Posted by MB on July 18, 2001, at 2:11:29
In reply to Best Tolerated Anti-Convulsant for BP, posted by Mr.Scott on July 16, 2001, at 17:43:27
> New doc with new DX same old drugs...
>
> It is possible that I suffer from a mixed bipolar II state, although until now I have always thought of myself as a chronically anxious depressive. Lithium and Depakote are out of the question for me as I find them to have obnoxious side effects. Does anyone know where I might turn next after these options? I am interested in Topamax and lamictal but have no experience or knowledge about them.
>
> If anyone has a moment to post let me know which I might try first.
>
> A bit more about me first..
> I am almost always depressed and anxious SSRI's help a little as do benzos but SSRI's also have many side effects for me and cause agitation and restlessness, had a history of childhood conduct disorder (possible ADHD). I have a normal to HIGH sex drive, if anything I overeat and oversleep, but would not if I wasn't on SSRI's and benzo's. My mind is NEVER at rest always filled with activity and often agony. I am extremely tired and am highly obsessive. A part of my brain is CLEARLY overactive. While my body feels as though it has been run over by a truck. I have tried to commit suicide seriously once about 5 years ago, and I frequently think about it. Every once in while I wake up feeling great then I begin to worry about bipolar disorder and my day is again ruined in a matter of hours. I have never had ANY florid MANIC symptoms (ie. Feeling godlike, and thinking I'm Jesus). I been been depressed for about 10 years now with several periods of feeling good. I did have a SERIOUS cocaine problem at one time.
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> I currently hate my life, my girlfriend of 5 years and I broke up 8 weeks ago, I don't much care for my job, and I spend too much money (no discipline/impulsive).
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> Please help me find some direction. I'm thinking anticonvulsants but these docs aren't half as good as their patients I'm finding..
>
> Mr.ScottYou just described *my* problems to the "t" including the cocaine (although I used other illicit substances too). Let me know what works for you. The fatigue, feeling like you've been "hit by a truck," depressed most of the time with periods of seeming normalcy, no obvious manic phases, agitation with the SSRIs...these symptoms are the same that I'm dealing with. Good luck to you! Let me know what helps you...it might help me also. After 10 years of being on the psych-med merry-go-round, I don't think I could cope being a pdocs guinnea pig another time. If I knew a general direction in which to go, it might be a different story. Do you think the bipolar II label fits you? I don't think it fits me: I've never had a decreased need for sleep, no euphoria. Just a gut-wrenching, heart-pounding, obsessive anxiety marked by malaise and fatigue, alternating with deep periods of depression where I stay in bed for days.
poster:MB
thread:70361
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010714/msgs/70597.html