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Either zipping or Zzzzzzz!
Mon, 02/14/2005 - 23:39Comments
RE: Either zipping or Zzzzzzz!
Submitted by spiz on Sun, 2005-02-13 - 17:06
RE: RE: Either zipping or Zzzzzzz!
Submitted by lorrifm on Sun, 2005-02-13 - 17:23
There has been quite a bit of work done with antiepileptic drugs and mood disorders. If you look at some of the mental health websites or research any of the drugs, you can see that many of the anticonvulsants are being used for both purposes.
In my case it's been awesome as all along my docs have used some form of anticonvulsant along with an antidepressant. It was just a matter of finding something with the best effects and least intolerable side effects. For example, carbatrol literally knocked me out for hours. So no luck there. Depakote wasn't helpful for the seizures but had a calming effect. My moods greatly improved on Lamictal, but I was very sleepy. Anyway, once we got the drugs right, then it was a matter of tweaking the doses.
For me, it's about quality of life... I'm able to work full-time and drive. The seizures are controlled and now and then I can stay up late and enjoy dinner with friends. I don't touch alcohol, my choice, because I don't want to risk possible interactions. Plus alcohol made me sleepy anyway.
My neurologist was more than willing to cooperate with my psychiatrist as far as prescribing meds and handling treatment. In the early days they even contacted each other about prescribing meds and all. I'm a complete person rather than a series of symptoms. That's made all the difference in my condition.
There has been quite a bit of work done with antiepileptic drugs and mood disorders. If you look at some of the mental health websites or research any of the drugs, you can see that many of the anticonvulsants are being used for both purposes.
In my case it's been awesome as all along my docs have used some form of anticonvulsant along with an antidepressant. It was just a matter of finding something with the best effects and least intolerable side effects. For example, carbatrol literally knocked me out for hours. So no luck there. Depakote wasn't helpful for the seizures but had a calming effect. My moods greatly improved on Lamictal, but I was very sleepy. Anyway, once we got the drugs right, then it was a matter of tweaking the doses.
For me, it's about quality of life... I'm able to work full-time and drive. The seizures are controlled and now and then I can stay up late and enjoy dinner with friends. I don't touch alcohol, my choice, because I don't want to risk possible interactions. Plus alcohol made me sleepy anyway.
My neurologist was more than willing to cooperate with my psychiatrist as far as prescribing meds and handling treatment. In the early days they even contacted each other about prescribing meds and all. I'm a complete person rather than a series of symptoms. That's made all the difference in my condition.
RE: Either zipping or Zzzzzzz!
Submitted by lorrifm on Sun, 2005-02-13 - 09:42
I ask this because of my own diagnosis: is there any possibility of bipolar disorder? I am treated by both a psychiatrist and and a neurologist--- finally!!!--- and that's made all the difference.
The mood swings and the partial seizures can coexist within the same brain. Who knew? It took a long time to find that out, much less to get proper health care. But I know the days that never ended because I had so much energy... I baked endlessly, made quilts, whatever the *thing* of the moment was. Who needs to sleep??
Then, there periods when I could barely get out of bed, taking a shower was next to impossible, just getting my kids out to school was a monumental task. Couldn't figure it out.
But it took years to come to this... I hope for you that if this is your situation, it doesn't take as long to get the help. Life can be so much better. I wish so many years hadn't been wasted. But life is better now, and I'm enjoying it.
Good luck :).
I ask this because of my own diagnosis: is there any possibility of bipolar disorder? I am treated by both a psychiatrist and and a neurologist--- finally!!!--- and that's made all the difference.
The mood swings and the partial seizures can coexist within the same brain. Who knew? It took a long time to find that out, much less to get proper health care. But I know the days that never ended because I had so much energy... I baked endlessly, made quilts, whatever the *thing* of the moment was. Who needs to sleep??
Then, there periods when I could barely get out of bed, taking a shower was next to impossible, just getting my kids out to school was a monumental task. Couldn't figure it out.
But it took years to come to this... I hope for you that if this is your situation, it doesn't take as long to get the help. Life can be so much better. I wish so many years hadn't been wasted. But life is better now, and I'm enjoying it.
Good luck :).