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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by becksA on May 10, 2006, at 13:55:36
was dx'd (very quickly and tentatively with BPII, then cyclothemia. I have also been dx'd with some sort of severe social anxiety disorder (more sure about that one)....and I'm taking (been switching around doses....was up to 1250...things seemed alright, now im down to 750 because i didnt think i needed it...it seemed to hel[p with anxiety. but for the past few weeks it seems like ive been hypermanic, first time ive ever felt like this, even before ANY diagnosis.
If I don't have any type of BP disorder, can a BP create symptoms?
Thanks....
Posted by B2chica on May 10, 2006, at 15:18:46
In reply to PLZ :( Bipolar Meds Giving me Bipolar Symptoms?, posted by becksA on May 10, 2006, at 13:55:36
sorry, missed what med(s) you said you were taking?
b2c.
Posted by blueberry on May 10, 2006, at 17:12:10
In reply to PLZ :( Bipolar Meds Giving me Bipolar Symptoms?, posted by becksA on May 10, 2006, at 13:55:36
You didn't specify, but at that dose it must be depakote?
Hard to tell what's happening. Either the lower dose has caused some severe anxiety as a partial withdrawal effect, or maybe there really was some bipolar stuff and now it is showing.
Sometimes I wonder if these meds can indeed cause problems that never existed before. When I went without zyprexa for 10 weeks I had all kinds of intense scary problems that never existed before.
Back on zyprexa.
Posted by becksA on May 10, 2006, at 17:53:37
In reply to Re: PLZ :( Bipolar Meds Giving me Bipolar Symptoms?, posted by blueberry on May 10, 2006, at 17:12:10
Yeah if I didnt' specify it clearly, basically I have never experienced bipolar symptoms (highs or lows), racing thoughts, fast speech...etc....Then we ran into the problem where I developed social Anxiety out of nowhere....now it's VERY severe, I tried every benzo, FINALLY on the only one that's ever worked, klonopin, extremely high dosage (although I've always been very overly tolerant to meds).
Anyway, I guess we decided to try Depakote to help with some of the anxiety.....and lately, for the first time ever im noticing the racing speech...etc. Anybody have anymore input on this?
Thanks
Posted by blueberry on May 10, 2006, at 18:20:39
In reply to CLARIFYING....., posted by becksA on May 10, 2006, at 17:53:37
Depakote made you too foggy, yeah? Isn't that why you lowered it? I can relate to that. Did the same with me.
I really don't know if meds can cause symptoms that weren't there before, but logically it would seem they can. I mean, the brain is not static, it doesn't just stay the same. As meds influence the brain, receptors change in terms of density and sensitivity, and who knows what else changes at a molecular level. When the med is removed, or lowered, the brain is not the same as it was pre-med. It may or may not revert back to the way it was, but even if it did it would take at least as much time as you were on the med I would think.
I don't usually like to suggest antipsychotics. Have you ever tried zyprexa? I took it with depakote. For many people it has profound antianxiety effects. I remember the first time I had a panic attack (due to st johns wort withdrawals, xanax withdrawals, and smoking some extremely strong paranoid type marijuana). It was 5pm. I usually took my zyprexa at 7pm. I knew from experience it took 2 hours to kick in. I took it at 5pm. At about 6:30 the panicness was melting away. By 7pm it was completely gone and I swear zyprexa saved my life that night.
I only suggest the possibility of zyprexa because you have been through other options at high doses. Often times zyprexa can work wonderfully in those situations, because it is doing anti-anxiety stuff through other mechanisms that are being missed by benzos or mood stabilizers. The anxiety might just be over-sensitive dopamine or serotonin receptors, which zyprexa will block.
Just a thought. Like I said, I wouldn't normally suggest it. But when things are severe, that's what it is for. The cool thing is that no long trial is needed. You would know within 3 or 4 days, and likely even the first day, if it was helping a lot or not. And if it is some kind of mania/anxiety mixed, zyprexa is approved for bipolar.
Posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2006, at 21:08:32
In reply to Re: CLARIFYING....., posted by blueberry on May 10, 2006, at 18:20:39
Lithium? Love Phillipa
Posted by B2chica on May 11, 2006, at 9:40:43
In reply to Re: CLARIFYING....., posted by blueberry on May 10, 2006, at 18:20:39
actually i think blueberry has a really good idea here. zyprexa was incredible for my anxiety (and other symptoms). although beware the weight gain. but my symptoms got so bad that even though i hate the weight i felt much better on it.
as for drugs creating symptoms. yes, it has been known to happen. when i first started on effexor i went from extreme high to extreme low and cycled about everyother day or so. i hadn't had these effects before.
if you are not sure of your diagnosis, i strongly suggest getting a second and/third opinion. i think sometimes it can be over diagnosed. However, it sounds like you have experienced hypomanic episode which more than likely puts you in those categories.
either way, the dx doesn't matter, only what works to help you.best wishes.
b2c.
Posted by bipolarspectrum on May 13, 2006, at 15:54:26
In reply to Re: CLARIFYING....., posted by B2chica on May 11, 2006, at 9:40:43
Hi,
I like this thread because I often feel people dont experience certain problems until they begin certain drugs... Personally, I found that any mood stabilizer in a low dose will initially make me manic..whereas high-doses keep a lid on it... I have no idea why this happens for me personally, but its a pain because when u try to explain this to a pdoc they give u a funny look...
Your social anxiety mabye related to ur racing thoughts... the anxiety beign the manifestation of the thoughts... i think the atypicals are a good bet, mabye even neurontin if its strong enough... anywayz, good luck!
bps
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