Posted by Noa on February 12, 2000, at 23:55:37
In reply to Re: Wondering about a couple of things....., posted by Karen on February 12, 2000, at 22:49:06
> > Also, since my doctor put me on Topomax, is it likely that he thinks that I am bipolar? Or do people take Topomax simply as a regular antidepressant?
Some people do take mood stabilizers for unipolar depression. Some doctors conceptualize some depressions as being in the bipolar "family" or spectrum, if they are recurrent/cyclical and of the "atypical features" variety, like the depressive episodes in manic depression. Apparently it isn't uncommon for someone with a cyclical type of depression to have relatives who are bipolar. In my own case, it is a bit of a stretch, but I do have suspicions that my mother's brother might have been bipolar II. My depression is "atypical" and cyclical, and I seem to be responding to lithium. But I have never had any manic episodes. Ask your doctor to explain his thinking about the meds he recommends. Ask what his thinking is about your symptoms. Do you feel comfortable enough with him to do that? You shouldn't have to be guessing what his diagnosis is.
BTW, is the Topomax working?
poster:Noa
thread:21311
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000209/msgs/21314.html