Posted by g_g_g_unit on August 1, 2009, at 1:41:20
excuse my fickleness, but i was reading thru the SSRI's HAVE DESTABILIZED ME thread and am rethinking seeing a psych now; anyway, i have a few questions first.
after reading thru symptoms, i think that on the surface, i probably present mild bipolar symptoms at the moment - i've never had a manic episode (though i used to get easily addicted to stuff, which im guessing is a coping mechanism in any anxiety disorder?) poor sleep, pain, compromised cognitive functioning (attention + learning difficulties), mood swings (rock back-and-forth between anhedonia and feeling suicidal).
what's been most difficult for me is chicken-and-the-egg stuff: am i depressed cos am i pain (which has a legitimate basis in just completely abusing my body thru computer overuse) or visa versa? ditto with concentration issues, etc.
i have always been anxious & OC, but most of these symptoms presented themselves AFTER going on SSRI's. no SSRI has helped me. i couldn't handle Nardil. my cognitive functioning is/was my most prized asset and i'd happily trade everything else to have that back. since no one will prescribe stims, the only thing left seems to be Parnate, but i am scared about the insomnia since my sleep sucks already.
i know it's not up to others to decide for me, but i was wondering if maybe people here who have been on meds for a long time or received a misdiagnosis for bipolar would suggest i hold off for a little bit, cos i feel a bit trapped at the moment. i also see a lot of my symptoms mirrored in other stuff like endocrine issues, but no GP will test my hormone levels b/c they think i'm a hypochrondriac. i consulted a Naturopathic Doctor yesterday who is going to arrange for more thorough blood testing (possibly heavy metal as well if i can afford it), but it's costly, and i will have to take the process slowly.
i am doing everything to get my pain levels down - fish oil, borage, curcumin - last night i found out glycine works really well for restful sleep. i am thinking of maybe just going on SJW for the time being to help with stress. i have no real responsiblities like school, i'm 23 and live with my parents, so time is on my side for now- i stopped working as a writer until i can get this all sorted out, and have a part-time job to help me. what scares me though is how terrible my congition is (i can barely follow movies, and just forget books as i read them), so if something is genuinely wrong, i dont wanna delay it ...
poster:g_g_g_unit
thread:909595
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090721/msgs/909595.html