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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sac on January 9, 2004, at 7:55:02
Is there such a thing as anti-depressant poop-out or does this really suggest underlying Bipolar disorder?
Posted by tensor on January 9, 2004, at 14:21:03
In reply to AD poop-out or bipolar ?, posted by sac on January 9, 2004, at 7:55:02
>Is there such a thing as anti-depressant poop-out
Oh yes, there is.
/tensor
Posted by ann72 on January 9, 2004, at 18:40:24
In reply to AD poop-out or bipolar ?, posted by sac on January 9, 2004, at 7:55:02
> Is there such a thing as anti-depressant poop-out or does this really suggest underlying Bipolar disorder?
>
>
I am wondering the same thing!!! If I find out I will pass the info on...........ANN
Posted by SLS on January 10, 2004, at 9:05:49
In reply to Re: AD poop-out or bipolar ?, posted by ann72 on January 9, 2004, at 18:40:24
I can't answer your question, but I read something recently indicating that Prozac poop-out occurs more often in bipolar disorder than it does in unipolar disorder. (57.5 percent relapse rate vs 18.4 percent)
- Scott
Posted by sac on January 10, 2004, at 17:32:23
In reply to Re: AD poop-out or bipolar ?, posted by SLS on January 10, 2004, at 9:05:49
The reason I ask is because I was on Prozac continuously for 6 years, no problem. That was back in '92-'98. I was diagnosed with Major Depression at that time. Now, I don't know what I am. All I know is that Prozac and all of the AD's I've tried since then stop working after 2 mos. or so and I have to keep upping the dose which has led to a real problem with manic reaction in the past (especially from the Prozac) My pdoc is now considering me more like BPII. I've tinkered around with different meds for the last 4 years and have a difficult time stabilizing on one med. I believe I read somewhere that anti-depressants tend to "stop working" in those that are actually along the bipolar spectrum.
> I can't answer your question, but I read something recently indicating that Prozac poop-out occurs more often in bipolar disorder than it does in unipolar disorder. (57.5 percent relapse rate vs 18.4 percent)
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by T_R_D on January 12, 2004, at 12:58:29
In reply to Re: AD poop-out or bipolar ?, posted by sac on January 10, 2004, at 17:32:23
It's a definite possiblity. Have you had any other of manic or hypomanic episodes prior to your original diagnosis. Hindsight can reveal so much. When I look back upon my *healthy* days (pre-diagnosis) I thought I was normal when really, I was having some clearly (hypo)manic episodes. That's what helped me figure out that I'm not really unipolar. The fact that the Prozac induced mania speaks highly in favour of a BPII diagnosis. That's where I am too. I've also suffered mixed states (simultaneous mania and depression.)
At any rate, sounds like you're in for a new course of drug therapy? Good luck (btw, I am feeling so much better now that I am taking an AED/mood stabilizer) and off purely AD therapy. Good luck!
Karen
> The reason I ask is because I was on Prozac continuously for 6 years, no problem. That was back in '92-'98. I was diagnosed with Major Depression at that time. Now, I don't know what I am. All I know is that Prozac and all of the AD's I've tried since then stop working after 2 mos. or so and I have to keep upping the dose which has led to a real problem with manic reaction in the past (especially from the Prozac) My pdoc is now considering me more like BPII. I've tinkered around with different meds for the last 4 years and have a difficult time stabilizing on one med. I believe I read somewhere that anti-depressants tend to "stop working" in those that are actually along the bipolar spectrum.
>
>
>
> > I can't answer your question, but I read something recently indicating that Prozac poop-out occurs more often in bipolar disorder than it does in unipolar disorder. (57.5 percent relapse rate vs 18.4 percent)
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
>
Posted by sac on January 12, 2004, at 21:18:17
In reply to Re: AD poop-out or bipolar ?, posted by T_R_D on January 12, 2004, at 12:58:29
Yes, I have definately had clear hypomanic/manic episodes. And yes, mixed states as well which is the worst for me. May I ask what mood stabilizer you are currently on? I am terrified to stop the Prozac although I know it may be adding to my troubles in the long run. It is the only thing that seems to pull me out of my periodic major depressive relapses (although I have to bump the dose up to 30 or 40 mgs. and then I end up hypomanic). I would like to think that I can just be on a mood stabilizer, but right now I am not stable enough to attempt to taper the Prozac. -Stacey
> It's a definite possiblity. Have you had any other of manic or hypomanic episodes prior to your original diagnosis. Hindsight can reveal so much. When I look back upon my *healthy* days (pre-diagnosis) I thought I was normal when really, I was having some clearly (hypo)manic episodes. That's what helped me figure out that I'm not really unipolar. The fact that the Prozac induced mania speaks highly in favour of a BPII diagnosis. That's where I am too. I've also suffered mixed states (simultaneous mania and depression.)
