Posted by JahL on January 20, 2001, at 7:59:20
In reply to Re: Yay, found a good psychiatrist, new diagnosis, posted by Chris A. on January 19, 2001, at 15:34:15
> > So, if you are young when you first experience depression, and an SSRI seems like a miracle in less than 3 weeks, talk to your doctor about considering a bipolar spectrum diagnosis.
>
> Abby,
> You said it so well. Amen to that statement! My health and life have been extemely negatively affected because doc after doc missed my bipolar spectrum dx and inappropriately prescribed ADs time after time. The first time I took Prozac was my first noticeable hyomanic period (I noticed it, called my pDoc and he just told me to cut the dose from 20 to 10 mgs). Then it dumped me to the very bottom and I have not been at all well since. The cycling started and has only accelerated despite ongoing aggressive treatment. Beware, anyone out there. If in doubt choose an anticonvulsant or low dose lithim over ADs.> When anyone starts speaking of their antidepessant "poop out" I get scared for them. More or different ADs are rarely the answer. If I were practicing that would be a warning sign to prescribe a mood stabilizing med immediately. Sorry if I've offended anyone, but the message needs to get out loud and clear before more people die or develop increasingly severe brain disorders. I have no known history of bipolar disorder or mental illness of any kind in my family. That's just to say that you're not "off the hook" just because of lack of family history. Early depression is a red flag as well as are ADD and ADHD.
> Chris A.
> (standing on my soapbox)Mmmm... sounds like you're talking about me.
The Valproic Acid I started a few weeks ago is my 1st AED & after multiple AD failures, is the 1st drug to offer sustained mood improvement.
HOWEVER it does nothing 4 amotivation/concentration difficulties etc. My question is; might the 'Prozac miracle' you allude to, be re-attainable now my mood is 'stabilized' (I had brief, overnight remissions on 3 SSRIs), by restarting an AD???
Thanks,
Jah.
poster:JahL
thread:51920
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010111/msgs/52075.html