Prozac & Depakote Er For Bipolar? Bpd? Quitting Effexor Posted: 05-09-07 15:56pm
Hello again. I have been here a lot in the
past few weeks as I've been trying to find
that magic combo to help me with my
Bipolar I (Mixed, Agitated Episodes with
Ultra-Rapid Cycling), Borderline
Personality Disorder, Panic Disorder,
Generalized Anxiety Disorder and
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
I am currently going off of the Effexor as
I could only tolerate for 3 weeks as every
day I am in bed longer than I was the day
before. Now I'm in bed about 18 hours a
day. And most of the time I'm sleeping.
I only got up to 75mg of Effexor and was
there for 2 weeks after spending 1 week on
37.5mg. So as of today I am taking 5mg of
prozac in the morning and 37.5mg of
Effexor at bedtime for a week, then going
to halve the Effexor and continue with the
Prozac for a week in hopes that I am able
to get off this nasty stuff before I am to
travel cross-country in the beginning of
June.
Once I'm off the Effexor, I plan on
staying on Prozac at 5mg (if it's
effective, 10mg if not) as I have had
Prozac throw me into a bad raging, manic
episode before (along with Geodon). But
that was without the Depakote.
So I am wondering if anyone who has
Bipolar Disorder or Borderline Personality
Disorder has had success with such a small
dose of Prozac while taking a mood
stabilizer (not an anti-psychotic). I just
don't want to get manic again.
I also take 3mg of Xanax XR which seems to
work well and 50-100mg Seroquel at bedtime
(which I'm hoping to stop, but not sure
how). Would Trazodone be a better
alternative for sleep? As Lunesta and
Ambien no longer work for me.
Does anyone have any suggestions as I am
in between psychiatrists and have spoken
with my General Doctor. He is the one who
has me on what I am taking now. So I'm
looking to those who may have actual
experience in hopes of some information
which may be of help.
I really hope there's someone out there
who can help as I don't want to have to
cancel my trip. It's already been put on
hold since last November because I've been
too messed up to go anywhere.
Thanks for listening... well reading.
Hugs,
CA 2 NJ
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lauren61
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Tampa, FL
Posted: 05-15-07 17:31pm
Hello;
Well, that is a tough one as we all know
about meds which works and in what combos
and for how long? I think it depends on
the individual persons body chemistry.
I have been on every med since i was 14
that was 32 years ago!
Be careful with effexor i was on 150mg and
did the ween and I was actually Baker
acted I was so screwed up coming off.
Quite suicidal and close to doing it.
I ended up on Lamictal and Cymbalta and my
17 year friend Ativan.
This worked only a short time. But was
going through menopause at the same time
without knowing it and my best friend was
dying.
Then I stayed in a depression state for
almost a year (with meds.)
I then had to go to the ER I was suicidal
24-7. This time I started back on Lexapro,
Prozac and Lithium-this was a life saver.
But I was a zombie from the mix of Lithium
and Prozac. So-went off Prozac and added
Welbutrin again, kept Lexapro etc. Then a
lot of weight gain with Lithuim and other
side effects. Now off Lithium and ok with
Welbutrin and Lexapro. etc.
The key is to try as many different
combinations you can until you find what
works. Believe me-for 30 some years I have
had to change meds from 1-3 years and so
on. They stop working or dont work.
Try try try different combos until you get
results.
Lauri
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minikuinini
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 19 May 2007 Posts: 6 Location: California
Depakote Posted: 05-19-07 01:55am
Hi! I took depakote for 2 years for
bipolar disorder and I do not recommend
it. During that time, gained 30-50lbs,
lost most of my hair, got yellow skin and
was constantly sick in bed. It is so
strong and not healthy at all. Maybe it
would work better for you, but ask your
doctor about alternatives!!!!
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