![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 814 to 838 of 948. Go back in thread:
Posted by jujube on December 29, 2004, at 21:43:30
In reply to Re: Light box » jujube, posted by katia on December 29, 2004, at 21:28:43
Hi!
Yes, I have been using a light box for a number of months now. I find it makes a difference, especially sinse the days have gotten much shorter. I didn't use it Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and I noticed a difference in my mood and energy levels.
Hope you can get past the nausea and start to get even more benefits from the light box.
Take care.
Tamara
> Hi, I remember you!
> yes, it seemed to snap me out of it. I still feel tired some and slightly down, but much better than when the time changed.
> I can't remember, do you use one?
> Katia
>
> > Katia,
> >
> > I'm glad to hear that the lightbox has been providing you with some relief. That is good news!
> >
> > Tamara
> >
> > > However, I've heard full spectrum is the best - just what I've heard.
> > >
> > > Boy, my light box must be a very strong one...I've had to restart it with 5 min. increments due to the nausea and I'm up to a measly 10 min. and the nausea has come back some what!
> > > Maybe 8 min for me a day! But at least I'm not that depressed. It did pull me up some.
> > > Katia
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by katia on December 29, 2004, at 21:51:25
In reply to Re: Light box » katia, posted by jujube on December 29, 2004, at 21:43:30
I see you're probably British? Boxing day....
Did you have problems with the nausea?
Katia
Posted by jujube on December 29, 2004, at 21:59:05
In reply to Re: Light box » jujube, posted by katia on December 29, 2004, at 21:51:25
Canadian actually.
I didn't have problems with nausea when I started using the light box. I did experience some eye sensitivities and a mild headache, but both of those were short-lived.
Perhaps you could try taking some ginger capsules or drinking some ginger tea to relieve the nausea so as to allow you to increase your use of the light box and provide further benefits. Ginger is an excellent anti-nauseant. I believe there have even been studies done on its effectiveness.
Tamara
> I see you're probably British? Boxing day....
>
> Did you have problems with the nausea?
> Katia
Posted by katia on December 29, 2004, at 22:04:12
In reply to Re: Light box » katia, posted by jujube on December 29, 2004, at 21:59:05
Of course....Canadian. Lucky you. I wish I'd been born there rather than here in the U.S....
I do know about ginger and went to my Chinese herbalist. He gave me loads of herbs and ginger was included to make a tea. It's not working in regards to the light box and nausea...b/c I had to stop the box when I went to Miami for five days and the nausea subsided AND I was drinking the tea. Now I'm still drinking the tea and using the box and it's coming back. Maybe I"ll try tablets in addition to.
What part of Canada? How old are you? I'm 34.
Katia> Canadian actually.
>
> I didn't have problems with nausea when I started using the light box. I did experience some eye sensitivities and a mild headache, but both of those were short-lived.
>
> Perhaps you could try taking some ginger capsules or drinking some ginger tea to relieve the nausea so as to allow you to increase your use of the light box and provide further benefits. Ginger is an excellent anti-nauseant. I believe there have even been studies done on its effectiveness.
>
> Tamara
>
> > I see you're probably British? Boxing day....
> >
> > Did you have problems with the nausea?
> > Katia
>
>
Posted by jujube on December 29, 2004, at 22:13:22
In reply to Re: Light box » jujube, posted by katia on December 29, 2004, at 22:04:12
That's too bad that the ginger tea didn't help. The capsules might be more concentrated and may be worth a try.
I am in my early 40s, and I live in the province of Ontario. I have also lived in Quebec, British Columbia and, when I was really, really young, New Brunswick for a very short period of time. I like Canada, but there are a lot of nice places to live in the U.S. as well. My family has relatives in Detroit, Michigan, Texas and California. I used to wish I had been born in the U.S. or, at a minimum, has dual citizenship. But, Canada is home, and I have no complaints.
Tamara
> Of course....Canadian. Lucky you. I wish I'd been born there rather than here in the U.S....
>
> I do know about ginger and went to my Chinese herbalist. He gave me loads of herbs and ginger was included to make a tea. It's not working in regards to the light box and nausea...b/c I had to stop the box when I went to Miami for five days and the nausea subsided AND I was drinking the tea. Now I'm still drinking the tea and using the box and it's coming back. Maybe I"ll try tablets in addition to.
