PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

[freckles21]

My 22 year old daughter is under the care of a psychiatrist. The
diagnosis is not finalized. Potential diagnosis may be Bipolar and ADHD. She is taking 500mg Depakote, 300mg Wellburtrin(150 x 2), 2.5mg Zyprexa (about 2 times per week), 100mg Zoloft daily.
I am concerned that the prescriptions are inappropriate taken in combination particularly since the diagnosis is not finalized. Is
this normal procedure and are the drugs appropriate for her potential diagnosis? She is 5'6" and 120lbs and a college student.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

What you described would be considered a very aggressive approach to the problem which may well be justified if her symptoms and mental state are such that she is very agitated and having odd or unusual thoughts that have to be rapidly controlled to protect her.

If that is the case, the exact diagnosis will only be clear once she is through the acute phase of the illness by which time the medications should be diminished to one or two.

If you are still concerned you are fully within your rights to ask for a second psychiatric consultation to make sure that your daughter is not being over treated.  These medications are compatible if the doctor is expert in the use of them and if they are carefully monitored, but they are powerful, and always potential dangerous.

[drsal]

Yes, it is common for people with bipolar disorder to be prescribed a neuroleptic (antipsychotic) such as zeldox or zyprexa... this is to control the manic phase of the illness.

[Unnilhexium]

My psychiatrist told me that manic phases slowly makes your brain cells work slower, worstening their condition on long term (I don't know exactly how, and what does she consider "long term"). Is this true?...How can be prevented besides trying as hard as possible (through medications, for example)to avoid entering into this phase. Is there any medication whith proven properties of protecting brain cells from suffering this damage?

[Unnilhexium]

Which anti-depressants doesn't make you cyclate (or however it is written in english) besides wellbutrin and citalopram? I make this question because it's too easy for my to enter to manic phase if a take the wrong medications. For example: I was taking lamotrigine, clonazepam, lithium, and the doctor added sibutramine...The results were awfull, I treated other people like animals, I became too irritable, too agressive, no one could get near to me, etc. Something that later my doctor described as "mixed state" and I also would like to avoid not taking the "wrong" medications.

[Unnilhexium]

Another thing, It is normal for someone who suffer from bipolar disorder to be prescribed, besides mood stabilizers and other things (Lamotrigine, clonazepam, lithium and flupentixol), Zeldox?. I've read it's used for schyzophrenia, but I don't understand why was I prescribed of that neuroleptic/anti-psychotic.

[ssri]

First of all I would like to say is,ALL individuals who are taking phsychiatric medications should take the time to investigate all side affects that are listed.SSRI antidepressants have a high rate of producing mania, they can also cause phsychosis and suicidal ideation and suicide. a 1991 yale study showed 15%of new onset of self-mutilation!!!!!!!!! TWOYEARS AGO MY DAUGHTER NEARLY LOST HER LIFE TO AN ANTIDEPRESSANT INDUCED PSYCHOSIS!!!!!!! YOU SHOULD ALS KNOW THAT THESE MEDS ARE NOT FDA APPROVED FOR THE USE IN CHILDREN THERE SAFETY AND EFFICACY HAVE NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED. MY DAUGHTER DIDNT HAVE A MENTAL ILLNESS SHE HAD LYME DISEASE.AS A MOTHER, IM TELLING ALL MOTHERS THESE DRUGS ARE NOT SAFE FOR OUR CHILDREN. I PRAY I HAVE SAVED AT LEAST ONE CHILD' LIFE!!!!!!

[Vepa]

I am 55 years old and I am taking Lithium carbonate for almost ten years. Was only just with 43 years old that the diagnosis was take, after a long maniac phase (1 year, and at this phase they gave me strong antidepressives during 4 months. My family has this disease, especially women. A younger sister have had the first crisis with 18 years old, and with psocotic aspects.
I continue with Lithium only and without any problems, except a non function of thyroid.
What opinion have you about herditary connection and the also L

[princesscooi]

I am 24 and and can understand your concern their is also a questional diagnosis of Bi polar with me. I hope that you get to read my message I've suffered from depression for as long as I can remember nothing ever worked I've probly been on 20 different anti depressants. I was on 225mg of Effexor when my family dr. sent me to see a psychiatrist because i was showing signs of mania. What he did was take me off the anti depressent because he felt that the bi polar was caused by the anti depressent. I know feel stable on Lithium. Research the use of anti deppressents for treating bi polar that might be the whole problem

[amk627]

In my opinion, holy **** that sounds like a lot of medications when the diagnosis is not final, if she were my daughter and I do have three, I would get a second and possibly a third opinion before I would let her take so much meds. It might be what she needs and therfore a good idea, but it also might not be, just make sure is all I am saying.
She is so young, just check out your options...

[Peagee]

Can she ask for a specific named 'second opinion' - ie, could she ask for the opinion of Peter Breggin, Joseph Glenmullen or David Healy for instance? Or would she have to accept another  opinion from a contact referred by the first?

Just in case its the latter option, she could email ***@****
and I'm sure he'd help in some way or other.  If its the first option then she might even be able to engage him for that second opinion.

Paula

[Peagee]

contact ***@**** - he will help.  Strangely, messages posted hours ago haven't shown up.  LOL - will this one?