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What Causes Mania And Severe Mood Swings Despite Taking Lithium And Oxcarbazepine?

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Posted on Thu, 3 Dec 2015
Question: My wife started jogging recently and has lost (15 lbs) (total wieght is160 now) she is dipolar II and has been taking lithium(800mg) and oxcarbazepine(1500mg)for 1yr. Since the jogging her mania an has suddenly come back with a vengeance. Could this be caused by the lose of weight at the same med levels?

Im wondering if any one is looking at this. Ive not recieved an email and its been almost a half hour
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Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Increase the dose of lithium.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.

I can understand your concerns for your wife.

I do not think that loss of weight could have precipitated mania.

Bipolar disorder is an unpredictable condition. Mood swings can occur even with regular drug intake.

In my opinion, it would have been better to raise the dose of lithium. As lithium is a much better mood stabilizer than oxcarbazepine.

You have mentioned that she is also taking trazodone. It is an antidepressant drug and can precipitate mania. So, it should be stopped.

Kindly discuss this with her doctor.
Hope this helps.
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. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2144 Questions

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What Causes Mania And Severe Mood Swings Despite Taking Lithium And Oxcarbazepine?

Brief Answer: Increase the dose of lithium. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to HCM. I can understand your concerns for your wife. I do not think that loss of weight could have precipitated mania. Bipolar disorder is an unpredictable condition. Mood swings can occur even with regular drug intake. In my opinion, it would have been better to raise the dose of lithium. As lithium is a much better mood stabilizer than oxcarbazepine. You have mentioned that she is also taking trazodone. It is an antidepressant drug and can precipitate mania. So, it should be stopped. Kindly discuss this with her doctor. Hope this helps. Regards.