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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by betternow on September 29, 2004, at 22:24:27
Hi All,
I am dealing with chronic agitation, anger and impatience. It is having a profound negative effect on my marriage and my ability to be a good father to my 3 year old son. I really love them and feel they would be better off if I took myself out. But I won't because I don't want my son to grow knowing his dad did such a thing. I have got to fix this.
I am trying Cymbalta. great initial response, but seems to be pooping after 3 weeks. I also take Celexa 10mg qd at bed, Ativan 1mg qd at bed, and Ambien 5mg qd at bed.
My doc thinks some of the mood stabilizers will help control my bouts of anger, irratibility and sometimes rage complete with cuss words and punched walls. Never punched of hit wife, child or other people though.
Has anyone delt with similar issues. I don't drink, no drugs other than prescribed.
BTW- stimulants-Concerta, Adderal make it worse. My doc one tried these for late day fatigue. Not good.
Thanks
Not so Betternow
Posted by boomarang on September 29, 2004, at 23:15:34
In reply to Chronic Agitation, Anger, Impatience, posted by betternow on September 29, 2004, at 22:24:27
i have the same issues of irritability, anger, impatience.
I am now on 200mg lamictal and 30 mg cymbalta and the road is smoothing out. Cymbalta has pretty much taken irritability out of the picture by 80%. anger is out 100%. i'm happy with those odds. i still get impatient but without the other two it's pretty benign.
good luck! these issues can be gotten under control with a number of the drugs seen on this board. you can do it.
Posted by HappyGirl on September 29, 2004, at 23:36:14
In reply to Chronic Agitation, Anger, Impatience, posted by betternow on September 29, 2004, at 22:24:27
Hi:
I totally agree with your pdoc. in regard to 'mood-stabilizer.' Because, it sounds to me like you have Bp II which has primarly 'depressive episodes.' At the beginning of my trip to the pdoc., my dx. was simply 'depression,' however actually I was sufferring from 'Bp II.' Mood-stabilizer did 'Wonder' on me.Besides this above, the following description sounds like Bp II symptoms;
--- my bouts of anger, irratibility and sometimes rage complete with cuss words and punched walls. Never punched of hit wife, child or other people though. ---
In my suggestion, you need to explain to your pdoc. about your 'real' behaviours as honest as possible. Because, honest explanation along with truthfullness on your behaviour and emotion is a best 'tool' for your pdoc. to dx/find your 'real' problem.
H.G.
Posted by betternow on September 30, 2004, at 8:46:58
In reply to Re: Chronic Agitation, Anger, Impatience, posted by HappyGirl on September 29, 2004, at 23:36:14
Thank you Boomerang and HappyGirl. Can you guys, or anyone recommend a mood stabilizer that helps one sleep. What side effects should I expect?
Thanks
Posted by HappyGirl on September 30, 2004, at 21:29:07
In reply to Re: Chronic Agitation, Anger, Impatience, posted by betternow on September 30, 2004, at 8:46:58
Hi:
>>>> mood stabilizer that helps one sleep. What side effects should I expect? <<<<--- 'Not able to sleep well'is a part of Bp II symptoms, ... due to either depressive, manic side, or even both sides of Bp II. Then, you certainly need a mood-stabilizer. In my personal opinion through the experience, Lithium is one of best mood-stabilizers as your Bp II sounds like a bit more 'manic' side than depressive one. For this form of Bp II, Lithium has a good reputation among its takers. As a matter of fact, I'm one of 'loyal' Lithium takers and quite happy about its results. However, Lithium does not offer a significant effect on your 'dysphoric'/rageous form of manic as you described in your previous/first post. Lithium has a good effect on both, depressive and manic sides, however a small capability to the dysphoric/rageous mania. Because, the dysphoric mania is a type of 'stubborn type' which is not easily controlled by traditional mood-stabilizers. For this manic, most of psychiatrists(pdocs.) rx anti-psycho.med., such as Zyprexa, Risperdal and Seroquel(milder anti-psycho.med.)in conjuction with Lithium.
That be said, in Bp II, there are many different form of Bp, some saying even 15-20 classifications. For this reason, it's quite hard to distinguish to which form of Bp your symptoms belong. Only your pdoc. is able to dx properly and rx appropriate mood-stabilizer. Also, if you are quite manicky, anti-depressant must be avoided until your mania is semi-controlled. Because, any of anti-depressatns, particularly SSRIs, are prone to produce 'manic' episodes which, I believe you definitely hate to happen.
In my suggestion, first of all, you need to make an appt. with your psychiatrist ASAP.
Please let us know how you're doing afterwards.
H.G.
Posted by verne on September 30, 2004, at 22:25:42
In reply to Chronic Agitation, Anger, Impatience, posted by betternow on September 29, 2004, at 22:24:27
Being borderline I have problems with anger and even rage - or used to. I noticed my outbursts were worse when I took benzos like ativan. Like alcohol, it lowered my inhibitions.
I'm taking inderal for high blood pressure but it also helps with anxiety and anger. It is sometimes prescribed for "rage" and is very calming.