>
> At any rate, sounds like you're in for a new course of drug therapy? Good luck (btw, I am feeling so much better now that I am taking an AED/mood stabilizer) and off purely AD therapy. Good luck!
>
> Karen
>
> > The reason I ask is because I was on Prozac continuously for 6 years, no problem. That was back in '92-'98. I was diagnosed with Major Depression at that time. Now, I don't know what I am. All I know is that Prozac and all of the AD's I've tried since then stop working after 2 mos. or so and I have to keep upping the dose which has led to a real problem with manic reaction in the past (especially from the Prozac) My pdoc is now considering me more like BPII. I've tinkered around with different meds for the last 4 years and have a difficult time stabilizing on one med. I believe I read somewhere that anti-depressants tend to "stop working" in those that are actually along the bipolar spectrum.
> >
> >
> >
> > > I can't answer your question, but I read something recently indicating that Prozac poop-out occurs more often in bipolar disorder than it does in unipolar disorder. (57.5 percent relapse rate vs 18.4 percent)
> > >
> > >
> > > - Scott
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by T_R_D on January 13, 2004, at 12:13:13
In reply to Re: AD poop-out or bipolar ? » T_R_D, posted by sac on January 12, 2004, at 21:18:17
Hi Stacey. Mood stabilizers and ADs aren't mutually exclusive. In BPII it could be helpful to be on both. I am currently taking Wellbutrin and Tegretol (Carbamazepine.) It's an old school anti-epeleptic...been around for a dog's age apparently. I am not having any major problems on it and am quite pleased with my new diagnosis. I'm glad that the Prozac is giving you some relief...if that's the case your doc shouldn't yank you off it. There are lots of mood stabilizers/anti-epeleptic meds out there...hope if the first one doesn't work etc... I think it might be similar to starting out with ADs...finding one that works just right for you etc... Maybe I've lucked out as the Teg. seems to be suiting me fine. No more (hypo)manic episodes and I'm not feeling numbed out or anything either.
Good luck and let me know how things work out!
Karen
Posted by Mr. Scott on January 13, 2004, at 22:27:56
In reply to Re: AD poop-out or bipolar ?, posted by sac on January 10, 2004, at 17:32:23
When SSRI's first came out, I could get a powerful year out of each of them. Then they'd poop. Eventually I developed more clear yet subtle signs of bipolarity. Over time the length of response to Antidepressants shortened for me, and I could no longer switch around and expect to re-establish a robust response. These days I don't expect much out of an antidepresant and only use low doses from time to time for bad spells of depression. Over the last several years my picture has become one of dysthymia superimposed on a mild but certain cycling.
My situation will not apply to everyone of course.
Scott
Posted by SLS on January 14, 2004, at 8:40:09
In reply to Re: AD poop-out or bipolar ?, posted by Mr. Scott on January 13, 2004, at 22:27:56
> When SSRI's first came out, I could get a powerful year out of each of them. Then they'd poop. Eventually I developed more clear yet subtle signs of bipolarity. Over time the length of response to Antidepressants shortened for me, and I could no longer switch around and expect to re-establish a robust response. These days I don't expect much out of an antidepresant and only use low doses from time to time for bad spells of depression. Over the last several years my picture has become one of dysthymia superimposed on a mild but certain cycling.
Have you tried lithium? I hate what it does to me, but it is a miracle drug for some people.
- Scott
Posted by sac on January 14, 2004, at 20:19:05
In reply to Re: AD poop-out or bipolar ?, posted by T_R_D on January 13, 2004, at 12:13:13
Hi Karen, Thank you for your reply. As a matter of fact, I have just started (2 days) on Trileptal which is related to Tegretal I believe. It is hitting me kind of hard, sort of making me feel intoxicated, depressed, and out of it. I may take an even lower dose than my doctor prescribed initially. (I take 150 2 x day) I am very med sensitive and alot of times I cannot even get to "therapeutic" doses of mood stabilizers because they make me feel more depressed in an apathetic kind of way. Even Lithium made me feel just terrible. Thanks for your input, it helps to know that you have had success with Tegretol.
