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Strattera???
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<blockquote data-quote="smallworld" data-source="post: 59019" data-attributes="member: 2423"><p>Hi Totoro,</p><p></p><p>Neurontin and Gabitril are both anticonvulsants used as mood stabilizers, but they are not first-line mood stabilizers. If my memory serves me correctly, these medications are both mentioned in the latest version of The Bipolar Child (but I'm on vacation and don't have my copy with me). I co-moderate a listserv of parents with BiPolar (BP) kids, and there are several kids who are taking Neurontin and Gabitril for mood stabilization with good results. The reason there was so much interest in Neurontin at one point was because it was said to help with anxiety. But I'm not sure the clinical studies have borne that out. I do think you need to have a discussion with the psychiatrist about why these mood stabilizers instead of the first-line mood stabilizers. Perhaps he's had good results that he can share with you.</p><p></p><p>In terms of Strattera, it is an antidepressant that is used to treat ADHD. Our docs say it only works in about 40 percent of kids with ADHD and are underwhelmed with its efficacy. Common side effects include headache, stomachache, irritability and mood swings (even in kids without BiPolar (BP)). It is worrisome that it is being prescribed for a child with BiPolar (BP) because it can induce mania. My son trialed Strattera before being diagnosed with BiPolar (BP), and it caused 2 full-blown migraines in 3 days. Needless to say, we discontinued it. Now that he's been diagnosed with BiPolar (BP), J's psychiatrist said he would never consider using it for J's ADHD symptoms. Again, I'd ask the psychiatrist why he's focusing on ADHD symptoms when the mood symptoms should be addressed first.</p><p></p><p>Good luck. I hope you can make some headway soon.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="smallworld, post: 59019, member: 2423"] Hi Totoro, Neurontin and Gabitril are both anticonvulsants used as mood stabilizers, but they are not first-line mood stabilizers. If my memory serves me correctly, these medications are both mentioned in the latest version of The Bipolar Child (but I'm on vacation and don't have my copy with me). I co-moderate a listserv of parents with BiPolar (BP) kids, and there are several kids who are taking Neurontin and Gabitril for mood stabilization with good results. The reason there was so much interest in Neurontin at one point was because it was said to help with anxiety. But I'm not sure the clinical studies have borne that out. I do think you need to have a discussion with the psychiatrist about why these mood stabilizers instead of the first-line mood stabilizers. Perhaps he's had good results that he can share with you. In terms of Strattera, it is an antidepressant that is used to treat ADHD. Our docs say it only works in about 40 percent of kids with ADHD and are underwhelmed with its efficacy. Common side effects include headache, stomachache, irritability and mood swings (even in kids without BiPolar (BP)). It is worrisome that it is being prescribed for a child with BiPolar (BP) because it can induce mania. My son trialed Strattera before being diagnosed with BiPolar (BP), and it caused 2 full-blown migraines in 3 days. Needless to say, we discontinued it. Now that he's been diagnosed with BiPolar (BP), J's psychiatrist said he would never consider using it for J's ADHD symptoms. Again, I'd ask the psychiatrist why he's focusing on ADHD symptoms when the mood symptoms should be addressed first. Good luck. I hope you can make some headway soon. [/QUOTE]
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