> What part of Canada? How old are you? I'm 34.
> Katia
>
> > Canadian actually.
> >
> > I didn't have problems with nausea when I started using the light box. I did experience some eye sensitivities and a mild headache, but both of those were short-lived.
> >
> > Perhaps you could try taking some ginger capsules or drinking some ginger tea to relieve the nausea so as to allow you to increase your use of the light box and provide further benefits. Ginger is an excellent anti-nauseant. I believe there have even been studies done on its effectiveness.
> >
> > Tamara
> >
> > > I see you're probably British? Boxing day....
> > >
> > > Did you have problems with the nausea?
> > > Katia
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by katia on December 29, 2004, at 22:21:23
In reply to Re: Light box » katia, posted by jujube on December 29, 2004, at 22:13:22
I'll try the ginger pills.
Canada just seems more grownup and civilized. The systems especially.
Yes, Cal. is great. that's where I live.Are you on any other meds? I'm on Triletpal 450mg, Paxil 12.5mg, and Seroquel 25mg at night, fish oil, and now just started St. John's Wort and want to phase out the Paxil.
I'm Bipolar II apparently, whatever that means.
Katia
Posted by jujube on December 30, 2004, at 9:51:38
In reply to Re: Light box » jujube, posted by katia on December 29, 2004, at 22:21:23
I am currently taking Anafranil (a TCA AD), Celexa (small dose) and Xanax when needed. I am having a hard time with the Anafranil, and, if things don't improve in the next couple of weeks, will likely be switching it. I don't have Bipolar. I just have depression, anxiety (general and social) and, apparently, adjustment disorder (which I think is just a convoluted way of saying I had a bit of a meltdown).
Good luck with the St. John's Wort. I would be interested to hear how you do on it.
Tamara
> I'll try the ginger pills.
> Canada just seems more grownup and civilized. The systems especially.
> Yes, Cal. is great. that's where I live.
>
> Are you on any other meds? I'm on Triletpal 450mg, Paxil 12.5mg, and Seroquel 25mg at night, fish oil, and now just started St. John's Wort and want to phase out the Paxil.
> I'm Bipolar II apparently, whatever that means.
> Katia
Posted by iris2 on December 30, 2004, at 11:36:54
In reply to Re: Light box » Paintmom, posted by katia on December 27, 2004, at 15:32:57
I've had my light box for years and have not lused it since I first bought it. I do not remember what time of day to use it or for how long. Can you advise me?
Thanks,
irene
Posted by katia on December 30, 2004, at 12:53:05
In reply to Re: Light box » katia, posted by iris2 on December 30, 2004, at 11:36:54
> I've had my light box for years and have not lused it since I first bought it. I do not remember what time of day to use it or for how long. Can you advise me?
>
> Thanks,
>
> ireneHi,
Well, if you're using it for depression, I have read that it's best to use it within an hour of waking. And start with 30 min. and see how you go and most people need less after awhile. I've also read that if you feel a slump during the day, use it again for 5-10 min. in the afternoon to get a lift. You also need to sit approx. 12 inches from it and look occasionly right into the light. THe distance varies depending on the box, but 12 in./ 1 foot is probably ok.
You can read about the use at www.apollolight.comJust curious, why have you not used it before?
Posted by iris2 on December 30, 2004, at 13:15:50
In reply to Re: Light box, posted by katia on December 30, 2004, at 12:53:05
I don't think I thought it helped when sI used it after I bought it so I have not tried it again. I was not as depressed and on medication that was working at the time so this would be very different.
Posted by katia on December 30, 2004, at 13:17:39
In reply to Re: Light box, posted by iris2 on December 30, 2004, at 13:15:50
What kind do you have?
I have the apollo IV and it works. I snapped out of it almost right away.
Posted by iris2 on December 30, 2004, at 13:25:43
In reply to Re: Light box, posted by katia on December 30, 2004, at 13:17:39
I do not remember. It is in a box in my closet. I used to have a pamphlet with it but I have lost it. If I take it out and look at it and it says I will post it.
