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Veteran Member
Member Since Jul 2012
Location: Canada
Posts: 335
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Aug 18, 2012 at 06:18 PM
#1
Hello there,
I apologize, this is a bit long winded. When I had a severe meltdown, my first one, two years ago, the pdoc recommended that I go off Paxil because he didn't think it was working anymore. After the first year, the diagnosis changed from major depression to bipolar II. However, being without Paxil has been two years of hell. When I asked to go back on it several times, he explained the preference and clinical reasons why SSRI's and bipolar don't mix well. So I have been through a few SNRI's (I think this is the acronym, but I may have it wrong) which I was told were better for my diagnosis. I have tried wellbutrin and effexor. Last summer I was so hypomanic on the wellbutrin and effexor that I lost 35 pounds, and I am not overweight. I was a skeleton and I was grey. I requested Paxil three weeks ago, since I was heading down the road of another depression. It has been a little more than three weeks, and the past three days have been different. Even my friends have told me that there is a noticeable difference in me this past week. The light has returned in my eyes. So my question is, why are the SSRI's frowned upon? I see that several of you are on prozac, zoloft etc. I don't know what it is about my brain chemistry, but I do much better with an SSRI. Thanks for you answers in advance. 
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Legendary
Member Since May 2010
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Aug 18, 2012 at 06:20 PM
#2
I'm not too sure, think they have a greater chance of inducing mania... I could be wrong tho.
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 Blue Poppy
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Member
Member Since Aug 2012
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Aug 18, 2012 at 06:34 PM
#3
I think It's because thy can induce or make mania worse. I also think that they sometimes dont work long term with bp. I say this because it's one of the reasons my pdoc mentioned bp as a diagnosis to me. I've been on Prozac, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Pristiq and combos of them. All which seem to work and then crap out after a while.
But if it works for you, I don't know why you shouldn't be on them. Maybe someone who is better versed in meds will help you out. |
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Blue Poppy
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Poohbah
Member Since Jan 2012
Posts: 1,122
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Aug 18, 2012 at 08:43 PM
#4
As far as I know it's all antidepressants that are avoided with bipolar. That's in the "ideal" world where a mood stabilizer on it's own does the trick or when you're not depressed. They're not always effective at helping bipolar depression nor preventing it and can make things worse, that includes SNRIs and others. Of course, psychiatry is all about trial and error so, when the first approach doesn't work, another one is attempted and the "rules" are broken on an case by case basis.
I haven't read anything about SNRIs working better for bipolar depression but, as a second choice after a trial or two on an SSRI makes sense. In case you're curious, Wellbutrin isn't an SNRI or SSRI, it's in its own class. It affects norepinephrine and dopamine. That's why it decreases appetite and is often prescribed with an SSRI and helps with quitting smoking and was marketted as Zyban. Same drug, different name to increase sales. It's also a third or fourth line drug for ADHD because of the stimulant effects. SNRIs approved for depression are Cymbalta, Effexor and Pristiq. Pristiq is actually Effexor but, a more potent version that was put on the market because the patent on Effexor ran out, it's just a drug company scheme to keep profits. A lot like Symbyax (which is just Zyprexa and Prozac) released after both drugs were off patent. Enough of the tangent! |
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Blue Poppy
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Legendary Wise Elder
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Location: Tennessee
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Aug 18, 2012 at 09:34 PM
#5
SSRI's flip me right into full blown mania .
__________________ Helping others gets me out of my own head ~ |
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Blue Poppy
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Magnate
Member Since Feb 2011
Location: Antarctica
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Aug 18, 2012 at 10:00 PM
#6
I took a SSRI by itself and had hypomanic symptoms, but when I took it with a mood stabilizer I didn't have problems.
__________________ "You got to fight those gnomes...tell them to get out of your head!" |
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Blue Poppy
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Veteran Member
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Location: Canada
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Aug 18, 2012 at 11:44 PM
#7
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Veteran Member
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Location: Canada
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Aug 18, 2012 at 11:45 PM
#8
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Veteran Member
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Location: Canada
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Aug 18, 2012 at 11:46 PM
#9
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Magnate
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Location: Australia
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Aug 19, 2012 at 12:50 AM
#10
SNRIs are more likely to put you into mania than SSRIs because they (SNRIs) affect both the serotonin and noradrenalin were as SSRIs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Don't know why your doc won't let you try them 
__________________  I can do all things through him who gives me strength
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Veteran Member
Member Since Jul 2012
Location: Canada
Posts: 335
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Aug 19, 2012 at 01:11 PM
#11
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I did not know this! I am prepared now to try all of them if I have to! Thanks for this.
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This is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.|
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