Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 268695

Shown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Am I Bi-Polar ... or is Lexapro causing symptoms

Posted by Temmie on October 12, 2003, at 14:08:22

Help -- am I bipolar?

1. Is Lexapro the culprit?

2. Are folks with bipolar ultra-sensitive to caffeine? How do we know what's what?

* * * * *

After the reading I've done online here about Lexapro, I'm wondering if my UNBELIEVABLE inability to sleep at night (and occasional racing thoughts) aren't a result of a recent increase in Lexapro from .25 to .5 ....

We all have such varied histories here, and the different combinations of meds we're using makes tracking results (or figuring things out) truly challenging.

I am using only 200 mg. Serzone for depression with accompanying Lexapro. I take Synthroid for hypothroidism -- and other than that -- have tried everything for sleep -- from Alprazoline to Neurontin and Seroquel to Sonata. I also use Xanax, when nothing else works. And often that doesn't help either. I'm up every two hours no matter what I do.

I'm just wondering if my recent experience with racing thoughts and inability to sleep hasn't been the result of Lexapro ...

... sure hope I can hit upon a solution before I try another litany of drugs for possible bipolar.

For now? Sleepless, but resolved to sticking with the more benign Tylenol PM and curling up with a good book as needed.

Oh -- before I go -- does anyone who's managed to read this far get a KICK from caffeine? It seems to trip me into too much of a high (but is often so needed when I struggle with waking in the morning). Then I'll (occasionally) need Xanax to calm down. Hmmmm.

Can hypomania be triggered by caffeine?

Ack!

I'll shut up now and listen. Thanks, Temmie

 

Re: Am I Bi-Polar ... or is Lexapro causing symptoms » Temmie

Posted by Sabina on October 12, 2003, at 16:41:30

In reply to Am I Bi-Polar ... or is Lexapro causing symptoms, posted by Temmie on October 12, 2003, at 14:08:22

Hey Temmie,

From other posts of yours that I've read I remember that you sounded a lot like me (Bipolar II, un-dx'd for MANY years) before I got on the right track with my meds. In my personal case, I am violently incompatible with SSRI's. It doesn't surprise me that you are having so much trouble with Lexapro (even though Lex is supposed to hav the lowest instance of SE's of any SSRI.) I would suggest that you might want to change up your game plan a bit. If you are bipolar, the SSRI could indeed be contributing to your racing thoughts, etc. I'm so sorry you're going through such a hard time. I know all too well the agony caused by sleeplessness. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts.

Sabina

 

Re: Am I Bi-Polar ... or is Lexapro causing symptoms » Sabina

Posted by Temmie on October 12, 2003, at 17:16:12

In reply to Re: Am I Bi-Polar ... or is Lexapro causing symptoms » Temmie, posted by Sabina on October 12, 2003, at 16:41:30

Thank you, Sabina. I can't wait to get this figured out (and hopefully, to one day feel "normal," whatever normal is).

One questions. What are SE's?

Temmie

 

Re: Sorry...SE's = side effects. (nm)

Posted by Sabina on October 12, 2003, at 18:17:55

In reply to Re: Am I Bi-Polar ... or is Lexapro causing symptoms » Sabina, posted by Temmie on October 12, 2003, at 17:16:12

 

Re: Am I Bi-Polar ... or is Lexapro causing symptoms

Posted by linkadge on October 13, 2003, at 11:13:52

In reply to Am I Bi-Polar ... or is Lexapro causing symptoms, posted by Temmie on October 12, 2003, at 14:08:22

Symptoms such as this often happen with the use of certain psyciatric drugs. This does not mean you have bipolar disorder.

Firstly analyze your thoughts. Is the mind racing related to worrying?, or related to euphoric thoughts (ie are you thinking about all of the things that you'd like to do instead of sleeping)

The litmus test for insomnia is how you precieve the insomnia. If you are really wanting to get some sleep but just feel like the drugs are stopping you - then its unlikely mania. If however, the insomnia is some sort of advantage, perhaps you enjoy staying awake all the time, or perhaps you like it in that you can get more done, then perhaps this is underlying bipolar disorder.


