Posted by fluffy on January 17, 2003, at 17:56:00
In reply to Re: I think I'm a lost cause to Katy, posted by denise528 on January 17, 2003, at 14:59:02
> Hi Katy,
>
> Like you antidepressants used to work for me up until about 4 years ago. I stupidly came off them, thinking I could always go back on them and they'd work their magic straight away. I really regret coming off them as if I hadn't I don't feel I would be in this position now.Yeah--
I know what you mean, Denise. I thought the exact same thing. Like, DAMN! If I had just taken the Paxil and just not questioned why, this would have never happened. Well unfortunately, it seems that SSRI's can exascerbate Bipolar disorder--bringing on "mixed states". which was what happened to me-- I was very suicidal and unable to sleep--I had massive agitation and a sense of unreality. Or--they can cause people to shoot straight into mania. I was recently diagnosed bipolar II, and was taken off the antidepressants (zoloft, and before Lexapro and Paxil...). I cycled out for awhile like a rollercoaster, and then started feeling stable on Tegretol. So far, I'm on a low dose, but I'll probably go up over time, or add something if I start having "an episode". I have also searched the web, hoping to find the magic answer. The only site that made any sense to me was one on Bipolar II...I'll send you the link.
>> I'm going to see another psychiatrist but I think they're all pretty much the same, after all they all have access to the same drugs and their approach is pretty standard (in the UK it is any way. I'd like someone to be a bit more radical and not leave me on a drug for so long. I've been on Lamictal since June and then I went to see my psychiatrist the other week and he then he tells me that 200mg istn't enough. Then why has he left me on it for 5 months without increasing the dose. I think they just get complacent after a while.
>They DO!! You have to stay on those guys and make sure they know how you are feeling. If you can get more frequent appts., that would be great. All psychiatrists are NOT the same!! There are innumerable drug combos that might help you, but THEY are the ones who hold the keys--and yeah--they went to school to learn about the brain. So as much as you may feel like you don't trust your doc right now, try to be patient with the process. I know that when I was spiraling on SSRI's I didn't trust ANYONE!! AND I HATED my doc for it.
Now that I'm stabilized, I still think he's an asshole, but I'm glad he dealt the right hand of drugs to help me for the time being...(and now I'm switching docs..he, he.)I'll send you the link to the site about BP II,,.it's good.
take care,
Keep in touch--I'm thinking about you, even though I've never met you. Your story sounds similar to mine.-- And it DOES get better.
Katy
poster:fluffy
thread:135980
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030113/msgs/136324.html