Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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How do different BP meds work?

deleted_user
deleted_user
I've been told by a p-doc that lamictal works from the mania side down to bring you close to baseline and that lithium works from the depressive side up to bring you close to baseline.

Is this true? I would have to guess that seroquel, depakote, and geodon are helpful with mania but, I could be wrong (wouldn't be the first time).

I'm in the middle of a med change and curious as to how BP meds work. So far I don't like what I've been put on and I'm really curious how these meds work. Please add your input. =)

Oh and if I don't make sense today, I blame it on the medication and apologize in advance!
deleted_user
deleted_user
That's funny what your doc told you, because mine says the opposte: lamictal works "from the bottom" and lith works "from the top." hmmm...
deleted_user
deleted_user
Well I may have them switched around...I'm thinking through mud and muck right now so my memory is shot! I was hoping you would answer. =)
deleted_user
deleted_user
I'm on Lithium and I'm at the bottom and need to be brought up, hence the two other anti-depressants I'm on...hmmmm.
deleted_user
deleted_user
had a great, informative reply typed and my puter took a shit and i had to restart. here i try again.

lamictal - an anti convulsant used for bipolar treatment of those with depression, mixed states and mania.
http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.lamotrigine.html

lithium is also a mood stabilizer

lexapro is an antidepressant

ativan is an anti-anxiety

geodon is an anti-psychotic

depakote is also a treatment for seizure disorder and for mania(and causes nasty weight gain, at least it did for me)

seroquel is used to treat depressive episodes and acute manic episodes
www.seroquel.com( i have also heard this causes weight gain and "foggy" symptoms).

i am currently on lamictal, lithium, lexapro, geodon and ativan oh and synthroid.
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
lithium, lamotrigine (lamicital) and valproate (depakote) are mood stabilizers..all will tend to centre you. Lithium is generally viewed as being good with mania, maybe less good with depression. lamotrigine has a reputation for being very good for bipolar depression.

seroquel is an antipsychotic and so cuts mani (it also takes the edge off hypomania).

The others I don't know about.

There are various guesses about how these things work..but no one is quite sure yet i think.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Take a tour around www.crazymeds.com
Different meds affect different receptors in the brain. Some block dopamine, some raise it. Some use seratonin receptors. It's why meds affect each person differently, and also why finding a 'cure' for bp is difficult.

Enough geeking out for me :)
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