Posted by wendy b. on November 7, 2001, at 1:30:37
In reply to Weekenders Syndrome Mood changes, etc., posted by AnneL on November 3, 2001, at 18:04:59
This conversation has been interesting. Thanks for starting it, Ann.
On the cognitive and energetic level, yes, I have experienced the weekender's syndrome, only it happens every night. I am BP II and sleep very little (3 1/2 to 4 hrs sleep per evening). By 7:00 at night, I have no energy or inclination for household chores, so a lot goes undone. Weekends I sleep in.
I understand Mitch's point about being ready, willing and able to go all out and work like a dog for *other people* or organizations, but for myself? I can't motivate myself as much as I wish I could. I too would like to find a work situation that nurtured me as much as I do *it*.
As for the diagnosis question, I would bet that you are BP II as well, your description of the symptoms sounds classic for hypomania. I would 'suggest' this to the pdoc. Read up on bipolar mood disorders on some of the links on psychobabble's pages. Effexor was nasty for me, didn't do anything to energize me at all. I like Wellbutrin much better, and it doesn't induce hypomania like other ADs. Titrate down SLOWLY on the Effexor, 37.5 per week sounds just right. Each time I went down I experienced some bad nausea for about a day or so. When I went off it all the way, I would open the capsule and pour some out, take half of the 37.5 cap for a week, then half of the half, etc. It made a very big difference.
I too have the bleeding problem, and am on a very low-dose oral contraceptive (Mircette), which has both estrogens and progesterone. It has been very helpful. I was on this before my mood swings became really bad, and so I know it's not causing what I'm experiencing now. Even if it were, I'm not going to go back to the amount of bleeding I was having every month... I'm on the lowest dose possible of the hormones, so i just have to live with that. I think if you can get along without the IUD, fine, but rethink it later, IF the bleeding becomes bad again. You have to weigh the risks/benefits. My gynecologist warned me that blood loss like I was having could cause anemia, and tested me for it before I went on the pill (I was ok)...
As for going off the meds entirely, I would not. You do not want to risk the effects of a huge manic episode, or a lower-than-low depression. I would actually increase the meds, and try a relatively low-side effect mood stabilizer like neurontin. I'm on that. While I feel it helped me for a while on its own (10 months), I probably need to add something, like Depakote or lithium. Mitch was very helpful talking to me about this. Seems like one of these could help you too.
Let us know, and take care,
Wendy
poster:wendy b.
thread:83107
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011104/msgs/83416.html