Thanks,
irene
Posted by barbaracat on December 30, 2004, at 14:32:03
In reply to Re: Light box, posted by katia on December 30, 2004, at 13:17:39
Hi Katia,
That's great news. Just curious, do you get the same kind of depressions in the summer? If so, could it be not getting enough sunlight in the Summer as well? In other words, do you think there's something about the time of year itself or is it lack of sunlight no matter what time of year? Makes me wonder about getting enough Vitamin D.BTW, adding 1 capsule of the Flora full-spectrum SJW did the trick, feels as good as it did before. Chemistry is amazing. - Barbara
> What kind do you have?
> I have the apollo IV and it works. I snapped out of it almost right away.
Posted by katia on December 30, 2004, at 20:15:14
In reply to Re: Light box - Vitamin D? » katia, posted by barbaracat on December 30, 2004, at 14:32:03
Yes, I"m just dysthymic; mild to mod depression in and out throughout the year, but it's ALWAYS worse in the winter time. I'm feeling somewhat "normal" now. So who knows what it is - all of the above of what I'm doing for myself and have been med/herb/oil/diet wise. Maybe I"m finally evening out after 2 1/2 years of med trials and a lifetime of hellish mood swings. We'll see....
Glad to hear you are doing better! Guess what? I went to that place we went to today for an interview and I got the job. At least it's a switch from what I am doing even if it's still in the biz....for now it'll have to do as I'm BROKE!
KatiaI'm not sure if I get Vit. D from this sunbox.
> Hi Katia,
> That's great news. Just curious, do you get the same kind of depressions in the summer? If so, could it be not getting enough sunlight in the Summer as well? In other words, do you think there's something about the time of year itself or is it lack of sunlight no matter what time of year? Makes me wonder about getting enough Vitamin D.
>
> BTW, adding 1 capsule of the Flora full-spectrum SJW did the trick, feels as good as it did before. Chemistry is amazing. - Barbara
>
>
> > What kind do you have?
> > I have the apollo IV and it works. I snapped out of it almost right away.
>
>
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 30, 2004, at 22:18:45
In reply to Re: Light box - Vitamin D?, posted by katia on December 30, 2004, at 20:15:14
> I'm not sure if I get Vit. D from this sunbox.
If the light can't give you a sunburn, then it can't give you vitamin D. All lightboxes are shielded against UV light, so that also blocks vitamin D formation in the skin.
Lar
Posted by barbaracat on December 31, 2004, at 17:39:53
In reply to Re: Light box - Vitamin D?, posted by katia on December 30, 2004, at 20:15:14
Congrats on the job! A new job always provides an interesting diversion. And money is a very good thing. Life is unnecessarily hard without it.
I was doing great until I did a bit too much celebrating last night with the swamp juice. Today, ugggghhh. It really affects my moods, energy, memory (big holes in memory), nauseous, headache, hurt relationships. After tonight's champagne toast I believe it's parting ways for me and that beautiful poison.
I will be calling Theresa now that it's the new year and company and stuff are gone and life is settling down. I believe I'll need some help sticking to this New Year's Resolution and hope she can provide some support. So, here's to a wonderful New Year and out with the old. Barbara
> Yes, I"m just dysthymic; mild to mod depression in and out throughout the year, but it's ALWAYS worse in the winter time. I'm feeling somewhat "normal" now. So who knows what it is - all of the above of what I'm doing for myself and have been med/herb/oil/diet wise. Maybe I"m finally evening out after 2 1/2 years of med trials and a lifetime of hellish mood swings. We'll see....
> Glad to hear you are doing better! Guess what? I went to that place we went to today for an interview and I got the job. At least it's a switch from what I am doing even if it's still in the biz....for now it'll have to do as I'm BROKE!
> Katia
>
> I'm not sure if I get Vit. D from this sunbox.
>
> > Hi Katia,
> > That's great news. Just curious, do you get the same kind of depressions in the summer? If so, could it be not getting enough sunlight in the Summer as well? In other words, do you think there's something about the time of year itself or is it lack of sunlight no matter what time of year? Makes me wonder about getting enough Vitamin D.
> >
> > BTW, adding 1 capsule of the Flora full-spectrum SJW did the trick, feels as good as it did before. Chemistry is amazing. - Barbara
> >
> >
> > > What kind do you have?
> > > I have the apollo IV and it works. I snapped out of it almost right away.
