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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Torque on January 26, 2004, at 18:26:41
I have been on various AD's for about 5 years and klonopin. Currently I am taking 150 mg's of Effexor XR and 1 mg of K. Through it all I have never really really felt great, although a bit better than self medicating. I also suffer from anxiety disorder which is under control. However, I still go through periods of agitation and have difficulty contolling my temper. I feel as if I could scream at times. This also coupled with erratic sleep. Right now it's bad, it usually happens late fall early winter. Happened already and I appear to be "cycling" back after a brief respite. I never experience any happy full blown mania so to speak, usually my moods go from Ok, to low mood, to aggitated. Any thoughts which be appreciated.
Posted by girl1969 on January 26, 2004, at 22:42:36
In reply to Am I BP II?, posted by Torque on January 26, 2004, at 18:26:41
Hi,
What I can say from personal experience is that I have been Bipolar 1 since I was about 20 (I'm 34 now). I didn't receive appropriate treatment until I was 31. Up until that time, I always thought I had a terrible temper. I was irritable all the time and would have these explosive tantrums.Since starting an appropriate medication regime, I never lose my temper and I'm very rarely irritable. I still get angry at the "big" stuff now and then, but never to the extent that I did before I received treatment.
It's always been my understanding that you don't need to have an episode of full blown mania in order to fit the diagnosis of BP2. Others probably have a better understanding of this than I do, but I thought I'd respond and get the thread going. :)
I found this sight a while back and it's been helpful to me:http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/ucdhs/health/a-z/66Bipolar/doc66.html
I hope you find another respite soon, whether naturally or through new meds.
Take care,
Girl
Posted by Torque on January 27, 2004, at 14:52:01
In reply to Re: Am I BP II?, posted by girl1969 on January 26, 2004, at 22:42:36
Hey, thanks for your post. What meds are you on?Hopefully someone who is BP II can jump in here too. Judging by this board I know you BP II's are out there........
Posted by girl1969 on January 27, 2004, at 16:41:30
In reply to Am I BP II?, posted by Torque on January 26, 2004, at 18:26:41
I am currently taking 400 mg of Lamictal and 40 mg of Geodon. I was on Celexa for 2 years, but with these newer meds, it made me too edgy and I stopped the Celexa about 2 weeks ago.
It sounds like you might benefit from some kind of mood stabilizer. Of course, I don't have an MD, so I could be wrong.
When I first got sick (or the first time I was willing to seek treatment), I was diagnosed with anxiety and major depression. It took them a long time to figure it out and it took me an even longer time to admit that it was true.
The benzo/AD never worked well for me, I continued to cycle.
I hope another BPII can help you out with this.
Take care.
Posted by Torque on January 27, 2004, at 20:20:23
In reply to Re: Am I BP II?Torque, posted by girl1969 on January 27, 2004, at 16:41:30
Thanks Girl 1969. Today is the complete opposite of the last few days, the irritability/agitation is gone.??? How is the Lamitical/Geodon combination for anxiety and sleep. What side effects did you or do you have?
Posted by girl1969 on January 28, 2004, at 1:01:33
In reply to Re: Am I BP II?Torque, posted by Torque on January 27, 2004, at 20:20:23
When I was titrating up on Lamictal, I had a lot of anxiety and felt really revved up. I became hypomanic for a while (talking too much, irritable, brain racing, intensely focused, etc).
Once I reached a therapeutic level at 400 mg, that all went away.
The Geodon has been great for sleep. I'm not tired or sedated during the day, but I'm able to fall asleep 2 minutes after my head hits the pillow.
Also, because I discontinued taking the celexa, it's difficult for me to differentiate between side effects that are due to the meds and the things that I'm experiencing (vague headache, some nausea, no appetite)from discontinuing the celexa. (Does that make any sense? I'm up too late!)
I'm glad to hear that you're feeling better today. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. :)
Posted by CareBear04 on January 28, 2004, at 17:14:57
In reply to Am I BP II?, posted by Torque on January 26, 2004, at 18:26:41
I've been diagnosed as Bipolar II. I have really bad anxiety/agitation, messed up sleep, have had really suicidal depressions and some periods of high energy where I've been super efficient and outgoing. At least for me, mood stabilizers have been only somewhat helpful. I've been on lithium, Depakote, and Neurontin, as well as Zyprexa and Abilify (antipsychotics used as mood stabilizers). ADs work better for me, with or without mood stabilizers. I also take pretty high dose benzos. Don't know if this helps.
CB> I have been on various AD's for about 5 years and klonopin. Currently I am taking 150 mg's of Effexor XR and 1 mg of K. Through it all I have never really really felt great, although a bit better than self medicating. I also suffer from anxiety disorder which is under control. However, I still go through periods of agitation and have difficulty contolling my temper. I feel as if I could scream at times. This also coupled with erratic sleep. Right now it's bad, it usually happens late fall early winter. Happened already and I appear to be "cycling" back after a brief respite. I never experience any happy full blown mania so to speak, usually my moods go from Ok, to low mood, to aggitated. Any thoughts which be appreciated.
Posted by Torque on January 28, 2004, at 20:48:55
In reply to Re: Am I BP II? » Torque, posted by CareBear04 on January 28, 2004, at 17:14:57
Thanks for your support girl1969. CareBear04, what is your current medication regimen?
Posted by ann72 on January 29, 2004, at 11:44:29
In reply to Re: Am I BP II? » Torque, posted by CareBear04 on January 28, 2004, at 17:14:57
wow, you sound just like me. I was recently dx with bp2 and just started taking lamictal. Hopefully that will stablize my moods. I also take benzo's for major anxiety disorder and effexor for depression (i guess)..
Good luck
Posted by CareBear04 on January 30, 2004, at 7:56:05
In reply to Re: Am I BP II? ?Torque ?CareBear04, posted by Torque on January 28, 2004, at 20:48:55
my current meds: lithium, zoloft, wellbutrin, abilify, xanax, and ambien.
This is the end of the thread.
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