I'm also taking cymbalta and have noticed a slight increase in anger. Some of the SSRI's like prozac seem to do that. When prozac first came out I was in the hospital with a bunch of patients who had lost their temper and even attacked people while on prozac. It was the talk of group therapy.
Meditation may also help with temper or any overheating emotions.
verne
Posted by betternow on September 30, 2004, at 22:57:29
In reply to Re: Chronic Agitation, Anger, Impatience, posted by verne on September 30, 2004, at 22:25:42
> Being borderline I have problems with anger and even rage - or used to. I noticed my outbursts were worse when I took benzos like ativan. Like alcohol, it lowered my inhibitions.
>
> I'm taking inderal for high blood pressure but it also helps with anxiety and anger. It is sometimes prescribed for "rage" and is very calming.
>
> I'm also taking cymbalta and have noticed a slight increase in anger. Some of the SSRI's like prozac seem to do that. When prozac first came out I was in the hospital with a bunch of patients who had lost their temper and even attacked people while on prozac. It was the talk of group therapy.
>
> Meditation may also help with temper or any overheating emotions.
>
> verneThanks for your input verne.
I do take ativan only once a day before bed. I take it with 5mg ambien. It seems too help me stay asleep. Ambien gets me to sleep, but I will wake up at 3am or so as ambein has a short half-life. The ativan helps it work better for me.
To your point on cymbalta. I stopped it and restarted celexa. Cymbalta, Effexor, and to some degree Prozac are more stimulating and I believe this adds to anger potential. Celexa is pretty much serotonin only and therefore more calming.
My doc also started me on Lamactil. Does anyone have feedback on Lamactil? I hope it will even work as monotherapy and allow me to quit Celexa as I would like to have an orgasm again someday.
Hopefully getting
Betternow
Posted by betternow on September 30, 2004, at 23:02:05
In reply to Re: Chronic Agitation, Anger, Impatience, posted by HappyGirl on September 30, 2004, at 21:29:07
> Hi:
> >>>> mood stabilizer that helps one sleep. What side effects should I expect? <<<<
>
> --- 'Not able to sleep well'is a part of Bp II symptoms, ... due to either depressive, manic side, or even both sides of Bp II. Then, you certainly need a mood-stabilizer. In my personal opinion through the experience, Lithium is one of best mood-stabilizers as your Bp II sounds like a bit more 'manic' side than depressive one. For this form of Bp II, Lithium has a good reputation among its takers. As a matter of fact, I'm one of 'loyal' Lithium takers and quite happy about its results. However, Lithium does not offer a significant effect on your 'dysphoric'/rageous form of manic as you described in your previous/first post. Lithium has a good effect on both, depressive and manic sides, however a small capability to the dysphoric/rageous mania. Because, the dysphoric mania is a type of 'stubborn type' which is not easily controlled by traditional mood-stabilizers. For this manic, most of psychiatrists(pdocs.) rx anti-psycho.med., such as Zyprexa, Risperdal and Seroquel(milder anti-psycho.med.)in conjuction with Lithium.
>
> That be said, in Bp II, there are many different form of Bp, some saying even 15-20 classifications. For this reason, it's quite hard to distinguish to which form of Bp your symptoms belong. Only your pdoc. is able to dx properly and rx appropriate mood-stabilizer. Also, if you are quite manicky, anti-depressant must be avoided until your mania is semi-controlled. Because, any of anti-depressatns, particularly SSRIs, are prone to produce 'manic' episodes which, I believe you definitely hate to happen.
>
> In my suggestion, first of all, you need to make an appt. with your psychiatrist ASAP.
>
> Please let us know how you're doing afterwards.
> H.G.
>
>
Hi HappyGirlThanks for you additional input. I did see my doc today. He stopped Cymbalta and started Celexa saying it was more calming. He also started Lamactil to help provide additional mood control.
I will keep you up to date with progress.
If you have any experience with these let me know.
Thanks
Betternow
Posted by HappyGirl on October 1, 2004, at 14:59:18
In reply to Re: Chronic Agitation, Anger, Impatience, posted by betternow on September 30, 2004, at 23:02:05
Hi:
First of all, I'm glad to hear/read that you went to the pdoc. for the med. combo. Although I never been on either of med., Lamictal and Celexa, it seems both meds. are widely rxed for Bipolar II. Because, my Bp II is 'ultra' rapid cycler which is said to be a part of 'manic' related, then my pdoc. was hesitant to rx any anti-depressants including Lamictal which has a good effectiveness in depressive side of Bp II. In my case, Lithium and Zyprexa combo. has been offerring me normalcy without any prominent side-effects.
There are 'trials and errors' to find a right med. comb. for majority of Bp. Hopefully, Lamictal and Celexa combo. is working GREAT on your Bp symptoms.BTW, there are plenty of 'Lamictal' related threads you could find above on this board.
Please keep us posted your progress. We'll do the best to respond to any questions you have.
H.G.
This is the end of the thread.
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