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Dave001 on December 31, 2004, at 20:59:55
In reply to Re: Light box - Vitamin D? » katia, posted by Larry Hoover on December 30, 2004, at 22:18:45
> > I'm not sure if I get Vit. D from this sunbox.
>
> If the light can't give you a sunburn, then it can't give you vitamin D. All lightboxes are shielded against UV light, so that also blocks vitamin D formation in the skin.
>Why is UV light necessary for a sunburn? Is the skin unable to absorb energy from the spectrum of light with wavelengths below 400 nm?
Posted by Dave001 on December 31, 2004, at 21:24:55
In reply to Re: Light box - Vitamin D?, posted by Dave001 on December 31, 2004, at 20:59:55
> > > I'm not sure if I get Vit. D from this sunbox.
> >
> > If the light can't give you a sunburn, then it can't give you vitamin D. All lightboxes are shielded against UV light, so that also blocks vitamin D formation in the skin.
> >
>
> Why is UV light necessary for a sunburn? Is the skin unable to absorb energy from the spectrum of light with wavelengths below 400 nm?Oops. I meant to say above 400 nm.
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 31, 2004, at 22:33:58
In reply to Re: Light box - Vitamin D?, posted by Dave001 on December 31, 2004, at 21:24:55
> > > > I'm not sure if I get Vit. D from this sunbox.
> > >
> > > If the light can't give you a sunburn, then it can't give you vitamin D. All lightboxes are shielded against UV light, so that also blocks vitamin D formation in the skin.
> > >
> >
> > Why is UV light necessary for a sunburn? Is the skin unable to absorb energy from the spectrum of light with wavelengths below 400 nm?
>
> Oops. I meant to say above 400 nm.It absorbs that >400 nm light, and turns it into heat. The lower the wavelength, the greater the energy. Bond-disrupting energies come roughly below 320 nanometers, about the limit of UV-A. UV-A is the tanning band. UV-B, the more intense of the two UV bands (down to 290 nm), is responsible for vitamin D formation, and about 90% of the injury we call sunburn. Shorter wavelengths than UV-B are pretty much absorbed by atmospheric gases.
Sunscreens that block UV-B do help reduce sunburn, but they reduce vitamin D formation just as much.
Lar
Posted by katia on January 1, 2005, at 4:37:46
In reply to Re: Light box - Vitamin D? » katia, posted by barbaracat on December 31, 2004, at 17:39:53
Good to hear from you my friend Barbara!
And a VERY happy new year to you, love.
I'm glad you feel resolved in working things out for the new year and calling Theresa...I think you should anyway.Hey, you know one thing I noticed right away with you "the next morning"? YOu carry so much guilt. And the morning after is your way of cleansing and getting clear I saw. You were pledging sobriety before the coffee was served! I admire your resolve, but I also want to say, don't be so damn hard on yourself! You're tying yourself in knots! I think this is where a life coach can really support you. Whether you quit or not, but just getting a grip on the perspective you're choosing. I wholly heartedly encourage you to contact her Madame Barabara!
Happy Happy New year to you, you lovely soul.
Katia
Posted by barbaracat on January 1, 2005, at 19:02:08
In reply to Re: Light box - Vitamin D? » barbaracat, posted by katia on January 1, 2005, at 4:37:46
Dear Katia,
That's very sweet of you to say that. I've been told I'm too hard on myself by many others, but somehow, coming from you it's very special and allows me to hear it. I'd tend to take something like that more seriously from someone who's had her wok puked in.Alot of it is also how physically crummy and depressed I feel the next day, and when I'm depressed I tend to lost perspective and beat myself up (sure, that's just what I need, kick her when she's down). Anyhow, I enjoyed a nice bottle of champers and some toasts of scotch last night with no blank memory holes at all and feel great today. It's those blank parts in the evening that worry me cause I usually end up doing something assinine - my bipolar juvanile delinquent usually shows up.
No way I'm going to give up liquor. As long as I can drink in moderation to keep my memories of the evening, and get enough sleep and water, I'll be toasting on over to the Other Side - with Rock and Merlin of course (wonder what they'd imbibe?). Talk to you later on in this New Year. Love, B.
> Good to hear from you my friend Barbara!
