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Input from anyone on ANTICONVULSANT

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Bipolar Disorder
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Posted 8/29/2013 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys and gals.


Does anyone currently or have you took one of these? I need to get off the olanzapne for side effects. I have tryed lamotrogine in the past, but honestly it didnt after awhile help me sleep and I had 6 months insomnia. So I went back to the olanzapine after a little over a year on that anti c.. I am wondering if anyone feels any certain one really knocks you out, or helps you sleep. I will check the profile of any suggestions. I am working with my doctor but I want to research this best I can to have my say.
Posted 9/1/2013 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
No only anticonvulsants are good for bipolar, so are antipsychotics.

Other anticonvulsants are Tegretol and Topomax (sp?)

Zyprexa is a common antipsychotic as well as Seroquel.

If you have ongoing issues with every drug you trial, get a referral to a haemotologist/metabolic specialist/hepatic specialist to check your liver pathways; which one's work and which one's don't. Your prescribing doctor has information about what liver pathways various drugs use, and they can be guided by this when prescribing. It is a very long, expensive process. Trialling as many drugs as possible is the first step before going down that road.

There is also risperidone (sp?) and a number of others that I can't remember just atm. Maybe googling anticonvulsants and antipsychotics might provide you with a greater list of options to trial.

Goooooood luck!!!

Jade
Posted 9/1/2013 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hey thank you for the reply. I have googled and done research, but also was hoping for a little more input. This is not the most active forum. Lamictal would be my choice but then I think of the insomnia and I cant go through that again. I next think of depakote because it can cause weight gain and make you tired which I could both use (ironically olanzapine doesnt make me gain much weight). On the other hand it can make you lose hair and I am already hanging on to my hair for dear life. I dont know what to do. But the side effects from olanzapine are potentitally irreversable and if they get worse it just isnt worth it so I am coming off of it as soon as I go into my doctor. I will look for his input as well but just was hoping to get more input from anyone and thier experience
Posted 9/7/2013 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
I think Living Well mentioned risperidone, which I beleive is the generic of Temazepam, which I was on for 11yrs for chronic insomnia. Seroquel gave me nightmare, Trazodone gave a panic attack that landed me in the hospital. lamictal, weight gain, pretty much exactly what yours said. Temazepam is anticonvulsant and not meant for long term use but, it works!! I finally ended up going to a Hypnotherapist after I couldn't get a doctor to prescribe it anymore and despite being Highly Sceptical, 1 session cured my insomnia for 12 months! Of course at $125.00 hour, it would have to work that long shocked
That's my experience, I hope it helps, and don't stop looking on your own, doctors are stuck in whats in the "book" but the good ones will work with you. yeah
Posted 9/8/2013 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
There are some people who want to stick with their symptoms and will say "yes, but" to any suggestion and that is an entirely valid position to adopt.
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