Anyone not take antidepressants?

[zoeee]

Hi all,

Was reading another post and it got me to wondering how many other people do not take an antidepressant with their mood stabilizer?

I have always considered my problem to be with depression. Recently I have found out that some of what I have always considered depression is actually mixed episodes, so I don't know it that makes a difference or not.

I have take several AD's since I was 13... They either stopped working for me or caused what I now know was (hypo)mania.

My doctor knows my history, and I wonder if this is why she has not given me an antidepressant? It hasn't been that long, and this is only the second mood stabilizer I have tried with my current doctor.(Frist Topamax, and now Trileptal) The only other time I was on Depakote ER, but not long enuff to make a comparison, and with a different doctor.

If you can't take an AD, then what works for depression? Do mood stabilizers alone help?

Anyone in the same boat?

Take care everyone,

zoeee

[Ruth6:11]

I was diagnosed Bipolar Type I in 1985 while in a manic phase. While I was stabilized on Lithium I did end up taking an anti-depressant for probably two depressive cycles. (Untreated I would have 2 "down" and 1 "up" or so a year).

After that the Lithium seemed to do it's thing on the depressive side too & I haven't needed anything else since then.
(Although with menopause I should probably be on something - HRT even altho it's supposed to be so bad. Oh well.)

I get my rx from my family physician; no therapy in years although I went so long I could analyze myself anyway!

I am officially termed a "compliant lithium responder" and I know how lucky I am to have found the med that works for me...

[Mikayyla]

My doctor told me that the mood stabilizer Lamictal is excellent for depression and is usually prescribed for bipolars with depression issues. He wanted to put me on it, but I refuse to take a mood stabilizer after a bad experience with depakote. He doesn't give me a hard time about it because he says that the Geodon I take has mood stabilizing properties so the bipolar thing is covered under the Geodon. He prefers that I be on a mood stabilizer and says that if things get worse or I change my mind, that he'd like to put me on Lamictal since it targets depression very well. So if you can't take an antidepressant, ask your doc about Lamictal (or also look up Lamictal on the internet to get more info)

[weasel]

zoeee, i do not take ADs and i am on lamictal. i struggle mostly with the depression side of this illness, and this has worked very well so far, we will see if it gets me through the winter.

[burg]

Removed due to personal reasons, do not wish to have post here