Linkadge

 

Re: Am I Bi-Polar ... or is Lexapro causing symptoms » linkadge

Posted by Sabina on October 13, 2003, at 15:13:37

In reply to Re: Am I Bi-Polar ... or is Lexapro causing symptoms, posted by linkadge on October 13, 2003, at 11:13:52

more often than not, i fall under the category of "agitated hypomanic" rather than "productive hypomanic". this is one of the reasons that most of my hypomanic episodes had gone undiagnosed in over thirty years. SSRI's *greatly* exacerbated my symptoms for many years before i was correctly dx'd bipolar II. i felt even more tortured by my racing thoughts and insomnia when on that class of drugs. i haven't experienced a "productive hypomania" in years and would greatly prefer it to what i experience now. i do think your "litmus test" is a great suggestion for people to use as a starting point, but i will hope they remember, just as i was educated about my own illness, that hypomania/mania does not necessarily equal productivity and the sterotypical image of a person up all night, feverishly cleaning, planning, or building something fantastical, isn't necessary in order for a person to be dx'd bipolar.

i mean this to be helpful and i'm not trying to contradict you. i just don't want anyone to fall through the cracks of being misdiagnosed for years like i was. :)

 

Re: Am I Bi-Polar ... or is Lexapro causing symptoms

Posted by Mariposa on October 13, 2003, at 15:25:33

In reply to Re: Am I Bi-Polar ... or is Lexapro causing symptoms » linkadge, posted by Sabina on October 13, 2003, at 15:13:37

Have been on Lex since Feb. Just wanted to relate what happened to me....I had several *episodes* where I went nuts cleaning, doing laundry, mowing yard, even *detailed* bathroom w/toothbrush!!! Husband said I seemed to be on speed. I think it was caused by Lex as I have never really acted that way before...meaning trying to do too much in a day. And they didn't last all that long. So, it may be the same for you, I took several on-line tests and none indicated I was BP.

Good Luck to you!~~~8|8

 

Re: Am I Bi-Polar ... or is Lexapro causing symptoms » Mariposa

Posted by Temmie on October 13, 2003, at 16:15:52

In reply to Re: Am I Bi-Polar ... or is Lexapro causing symptoms, posted by Mariposa on October 13, 2003, at 15:25:33

Thank you for writing. I've definitely been more speedy, nearly to the point of grinding my teeth. Ugh. Hope to get this straightened out soon. Where might I find online tests for BP?

 

Thank you All

Posted by Temmie on October 13, 2003, at 16:20:27

In reply to Re: Am I Bi-Polar ... or is Lexapro causing symptoms » linkadge, posted by Sabina on October 13, 2003, at 15:13:37

I would say my symptoms sound more like Sabina's. Largely nonproductive, and largely agitagted. The racing thoughts/strange discourse "behind" my thinking ... I've noticed before. It seems to come and go. Ack. This whole business of just feeling unwell is such a drag. I'm hoping I can find appropriate treatment. Will write more when I know more, and until then -- thanks everyone. Temmie

 

Re: caffeine » Temmie

Posted by omegon on October 14, 2003, at 19:20:21

In reply to Am I Bi-Polar ... or is Lexapro causing symptoms, posted by Temmie on October 12, 2003, at 14:08:22

Yes, I do get a BIG kick from caffeine. Always have. Occasionally to the point of overactivity, reckless spending, etc. Also very addictive for me - repeated failed attempts to quit, withdrawing then starting again a few weeks later, etc.

Caffeine works very well as an antidepressant for me - unfortunately only for at most two days a week. Any more often and I get some kind of tolerance effect, the mood lift is nearly gone, and it just makes me anxious, then depressed and exhausted when it wears off. And makes it even harder to get up in the morning than it usually is. (this is a big problem for me - I think I have a "delayed sleep phase" and have since my teens. Not good for a 9-5 job.) The last few weeks I've finally disciplined myself not to drink coffee every day. (It's ridiculous that such a mild stimulant can give me problems! Who ever heard of being in rehab for caffeine?!)

I haven't been diagnosed bipolar, but hey, I'm new here. Actually I'm not sure the doctor bothered to diagnose me with anything before handing out drugs (for what I think is depression + [social] anxiety) - seems more of a pick 'n' mix thing.

Yes, today has been a caffeine day. {8}~>

> Oh -- before I go -- does anyone who's managed to read this far get a KICK from caffeine? It seems to trip me into too much of a high (but is often so needed when I struggle with waking in the morning). Then I'll (occasionally) need Xanax to calm down. Hmmmm.
>
> Can hypomania be triggered by caffeine?

 

Getting a Kick from Caffeine » omegon

Posted by Temmie on October 15, 2003, at 8:21:42

In reply to Re: caffeine » Temmie, posted by omegon on October 14, 2003, at 19:20:21

Thanks for writing omegon, and welcome to PB. Interesting to hear your story. I think I'd do better to quit coffee too, but it sure is a help for getting up and getting going. But then again, so is exercise. Maybe I can start lacing up my shoes in the morning and heading over to the gym. In the meantime ... I am weaning myself off my belief in the need for sleep meds. Last night I used Tylenol PM (followed by two Xanax) and today I feel pretty good! :-) Take care, and good luck in all you do.

