending on how much I need.  I personally can't function without it, it does nothing for my depression, but it helps with my extreme irritability and anger outbursts that come along with my mixed moods.  It is an off-label use though and I've heard some doctors won't prescribe it.

[pdr7686]

My psychiatrist tried me on Lamital one time and warned me that if I broke out in a rash to let her know. I was okay for a couple of months and then I broke out in a rash so I contacted her and she immediately took me off of it and told me that the rash could become so severe it could cause death. Therefore, I am advising everyone to be very careful taking Lamital.

[tres1965]

I am on seizure meds & Bipolar meds...

I take Abilify, which is my steady lifeline...
Dylantin for the seizures
Depakote for the seizures/depression
& Buspar for nerves...

My combo works!!!

[Fuzzz]

A neurologist put me on Topamax because she wanted me off the low dose of amitriptyline I was on just so I could lose 10 lb.  Losing 10 lb was supposed to stop the nerve pain going down my leg, but that wasn't the problem (severe constipation was impinging on my anterolateral cutaneous thigh nerve, and the drugs she prescribed made it worse).  

The Topamax was a disaster.  It sped my brain up too much (I later was diagnosed with ADD) and made it impossible to work for a manager that I'd been coping with previously.  Other than her, that was a really good job, too.  

I'm still not sure I am bipolar, but I hope to see a new psychiatrist soon.  

[DreaRomero]

Thank you so much for all your input, I really apreciate it. I will be seeing my psychiatrist again next month and we shall discuss what's going to happen then. Thank you for all your encouragement too, I don't expect miracles but I would like to be able to cope and function a little better than I am right now. Hopefully with the right treatment I can.
Thank you all again

[cowgirlnerd]

Lamactical - yes, it's a life saver.  It takes about a month to get regulated, but MAN, the difference.  You can feel the depression, but you can deal with it.  You aren't completely numb.  

It was odd to me to take an anti-convulsant also, but it really does work.  I don't know about your med - with Lamactical, I don't take blood tests, etc....just routine med checks with my pdoc and of course, my therapist sessions.

It gets better - I know that "daily life a struggle" feeling, and it can get better with the correct help.

[PenelopeAnn]

I forgot, Neurontin caused the dizziness and double vision, too.

[PenelopeAnn]

I've been on Depakote with little help in controlling my moods. It caused weight gain, skin discoloration and acne, stopped my periods, and made my hair darker and wavier.

Tegretol, Trileptal, Lamictal, all caused dizziness, double vision, and poor coordination.

Topomax caused memory problems and word finding problems.

None helped my moods much, except, MAYBE Lamictal. NOW, I am one of those people that gets the side effects at a low dose and can't tolerate a therapeutic dose. That's me. Lithobid is the only thing that has helped, but it isn't an anticonvulsant. I don't get any side effects from it, either.

[adel_ezz]

I am BP and I try to convince my pdoc to try lamictal. He put me on tegretol instead which I couldn't bare. I read good things about lamictal. Why pdocs prefer AC as MS because more effective and longlasting than AP.

Although I am on seroquel which is OK, I believe the best 2 meds invented so far though not tried neither is lamotrigine (lamictal) and abilify.
ezz

[imsmiley12]

It is a VERY common practice these days.  I've had great sucess with lamictal as well.  good luck!

[Amyjo101]

I have seen several different anticonvulsants used in BP, My daughter has been on Lamictal 200mg and it seems to work well. I have seen Depakote(valproate), tegretol, ect used. It is becoming a pretty common practice.

[BeckyUK2001]

I am on Carbamazeptine, that is for my Epilepsy and Depression. I found that it did not work for my Bipolar even though i was on 800mg and yes, you will need regular blood tests to check your liver and kidney function. If you are concerned about it talk to your Psychiatrist about other options. I did! It is your body and you do have control over what goes into it.

Hope this helps

Beck