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Suggest Treatment For Bipolar Depression

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Posted on Mon, 17 Feb 2014
Question: I am currently under going allopathic treatment for bipolardepression taking lithosun400sr,lametec50dt,alprazolam0.5. I am worried about side effects. Is there ayurvedic solution for me? Pl. advise.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer: No Detailed Answer: Hello XXXX Welcome to WWW.WWWW.WW Ayurveda does not have medicines that can treat mental illnesses. Bipolar disorder can not be treated with plant extracts and herbal preparations. All of the ayurvedic medicines have proven ill effects on kidneys and liver on the long run, according to a recent study, more than 50% of chronic kidney diseases in India are due to such herbal medicines. Please don't fall for the false claims of ayurveda, the safety and efficacy of these preparations is never tested as rigorously as for the modern evidence based medicines. Even the modern medicines have side effects, but the side effects are well known, and we know what medicine cause what effects and what side effects. In your case, if you have good control with the medicines you are taking, then you should continue taking these medicines, if you stop taking these medicines, then the quality of life will deteriorate so badly that you will not even know you will get better if you take medicines. The question here is of the cost and benefit analysis, is the benefit of taking these modern medicines more, will the quality of life be better if you take these medicines, and what will be the cost for that quality of life you are willing to make. You decide on that, in my mind, it is quite clear that the benefits far outweigh the cost. Hope this answers your question, please feel free to write back to me if you need further clarification. Wishing you good health. Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (13 hours later)
I wanted my query to be answered by psychiatrist. Currently I am currently taking treatment from Dr. XXXXXXX shah MD psy. In leeiavati hospital mumbai. Tks for the advice, please let me know about advancement in modern medicine, with minimum side effects or the medicine to counter the side effects or any alternate way to treat me.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (17 hours later)
Brief Answer: Please see below. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXX Thanks for writing back. I am sorry to have disappointed you by picking up your question, I did that on purpose so that you don't get misled by general misconception even among doctors who study modern evidence based medicine about ayurveda, particularly of Indian origin, a great majority of Indian doctors are quite frankly in support of outdated systems of medicine such as homeopathy and ayurveda, which have been on many occasions been proved to be nothing more than placebos at best and very detrimental in certain cases, to say the least. Now to answer your question. Modern medicine is an ever expanding universe of knowledge, and controlled clinical trials are underway which are studying quite a few medicines for use in bipolar affective disorder, I will list out a few of the promising medicines that are currently being investigated to treat bipolar disorder. 1. Tamoxifen: It is an antiestrogen, it inhibits the protein kinase C (PKC), findings suggest that activation of this PKC cascade is responsible for release of neurotransmitter Dopamine, which is responsible for mania in bipolar disorder, so by inhibiting that pathway, it will enhance the effects of Lithium, as an adjunct therapy, Tamoxifen has shown very positive results in a recent randomized, double blinded control trial, but more studies need to be done on the long term use of this medicine. 2. Pentazocine: Manic symptoms were reduced 1 hour after each dose (44% after the first dose, and 41% after the second dose). 3. Allopurinol: Has also shown very positive results in the initial trails and is currently is under investigation for long term, maintenance therapy. 4. N-acetylcysteine (NAC): In patients with BP, a subgroup analysis found that NAC led to remission of manic symptoms. Most studies, however, suggest that NAC has more robust effects on depressive symptoms. However, important point to take home is that, still the drug of choice for mood stabilizing is LITHIUM, and in the proper therapeutic doses, it does not cause any major side effects which you are worried about. As you must be knowing, bipolar disorder includes both phases of depression and mania, so each phase will be treated with suitable antidepressants or antipsychotics till the crisis subsides. I could list all the references and more drugs that are under investigation, but I think it is beyond the scope of this discussion and frankly a burden on your part to know all that. I hope I have done justice to your question and I would be delighted to help you further if you need it. Wishing you happy life and good health. Warm regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Yogesh D

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 1122 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Bipolar Depression

Brief Answer: No Detailed Answer: Hello XXXX Welcome to WWW.WWWW.WW Ayurveda does not have medicines that can treat mental illnesses. Bipolar disorder can not be treated with plant extracts and herbal preparations. All of the ayurvedic medicines have proven ill effects on kidneys and liver on the long run, according to a recent study, more than 50% of chronic kidney diseases in India are due to such herbal medicines. Please don't fall for the false claims of ayurveda, the safety and efficacy of these preparations is never tested as rigorously as for the modern evidence based medicines. Even the modern medicines have side effects, but the side effects are well known, and we know what medicine cause what effects and what side effects. In your case, if you have good control with the medicines you are taking, then you should continue taking these medicines, if you stop taking these medicines, then the quality of life will deteriorate so badly that you will not even know you will get better if you take medicines. The question here is of the cost and benefit analysis, is the benefit of taking these modern medicines more, will the quality of life be better if you take these medicines, and what will be the cost for that quality of life you are willing to make. You decide on that, in my mind, it is quite clear that the benefits far outweigh the cost. Hope this answers your question, please feel free to write back to me if you need further clarification. Wishing you good health. Regards.