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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by whitewave on July 29, 2002, at 17:11:37
Ok here we go suffered from depression since infancy. (according to Mother) My nickname as child was Middy-Moody. I have been treated for depression for 15 years with meds about 10 (I'm 30 now) I have been insomniac since childhood and had feelings of "euphoric bursting" hypersensitivity to sound, smell, light migraines in adolescence some abuse of alcohol nothing I would consider "hypomanic" but definite irritability and feelings of rage. I was hospitalized this year for 4 days because became suicidal (also had cutting behavior as teenager, but sexual abuse, I just had to get it OUT) 3 previous suicide attempts, but everyone would tell you I am a happy person. I am on Topomax 300 mg a day Effexor 300 mg a day and Ativan as needed. I am feeleing better, I guess. But not that much better. Will my pdoc continue to increase meds? At what point should I recommend trying something new? I refuse to take Lithium or Depakote. Any other BP's with this drug combo who can offer some insight? Been on meds since March with slow increases. Am I BP? I have tried a slew of other SSRI's to no effect or detrimentally. Paxil, Zoloft, Amitrptiline, sorry about the misspellings, Pamelor, etc. Help please!
Posted by Squiggles on July 29, 2002, at 17:29:27
In reply to Need help please confused about BP and Meds, posted by whitewave on July 29, 2002, at 17:11:37
Dear Whitewave,
I am sorry you have had a rough time.
I am dx'd bipolar myself, and at least
for a period of time i experienced abrupt
fluctuations in depression and then elation;
That's typical of bipolar - do you have that?
Do you feel very depressed, but other times,
or very near that episode, swing to a very
happy mood?First you have to get the right diagnosis.
It is up to you of course what drug to take,
but if you are bipolar there is nothing
better than lithium, imho.That;s my input so far as i know.
Squiggles
Posted by littlebaldy29 on July 30, 2002, at 15:01:13
In reply to Need help please confused about BP and Meds, posted by whitewave on July 29, 2002, at 17:11:37
I would say that you exhibit the symptoms of manic depression (bipolar). I can empathize with your medication choices, I also refuse to take lithium and depakote made me very ill.
Lithium can be good for some people but I have found in my research that people who rapid cycle, have mixed states, who have waited a long time to get treated, and who have chemical dependency issues do not respond as well to it.
Anti-convulsants are effective for these types of people but the side effects can be unpleasant and the drugs are older. Usually blood levels have to be monitored and the drugs are metabolized through the kidneys or the liver, so special doctor visits are required. Depakote is an example of an anti-convulsant.
Anti-depressants are tricky for Manic depressives because they tend to make you manic especially SSRI's (i.e Prozac) and tri-cyclics (tofranil)but there are newer ones that can be effective.
Anti-psychotics can be good for anxiety and some have good anti-depressant qualities to them. I take risperdal and topamax. I would not recommend Zyprexa because of the side effect profile (mainly excessive weight gain).
You will need to access your condition a little better so that your doctor can maybe try some different meds. How often are your "bursts of energy" and depression? Is your thinking delusional? Do you also have anxiey problems?
Also figure out if your are a rapid cycler or not. If you are, then you will have a legitimate excuse to never have to take lithium if you do indeed have manic depression. Hope this helps!
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