need to know what drug..can be taken with lithium for the ( s.a.d.) deppreshion??

[jimgreg]

ive read alot last 2 days on this sad deppreshion they sell lights box lights..starting at 2500 lux - 10,000 lux..but you have to get at the least 2500 lux to help you..look into it for 30 min a day..will help all ur symptoms..there very expensive..isint there a drug that people that have bipolar can take to lesson this deppreshion in the winter monthes..we know that we cant take ssri,s cuz it makes us maic!!!  the MS helps the mood to stay stable..what does the S.A.D. do to someone thats already taking a MS...thanks james

[BipolarBear75]

Hi, I am on lithium (1200 mg) too.....it is a mood stabilizer but anti manic....my pdoc added lamictal (50mg-I actually don't think my dose will be enough for the winter but...higher mg gives me headaches...but that is just me)  to it because it is a mood stabilizer but anti depressive....so together they take care of both sides of it. See if your gp will add that to the mix. It might be worth a try.

[jimgreg]

SO IN OTHER WORDS IM GOING TO BE DEPPRESED THIS WINTER??  MIGHT NOT BE AS BAD HAVING A MS IN ME THIS YEAR WERS LAST YEAR I DIDNT..when i took the celexa with no lithium..it made me very manic..uncontrollable

[irishwriter]

i have found that the adverse effects of ad's occurs when there is no mood stabiliser in the mix. i found myself very agitated, suicidal and in self harm mode on ad's alone. adding in lithium and xanax and more recently zyprexa seems to be a better mix. no desire to self mutilate anyway. and am better able to deal with the desire to be dead. i now hide all implements that could be used and lock myself in my room until the night is over. criteria for meds for me woudl be. do i need them, do they work and can i live with any side effects. beyond that i just hope you find one tht works for you. best of luck with it.

[monkeyc]

Michael is correct - An SSRI will not automatically effect every BP.  A number can however be affected which is why it is my opinion that such a drug should only be prescribed by a psychiatrist and monitored carefully.  

James does not have a pdoc right now which is why I was concerned about use of SSRI's .

A non SSRI anti depressant is likely the best treatment for James as he only has a family doctor right now.

I am in the same boat as I myself now need an AD and my psych is trying to work out an effective therapy as I have a proven reaction to SSRI drugs.

There's nothing wrong with taking both drugs if you need them  - I freely admit that my strident feeling on SSRI's stems from an extremely bad ride on SSRI drugs and having seen a number of BP's undergo the same I always advise BP's to speak to their pdoc and think carefully about drug choices.

This is especially true for BP's in Australia where I am because Prozac is one of the most over prescribed drugs here and its the first thing most doctors reach for when the word depression comes up.

SNRI drugs such as Wellbutrin appear to be safer for BP's than SSRI's based on current research so that might work as well.

[Jikan]

Namaste,

An SSRI or tricyclic anti-depressant will not automatically cause a manic phase in those with bipolar disorder. As a matter of fact, many with bipolar disorder also suffer from major depressive disorder and treat it with anti-depressants.

Light boxes are effective for some individuals suffering from seasonal affective disorder, but don't work for everyone.

In your case the proper dosage of an anti-depressant might be the appropriate course of treatment.

This is a matter that needs to be discussed with your mental health provider.

I suffer from both bipolar I disorder and major depressive disorder and take both a mood stabilizer and an anti-depressant without any adverse efects.

Like I said, talk with your doctor and I'm sure you can resolve this issue.

Michael