Need info on Medication for Mania

I am in my 36th week of peg plus rib plus 20mg of lexapro for depression. Lately i have been very angry and fly off the handle. I have always been an intense individual and try to avoid pressure. My first teat was at 8weeks and i have been undetec from then till now . I am 1b . I am considering stopping . I did clear quickly and have stayed clear at least 24 weeks until now . I am stage 1 1. I am considering asking my doctor to change my medication from an ssri to something stroger like neurotin or respidal, anyone have any experiece with mood stabilizers while on peg ?
All reasonable responses appreciated
Thanks Kevin

[louisianawomen]

Don't stop. I take .5 ativan 3 times a day. The mood stabs just didn't do it for me and then I take 2.0 at night with Resteril. Ask you doc for different rescue drugs before you stop. You've come too far.

[nitramog]

wellbutaran!! worked very well for me and some frends that recamended it to me. i used it to quit tabaco also! no foggy head very relaxing  i dont have the right spelling i called them happy pills becouse every one around was happy that i ate them??? treatmont sucks but wen your doun its just a crapy memery,  i go agaen in 07

[goldyn]

Ask your doc about ativan its been around forever, and i tell you i woulndt have made through this treatment without it, its rested my mind when i just coulndt slow it down plus helped me get some sleep, you dont have to take it everyday if you dont want to , but i have needed it everyday will do 48/48 friday.

[springsritz]

Thanks
I cant take ativan , i am in recovery but i will ask my doctor what else would work well instead of the lexapro or with the lexapro

[APKhaos]

Its tough to predict what will work well for any one case.

Wellbutrin is a winner. Works quietly - I never have the sense that I have taken anything.

Lexapro was too strange for me. Felt foggy and numbed some of the time.

A DR who knows you & your history might be the best starting point. Start mild, like Wellbutrin. You might be surprised.

[Kalio1]

I tried Lexapro once, it was horrible. I couldn't stand to take it. It caused manic like feelings amongst other bad feelings. Maybe you would be better served by another AD since you can't take Ativan to help with the problems Lexapro ( or tx) seems to be causing?

I know a lot of people say Wellbutrin works for them here on the forum. I know several people on it and they speak highly of it too. Maybe you can speak to your doctor about a switch.
Good luck with it.
Also best of luck to you with your recovery.

[mkeela]

Depakote is a very common "mood stablizer" and works in combo w/AD's or anti-psychotics like serequil. Because Depakote is  through the liver, sometimes they will prescribe Lithium instead because that is through the kidneys. But because you are UND they shouldn't have a problem with the Depakote. My mood swings got so bad the gave me Depakote but w/o an AD, when I complained they just "up'd my dosage". It seems I am at a depressed/mad level all the time now with no swing at all...hahaha. But I only have 11 weeks left of tx so I "think I can, I think I can, I think I can"... all the way till the end. :)

[mkeela]

Oh and Depakote/Lithium are usually prescribed for Bi-Polar disorders and severe mood swings alternating with anger, extreme moods and depression.

[sfbaygirl]

Don't stop meds now, you have come too far to stop now! I get that rage sometimes and it is bad, but I know it is the meds and it won't last forever, thank goodness!

Your chances of SVR with geno 1 are 50% after full 48 weeks. I am sure that 36 weeks will decrease your chances of SVR. I have heard that the meds train our immune system and you need that full 48. Some here go much longer.

You must have had a doozy incident to consider stopping tx now. If you want to share how you feel here, I know we can relate to what you are going through with that Riba rage!

[wMich]

Ditto to what Mkeela stated. You may also want to ask your doc about Topomax (topamax) and Neurontin, both considered helpful with some mood disorders.  - Lee