 

Re: caffeine » omegon

Posted by Questionmark on October 15, 2003, at 20:39:20

In reply to Re: caffeine » Temmie, posted by omegon on October 14, 2003, at 19:20:21

i am the same with exactly everything you said about caffeine as well. For years now i've even been calling days on caffeine "caffeine days" or usually "coffee days" too. That's so funny. Yeah, caffeine has been the love of my life. Sadly enough.

> Yes, I do get a BIG kick from caffeine. Always have. Occasionally to the point of overactivity, reckless spending, etc. Also very addictive for me - repeated failed attempts to quit, withdrawing then starting again a few weeks later, etc.
>
> Caffeine works very well as an antidepressant for me - unfortunately only for at most two days a week. Any more often and I get some kind of tolerance effect, the mood lift is nearly gone, and it just makes me anxious, then depressed and exhausted when it wears off. And makes it even harder to get up in the morning than it usually is. (this is a big problem for me - I think I have a "delayed sleep phase" and have since my teens. Not good for a 9-5 job.) The last few weeks I've finally disciplined myself not to drink coffee every day. (It's ridiculous that such a mild stimulant can give me problems! Who ever heard of being in rehab for caffeine?!)
>
> I haven't been diagnosed bipolar, but hey, I'm new here. Actually I'm not sure the doctor bothered to diagnose me with anything before handing out drugs (for what I think is depression + [social] anxiety) - seems more of a pick 'n' mix thing.
>
> Yes, today has been a caffeine day. {8}~>

 

Re: Getting a Kick from Caffeine

Posted by MamaB on October 17, 2003, at 12:25:08

In reply to Getting a Kick from Caffeine » omegon, posted by Temmie on October 15, 2003, at 8:21:42

I not only get no "kick" from caffine, it has a calming effect on me. Yes I am ADD and yes I currently am on medication for that. Has anyone else had this experience??

 

Re: Getting a Kick from Caffeine

Posted by zeugma on October 17, 2003, at 19:34:10

In reply to Re: Getting a Kick from Caffeine, posted by MamaB on October 17, 2003, at 12:25:08

i self medicated with caffeine for many years. problem was it stimulated me more physically than mentally, if you know what i mean. it would stimulate my mind, but only for a brief period. I limit my caffeine consumption these days since the Strattera can interact with it and cause some weird overstimulation. Besides, I'm not noticeably 'spacy' when I skip the coffee, and these days I get a good placebo effect from decaf.

 

Re: Getting a Kick from Caffeine » MamaB

Posted by Kacy on October 21, 2003, at 14:09:27

In reply to Re: Getting a Kick from Caffeine, posted by MamaB on October 17, 2003, at 12:25:08

I don't get a kick either. While coffee isn't calming, it does give me a sense of well-being.

I saw a post by a teacher or counselor a few months back on another board. She said that she sent a gradeschool kid to the doctor because of his out-of-control behavior. This was about thirty years ago. The doctor said to give the kid a pass to the cafeteria every morning and have the workers give him a cup of coffee. I think that was supposed to be at about 10:30 or eleven. That solved the problem. I wondered if the doctor had the parents giving him a cup every morning.

Maybe a lot of people are over-reacting to the caffeine scare and cutting something simple and benefical out of their diets. Most of us have to cut some things out and other things back, but for some of us…coffee may be just what the doctor ordered. Mine did.

 

Re: Getting a Kick from Caffeine » Kacy

Posted by MamaB on October 21, 2003, at 14:54:55

In reply to Re: Getting a Kick from Caffeine » MamaB, posted by Kacy on October 21, 2003, at 14:09:27

> I don't get a kick either. While coffee isn't calming, it does give me a sense of well-being.
>
> I saw a post by a teacher or counselor a few months back on another board. She said that she sent a gradeschool kid to the doctor because of his out-of-control behavior. This was about thirty years ago. The doctor said to give the kid a pass to the cafeteria every morning and have the workers give him a cup of coffee. I think that was supposed to be at about 10:30 or eleven. That solved the problem. I wondered if the doctor had the parents giving him a cup every morning.
>
> Maybe a lot of people are over-reacting to the caffeine scare and cutting something simple and benefical out of their diets. Most of us have to cut some things out and other things back, but for some of us…coffee may be just what the doctor ordered. Mine did.

Kacy,
Since folks like us are in the minority, I doubt that this will be a new trend!


This is the end of the thread.


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.