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joe7usmc
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About two months ago or so my doctor prescribed me Gabapentin. I was on lithium for a while but had trouble swallowing the pills for some reason. Now I started Gabapentin and I feel it's not working that great. I started on 600mg twice a day and now I am on 600mg four times a day. My doctor prescribed it in place of a mood stabilizer (lithium) and it stikes me odd that its actually an anti convulsant. Is anyone else out there on or has been on Gabapentin or an anti-convulsant for bp? Can you share your experiences with me? I feel like since I started taking it my symptons have been worse, not better. |
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zinnia
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is there another name for it? i've never even heard of it. is it a mood stabilizer? if not, what is it? i feel like i've been on every med there is, so i should know, but i don't...lol...tell more and hopefully we can help. Well behaved women rarely make history.
Thou canst not disturb a flower without the troubling of a star...from "Troubling a Star", by Madelaine L'Engle...we all affect one another by our words and actions...it is our choice whether to do so purposefully and positively, or carelessly and hurtfully...may we all bring to one another the peace that we seek...
"if you want others to be happy, practice compassion. if you want to be happy, practice compassion" the Dahli Laama
Peace-
Zinnia
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joe7usmc
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It's actually an anti convulsant, not a mood stabilizer. I'm not exactly sure how it's supposed to work as a mood stabilizer but that's what my doctor says. And supposedly, the va (veteran's hospital) get the newest drugs to use. At least that's what my social worker says. Then again the va does pay him lol. So I don't even know if its used publicy for bp yet.
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zinnia
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i've been on anti-convulsants for this disorder and they've never worked for me. would pdoc be receptive to some other suggestions from you? maybe you could do some research here about what seems to work for others...it's tough to find that combo... Well behaved women rarely make history.
Thou canst not disturb a flower without the troubling of a star...from "Troubling a Star", by Madelaine L'Engle...we all affect one another by our words and actions...it is our choice whether to do so purposefully and positively, or carelessly and hurtfully...may we all bring to one another the peace that we seek...
"if you want others to be happy, practice compassion. if you want to be happy, practice compassion" the Dahli Laama
Peace-
Zinnia
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joe7usmc
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Okay, so the anti convulsants don't work for you either. at least i'm not the only one. What about risperadone and Wellbutrin? Those are the other two in my mix. Have you had any experience with those? |
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Gypsy
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Hi Joe, I have been on Lithium a couple of times, now, and It seems to work for me better than anything else. I am also on Lamictal. My son took Respirdal, and it worked really well for him. I can't take any antidepressants. I get really manic on them. Have you told your pdoc about how this new med effects you? If you have, maybe you could get a second opinion. I know you might be limited at the VA. God Bless,Gypsy |
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joe7usmc
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i'm actually going on thursday to see a new doc. Even though i'm out of work right now I have benefits till end of june i think. I've told my pdoc about this meds effect on me and he wanted to give it a little more time. Personally I think it's been long enough. It's been, by my account, at least two months. Maybe when I see him on wednesday, he will see that it's not working for me. The only thing that concerns me is that if this new doc on thursday says that I should change meds (hopefully after she talks it over with my va doc) that if I don't go back to work soon, i'll loose my benefits and come July, will I be out of luck
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zinnia
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i take Wellbutrin and it's been great for me. trick is, i added adderall to the mix with the abilify and wellbutrin. apparently, i learned after much research, that wellbutrin is the least likely of the ssri's to send you into mania, but it's the weakest as far as the depression. the adderall, usually used to treat adhd, which i don't have, is used to "augment" the wellbutrin. it's all been a great combo for me. no. the anticonvulsants never worked for me and often did more harm than good. you have a right to insist on stopping a med. if you get a little forceful, but not nasty, they usually listen. sorry you're going through this. it sucks to try to get the right combo. Well behaved women rarely make history.
Thou canst not disturb a flower without the troubling of a star...from "Troubling a Star", by Madelaine L'Engle...we all affect one another by our words and actions...it is our choice whether to do so purposefully and positively, or carelessly and hurtfully...may we all bring to one another the peace that we seek...
"if you want others to be happy, practice compassion. if you want to be happy, practice compassion" the Dahli Laama
Peace-
Zinnia
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joe7usmc
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Thanks zinnia, your contribution helps. I've been on a bunch of different antideppressants and wellbutrin seems to work ok. I was diagnosed as depressed for a long time before they discovered that I was bipolar. I still seem to fall into depressions quite often so maybe the wellbutrin isn't working for me that well. I might not make any moves on the meds till i talk to the new pdoc on thursday |
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zinnia
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good idea. i tend to fall more towards the depressed side as well. mention the adderall or some other med to augment the wellbutrin. it's beena lifesaver for me. best of luck thurs. i'll be thinking of you. i know it's a struggle and you're havingto be brave, which is hard when you don't feel brave andjust want it all fixed. let me know how it goes, if you wish. peace and love- z. Well behaved women rarely make history.
Thou canst not disturb a flower without the troubling of a star...from "Troubling a Star", by Madelaine L'Engle...we all affect one another by our words and actions...it is our choice whether to do so purposefully and positively, or carelessly and hurtfully...may we all bring to one another the peace that we seek...
"if you want others to be happy, practice compassion. if you want to be happy, practice compassion" the Dahli Laama
Peace-
Zinnia
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