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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fellowmike on September 11, 2009, at 20:37:39
im on amitriptyline 150mg and take valium 20mg, its helped out my agitated depression/bipolar2 somewhat but i still very depressed and slightly tense...
im thinking that adding lexapro would help out and raise my blood levels dramatically of amitriptyline,
but i was also curious about having a pleasurable hypomania, but im afraid of getting serotonin symdrome,
Would this addition of lexapro (probably 5-10mg) make me more emotionally blunted or cause serotonin symdrome ......
or could it by chance give me a birthday present of some hypomania?? lol
Posted by linkadge on September 12, 2009, at 15:10:36
In reply to Triggering hypomania with a bipolar2 patient, posted by fellowmike on September 11, 2009, at 20:37:39
I would try and aim for well. I know when you are sick, hypomania sounds good, but there is always a cost to hypomania.
I am feeling *well* now and to be honest I don't really want hypomania. When I reflect on past periods of hympomania all I see is the lack of control that I really had. Most importantly during hypomania I still lacked inner peace.
Linkadge
Posted by Justherself54 on September 12, 2009, at 15:34:11
In reply to Re: Triggering hypomania with a bipolar2 patient, posted by linkadge on September 12, 2009, at 15:10:36
>>Most importantly during hypomania I still lacked inner peace.
Wow..so true. I was just thinking the other day that a little hypomania would be so nice. During my last prolonged mania I was on top of the world, but there was an inner turmoil going on too. I never could think how to describe it. Even though I am still battling depression, I have more inner peace than when I was manic.
Even though I was driven by my mania, there was still a part of me that knew something was dreadfully wrong.
Finding balance would be wonderful.
Posted by fellowmike on September 12, 2009, at 21:59:55
In reply to Re: Triggering hypomania with a bipolar2 patient, posted by linkadge on September 12, 2009, at 15:10:36
yeah i know what i posted sounds a little greedy but i was just wondering how the lexapro+ami. works
but thankyou for humbling me, your right i should just aim for feeling normal..
(no sarcam intended)thankyou guys, and yeah i know what the lack of innerpeace feels like, in fact i feel it right now, but before i started the amitriptlyine it was so intense i would literally be on the ground pounding my fists in my carpet and sreaming for God in tears
Posted by SLS on September 13, 2009, at 5:08:00
In reply to Re: Triggering hypomania with a bipolar2 patient, posted by linkadge on September 12, 2009, at 15:10:36
> I am feeling *well* now...
Now *that* is good news.
After your discontent with nortriptyline, I was dubious that you were going to give amitriptyline a fair trial. I'm glad you decided to take a risk.
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on September 13, 2009, at 6:44:24
In reply to Re: Triggering hypomania with a bipolar2 patient » linkadge, posted by SLS on September 13, 2009, at 5:08:00
Amitriptyline has been more tollerable for me. I also noticed a more rapid improvement in some of my core symptoms.
to fellowmike: I think when one is depressed for so long, the brain wants to have a mania to kind of balance things out. You know, like extra happiness will cancel out the memories of extra sadness.
Sometimes aiming for hypomania might be good - like if you want to get a B aim for an A+. But, I guess I was just saying that in hindsight I actually like being 'normal' better. I feel more sense of control, better ability to plan long range, more inner peace (as mentioned), more satisfaction (hypomania seems to increase dissatisfaction - in me at least).
I think bipolars have a really hard time getting to well, and really knowing what well is. Bipolars can spend a *lot* of time depressed and perhaps sometimes they are made to think that dysthymic is normal. I dunno.
Just my 2 cents
Linkadge
Posted by fattoush on September 13, 2009, at 15:50:22
In reply to Triggering hypomania with a bipolar2 patient, posted by fellowmike on September 11, 2009, at 20:37:39
My experience as a bipolar II has been that I remain depressed, whatever anti-depressants I take, until I add a mood stabilizier. All of Lithium, Depakote, and Lamictal helped with the depression. I am on Lithium because it's the one with less side effects on me. Cumulating anti-depressants rarely does it for bi-polars. In fact, I don't take any anymore.
And hypomania was awful. It always came with inner agitation and anxiety.
This is the end of the thread.
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