Trileptal and Lithium Reader Question

Hi Julie,

I am taking Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)(800 mg a day)   ..my doctor wants to switch me to Lithium Carb 300mg. I don’t know anything about this medication..does anyone?

Karen

Hi Karen,

 It’s not super common for people with bipolar to take Triliptal (Oxcarbazepine) which may be why your doctor wants you to switch. Most people take Depakote,Tegretol or Lamictal –these are all epilepsy medications. Lithium is the only true mood stabilizer and if often the first choice for bipolar treatment. Your doctor is making a very normal treatment change from a anticonvulsant drug to the mood stabilizer Lithium.  This change is very much based on your personal symptoms and how you respond to medications- so there is no right or wrong here. A lot of it also has to do with the dosage,so that will probably change around a bit as you work with your doctor.  It’s all very normal to experiment [ Read More ]





Posted on May 19th,2010 | Tags:,, | Category:Medications

Help for bipolar disorder rapid cycling:Answer to reader question

    

A Reader Question for Julie Fast

I just received a comment from Reanna about her rapid cycling that won’t stop. I have been there so I understand! She asked a question about bipolar disorder treatment. Here is the question and my answer:Julie,Reading your posts has been very helpful–thank you! I have been having a horrible time with “mixed episodes” in where I will be up for a few hours,then out of no where,boom,I am down,then up,then down! My dr. ordered blood tests,but any suggestions on coping methods until the tests kick in?Reanna

Hi Reanna,Oh yes,I certainly understand. I have done that rapid cycling. It’s hard to get all of the terms straight with this illness! When you go up and then down- that is rapid cycling. A lot of rapid cycling. We are similar. I can have five or more [ Read More ]





Twitter Bipolar Definitions

Twitter makes a person write in really,really short sentences. I decided to define bipolar disorder terms with as few words as possible. Here are a few:

BIPOLAR DISORDER:A genetic illness that makes it difficult for a person to regulate their moods. It’s not a personal failing,and though it can look like we’re a mess –we’re not!

SCHIZO AFFECTIVE DISORDER:Separate diagnosis of bipolar and psychotic disorder. When person has psychosis without a coexisting mood swing,it’s schizoaffective disorder. BP psychosis often comes with mania. 

ABILIFY:Antipsychotic (neuroleptic) used for psychosis and mania. Side effects -agitation (akathesia). Less weight gain. Has less side effects than many anti psychotics.

LITHIUM:True mood stabilizer. Anti mania drug- not anti depressant. First drug of choice in hospital. Can have little to very strong side effects. Very inexpensive. A salt.

 This is a challenge. I will have to turn this into a newsletter!

 Julie

If you’re not [ Read More ]





Mental Health True or False

  Here are some mental health statements. Are they true or false? The answers are below.

#1. OCD is an anxiety disorder.

#2. People with bipolar disorder have psychosis.

#3. Bipolar disorder in children is the same as bipolar disorder in adults.

#4. Lithium is the only true mood stabilizer.  

Answers:

#1  True! There are seven types of anxiety disorders,general anxiety disorder,social phobias,specific phobias,agoraphobia,PTSD and OCD

#2. Absolutely true.  When my partner Ivan was in the hospital for three months- he was manic and very psychotic. This is normal with a full blown bipolar I manic episode. The psychosis is treated with antipsychotics such as Abilify,Seroquel,Risperdal and Zyprexa.  I write about Ivan in my book Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder.

#3. False! The childhood bipolar disorder diagnosis is very controversial. In fact,in the last ten years the childhood bipolar disorder diagnosis [ Read More ]





Medication Side Effects:Stomach Problems

Did you know that there is Serotonin in our stomachs? It has the second highest concentration of the neurotransmitter after our brains.

 This is why SSRI drugs such as Prozac,Zoloft and many others can cause stomach problems. As my coauthor Dr. John Preston says,“There’s no way to harpoon a drug straight to the neurotransmitters in your brain. They have to go through the whole body which is why they cause so many side effects.”

I remember being so sick I couldn’t work. I was always in the bathroom. That may be more than you want to know about me! but it’s important to know that you’re not alone if drugs are making your stomach rumble.

Side effects can include nausea,irritable bowel syndrome,bloated stomach,acid reflux,etc. etc.

Lovely!

Here are some tips on keeping your stomach happy:

1. First of all,talk with your doctor if things are really bad. It’s [ Read More ]





Bipolar Question from Dr. Jay Carter

Hi Julie,

Is there any supplements or herbal remedies that you would recommend for bipolar stuff,other than the

omega 3?

Any particular diet that is beneficial?

Jay

 (Dr. Jay Carter is a psychologist with an emphasis on bipolar disorder.)

**

Hi Jay!

St. John’s Wort can cause Mania.

Sam E is for mild depression.

Some people swear by the molecular stuff such as Taurine,etc. The serotonin mimic 5-HTP  is just like an

anti depressant as it can cause mania.

There are some supplements such as TruHope out of Canada that made a lot of claims and then got busted.

Some herbs can help sleep such as kava kava,valerian.

Calms Forte homeopathic works for some.

To be honest,I’ve found that most of the sleep stuff is for milder problems.  I use Ativan as I don’t have any

addiction problems- those with addiction worries to Ativan,Klonopin or Valium can use Benedryl.

I [ Read More ]





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