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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Mood stabilisers

dinahmorris
dinahmorris
I have been on 3 mood stabilisers for a year with no apparent benefit-especially on my depression.
Ive heard that mood stabilisers without an antidepressant can make depression worse.
has anyone got any ideas here?
I have recently started on prozac and seem to be feeling a lift.
I want to reduce my mood stabilisers as I am sure the olanzapine is responsible for my weight gain.
Any comments gratefully accepted
deleted_user
deleted_user
They dont work. Shrinks tell you drugs are not the solution to your problems and then send you to the Pharmacy so they can ignore your problems while collecting their kick backs
tommymott
tommymott
I'd want to know what three mood stabilizers you're using since olanzapine isn't a mood stabilizer, it's an atypical anti-psychotic. My experience with meds is that the right ones can be very helpful. I use lithium currently and have used anti-psychotics and tranquilizers in the past. Since I'm BP1 that med regimen suits me. However, when stable on these meds I wind up slightly depressed which for me is a good trade-off. I have used effexor for serious depression but mostly I don't worry about feeling a bit down since all my problems have come out of mania. I'd consult with your doc on what your goals are. All of us behave very differently using the same meds so it could be a diaster to listen to anybody elses advice.
Chanel22
Chanel22
Um yea they do work if you are bipolar and on the right one.. everyone I have been tried on has worked for me.. the better ones for depression have been Lamictal for me.. If you rapid cycle you should try Topamax.. Zyprexa yes can make you gain weight & no it technically is not a mood stabilizer, but an antipsychotic..
Chanel22
Chanel22
& pdocs do not get kick backs - hahhaa.. think about it, especially if a med is generic - how would that work? o_0
deleted_user
deleted_user
I agree with tommymott.
dinahmorris
dinahmorris
Thanks to everyone for helpful input.
What is an atypical antipsychotic used for?
I am on olanzapine, lithium, sodium valproate (epilim) and prozac. Can combinations of drugs give weight gain? Olanzapine with epilim more weight gain than olanzapine by itself, for example...
heretic
heretic
I've had a similar experience, on Geodon without an antidepressant and was grateful the mania went away but the depression seemed to slowly worsen. Added Mirtazapine and felt a bit better but the weight gain was depressing by itself! I don't know that Geodon worsened my depression but...... Ahh, the longing for the perfect combo....
heretic
heretic
I've had a similar experience, on Geodon without an antidepressant and was grateful the mania went away but the depression seemed to slowly worsen. Added Mirtazapine and felt a bit better but the weight gain was depressing by itself! I don't know that Geodon worsened my depression but...... Ahh, the longing for the perfect combo....