> Hi Stacey. Mood stabilizers and ADs aren't mutually exclusive. In BPII it could be helpful to be on both. I am currently taking Wellbutrin and Tegretol (Carbamazepine.) It's an old school anti-epeleptic...been around for a dog's age apparently. I am not having any major problems on it and am quite pleased with my new diagnosis. I'm glad that the Prozac is giving you some relief...if that's the case your doc shouldn't yank you off it. There are lots of mood stabilizers/anti-epeleptic meds out there...hope if the first one doesn't work etc... I think it might be similar to starting out with ADs...finding one that works just right for you etc... Maybe I've lucked out as the Teg. seems to be suiting me fine. No more (hypo)manic episodes and I'm not feeling numbed out or anything either.
>
> Good luck and let me know how things work out!
>
> Karen
Posted by Mr. Scott on January 14, 2004, at 23:38:54
In reply to Re: AD poop-out or bipolar ?, posted by SLS on January 14, 2004, at 8:40:09
I have not tried lithium for many many years. I currently take trileptal, but my success with it is mixed. For some symptoms it's a miracle substance yet it causes some swelling and has interactions with Effexor which I use occassionally. I'm just now consulting with a new doc and I'm sure Lithium will come up at some point. What does it do to you that you do not like??
Scott
Posted by SLS on January 15, 2004, at 7:55:47
In reply to Re: AD poop-out or bipolar ? » SLS, posted by Mr. Scott on January 14, 2004, at 23:38:54
> I'm just now consulting with a new doc and I'm sure Lithium will come up at some point. What does it do to you that you do not like??
Generally speaking, it makes my depression worse. More specifically, it flattens my affect. I become passive, apathetic, less motivated, and less creative. These things are present at dosages of 600mg and higher and at a blood level of 0.45.I hope everything works out with your new doctor.
- Scott
Posted by T_R_D on January 15, 2004, at 13:01:20
In reply to Re: AD poop-out or bipolar ? » T_R_D, posted by sac on January 14, 2004, at 20:19:05
Hang in there! I would suspect that the side effects will go away however, you might want to do exactly what you said--cut down the dose. I'm on a very tiny dose of Tegretol and it seems to do the trick...not saying that you're the same as me but maybe just a small bit of the AED will get you by. Hopefully your doc will agree?
Take care,
Karen> Hi Karen, Thank you for your reply. As a matter of fact, I have just started (2 days) on Trileptal which is related to Tegretal I believe. It is hitting me kind of hard, sort of making me feel intoxicated, depressed, and out of it. I may take an even lower dose than my doctor prescribed initially. (I take 150 2 x day) I am very med sensitive and alot of times I cannot even get to "therapeutic" doses of mood stabilizers because they make me feel more depressed in an apathetic kind of way. Even Lithium made me feel just terrible. Thanks for your input, it helps to know that you have had success with Tegretol.
>
>
>
>
> > Hi Stacey. Mood stabilizers and ADs aren't mutually exclusive. In BPII it could be helpful to be on both. I am currently taking Wellbutrin and Tegretol (Carbamazepine.) It's an old school anti-epeleptic...been around for a dog's age apparently. I am not having any major problems on it and am quite pleased with my new diagnosis. I'm glad that the Prozac is giving you some relief...if that's the case your doc shouldn't yank you off it. There are lots of mood stabilizers/anti-epeleptic meds out there...hope if the first one doesn't work etc... I think it might be similar to starting out with ADs...finding one that works just right for you etc... Maybe I've lucked out as the Teg. seems to be suiting me fine. No more (hypo)manic episodes and I'm not feeling numbed out or anything either.
> >
> > Good luck and let me know how things work out!
> >
> > Karen
>
>
Posted by Bela on May 28, 2004, at 10:08:32
In reply to Re: AD poop-out or bipolar ?, posted by T_R_D on January 15, 2004, at 13:01:20
Does anyone know if Lamictal and other bipolar mood stabilizers experience poop-out like the ADs?
This is the end of the thread.
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