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[happyadjunct]

So I just stopped Cymbalta and Effexor...now therapist wants me to meet with a Psychiatrist to get an evaluation, and she mentioned that since I have had no luck on anti-depressants (have taken in the past: prozac, paxil, trazidone, wellbutrin, lexapro/seroquel together, cymbalta (twice), effexor) I may need mood stabilizers.

I meet with Psychiatrist August 27, and am a bit concerned/intrigued/curious about what she may suggest for me...

Anyone on mood stabilizers now? In my shoes? Advice? Counsel? please.

My history: sexual abuse, mental abuse, bulimic, ("diagnosed" borderline personality disorder when I was a teen)depression for over 15 years, attempted suicide (while on Prozac), two bouts of post-partum depression....

it's so sad to read what I just typed...hopeless, huh?

[rubygirl]

Wow, happyadjunct, you have a lot on your plate!

First of all, I want to say that I'm sorry about your history <hugs>, but I'm impressed with what seems to me a hopeful attitude.  You've had all this drama, and you've tried lots of things, and yet you're still working on a solution.

Do you see?  You aren't despairing--you are still trying.  I think that is amazing.  And awesome.  I REALLY respect that!

I don't have experience with mood stabilizers, but I do know that people are often misdiagnosed with unipolar depression before getting an accurate diagnosis.  Was your therapist thinking bipolar disorder?  If so, don't be discouraged:  if that's what's going on,  many people have less-than-stellar (and sometimes really bad) results on plain old antidepressants.  However, it can be difficult to diagnose, and thus one tries many things before figuring it out.

If you are diagnosed with that, it seems like the most important thing to do is STAY ON THE MEDS until you are told otherwise.  I did some reading of bipolar folks' memoirs recently (An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison was really good) and it seems to be a running theme:  years of misdiagnosis, followed by a proper diagnosis, patient in denial then finally desperate enough to take meds, patient misses the "manic" times (not realizing how destructive they are), goes off meds, drama ensues; repeat cycle however many times until patient decides to finally commit to the meds.

There are many, many people on these boards who suffer with depression, anxiety, bipolar, you name it.  Under the "balancing work and life" board there's a thread about chronic illness, which might be a good place to start.  Also, you could do a search.

You are not alone.  If you feel like it, please keep us posted as to your progress.  Good wishes flowing your way!

[algoa]

What happened on the Seroquel?

Best page on the web for mood stabilizer info:
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/moodstabilizers.htm

Also, google “soft bipolar.”

The trick, as always, is to get a med that alleviates symptoms without causing unbearable side effects.  Sometimes people have to go through a few meds trials to find a good med or take smallish doses of several meds. Most people do find a compromise with the meds and their ability to live their lives.

I struggled the most with brain fog as a side effect, but I was first diagnosed many years ago before psychiatrists had the arsenal of meds available to them today.

[sikora]

I've been taking Lamictal for about two years.  It's an antiseizure medication often used in treating bipolar II.  However, it's been hard to tease apart the bio and the situational aspects of my difficulties so it's been hard to say how it has helped.  I think it has, and I've not noticed any side effects.  On the downside, these antiseizure medications have been associated with suicidal ideation.  Again, it's hard to determine the causation.

The Lamictal-Seroquel combination is used oftem for bipolar II, and I continue to take that.  But I've come face-to-face with the controversy surrounding the diagnosis of bipolar disorder.  Drug reps are absent from the VA mental health system, and there clinicians are very skeptical of bipolar II, at least in my experience.  Lamictal and Seroquel are heavily advertised, often with the admonition "Don't miss the diagnosis [of bipolar II]!"  It's all very confusing.  I'm confused.

I hope you find the best medication, and that you feel better very soon.


I hope you find the right thing for you. 

[happyadjunct]

I have never taken an anti-depressant that hasn't given me unbearable side effects...
The Lexapro/Seroquel mix was fine but for gas/sex side effects. I told Doc I would risk the gas to try it again, but she put me in Effexor instead--nice huh?

I am taking nothing now until I have eval with psych...

I do not want to be in a fog--I can't--I have a 5 month old + 2 year old that need me alert--this is so frustrating....

[algoa]

No. No.  I'm sorry.  You won't be in a fog.
First the psychiatrist will interview/examine you and such and decide if you are a candidate for a mood stabilizer.
Lots of meds do not cause cognitive problems.  I only pointed out the cognitive probs because that was my issue when I was trying to finish my dissertation.

[t_r_b]

This PBS documentary, while annoying in several respects, offers a handy overview of some of the different treatment options out there for depression, and some possible new avenues now being explored. If you haven't seen it, it might be helpful. I think most of the stuff on treatment is in the second half of the program. If memory serves, the first half focuses more on individual cases, some of them heart-wrenching, some of them irritating, so feel free to skip over all that if you're not interested.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/takeonestep/depression/index.html

[ms_turtle]

This PBS documentary, while annoying in several respects, offers a handy overview of some of the different treatment options out there for depression, and some possible new avenues now being explored. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/takeonestep/depression/index.html

I, too, found the documentary slightly annoying. It did help my mom in regards to understanding some of what I go through.

I didn't have any real side effects with the mood stabilizers. They just didn't help. It was the MAOIs that nearly did me in (almost caused a stroke).

I have never taken an anti-depressant that hasn't given me unbearable side effects...

Perhaps under the category of TMI, but sometimes the sexual side effects can be, um, positive. I would almost go back on one drug if just for the ...........

There are many, many people on these boards who suffer with depression, anxiety, bipolar, you name it.  Under the "balancing work and life" board there's a thread about chronic illness, which might be a good place to start. 

Please do come over. If you also have a poodle, you'll really fit in.

I'm not that much help for advice. I have had to deal with this while raising two kids (6 and 9 now) and am always willing to commiserate.