> And a VERY happy new year to you, love.
> I'm glad you feel resolved in working things out for the new year and calling Theresa...I think you should anyway.
>
> Hey, you know one thing I noticed right away with you "the next morning"? YOu carry so much guilt. And the morning after is your way of cleansing and getting clear I saw. You were pledging sobriety before the coffee was served! I admire your resolve, but I also want to say, don't be so damn hard on yourself! You're tying yourself in knots! I think this is where a life coach can really support you. Whether you quit or not, but just getting a grip on the perspective you're choosing. I wholly heartedly encourage you to contact her Madame Barabara!
>
> Happy Happy New year to you, you lovely soul.
> Katia
Posted by resa on January 20, 2005, at 20:16:50
In reply to Re: Light box - Vitamin D?, posted by katia on December 30, 2004, at 20:15:14
Hello, This is my first time, so... it's scary? (in a good way)
Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone out there has other chronic illnesses that make significant contributions to their moods - like rhuematoid arthritis?I was diagnosed with JRA at 11, and have been suffering with chronic pain and fatigue for 20 years. The past year has been tremenedously difficult and I have sought out psychological help and been prescribed anti-depressents like wellbutrin and lexapro (with no great results). Because of chronic arthritic pain, fibromyalgia, bone degeneration in the TM joint, slippage at C1-C2, and severe arthritis in C4-5, I have also been on many other drugs like neurontin, zyprexa, vicodin, mobic, skelaxin, diazepam, AMITRIPTYLINE, GABAPENTIN, CYCLOBENZAPRINE, LEVAQUIN, and SULFAMETH to ease the suffering (again, with no great benefit). In December there was an overload (or more accurately, a meltdown) and I was in the ICU from an overdose of Elavil (amitriptyline). It's now become painfully clear that the highs/lows are bipolar manic/depressive episodes and dangerous to myself and my relationships. I always just thought I was naturally enthusiastic.
My question I guess is this: with a chronic illness that is so heavily integrated with your moods, how do you know which to treat first and how? I know I feel better when my body doesn't hurt (treat the physical side!), but I also know that my body doesn't hurt as much when I am in a good mood (treat the mind!). I feel like all of my doctors are on different pages and they are all just guessing! How can you get full mind and body care?
I've always felt like I need the highs to make up for the lows, but finally I am in a relationship that I want to stick around and my constant mood swings, irritablitly and unpredictability are wearing thin on both of us.Any thoughts or advice would be cherished.
Resa.
Posted by iris2 on January 21, 2005, at 9:37:34
In reply to Mood stabilizers and Juvenile Rhuematoid Arthritis, posted by resa on January 20, 2005, at 20:16:50
I have had major depression for most of my life but in the past ten years or so have had a chronic decease of interstitial cystitis (a diseased of the bladder
To you question. I am not sure I have the answers for you. For me it is an emotional decision about which illness I am currently trying to work with more. It seems that as soon as I get one a little better the other illness becomes the vital one to treat. For me whichever one is bothering me more at the moment is the one I want to focus on. I think it makes some sense as you eloquently wrote that the emotional affects the physical and visa versa. One does not want to go quickly from one to the other with no results however. I think it is a balancing act. You need to have your doctor’s listen to you but at the same time be able to listen to them. One specialist might focus more on what he is trained to. I had a psychiatrist who was well versed with people with chronic pain and his ability to have empathy for it and me I have found to be very helpful. I suggest that you find at least one treating doctor who has the ability to treat or at least take into account both your illnesses at once. In the end only you know for sure what is needed in the immediate. For me it also took some experience with the illnesses so the doctor’s input initially was more helpful. You know what your personal goals are in your life and need to tailor your treatments to meet those goals.
irene
Posted by barbaracat on January 21, 2005, at 10:43:29
In reply to Mood stabilizers and Juvenile Rhuematoid Arthritis, posted by resa on January 20, 2005, at 20:16:50
Dear Resa, welcome to our group. I can relate quite well with your dilemma since so much of it is familiar. I have fibromyalgia, which began to surface in earnest in 1998. Along with my long-standing mood disorder, this extra physical burden made life unbearable. Many physical problems were associated, hypothyroidism, irritable bowel syndrome, etc.
I'd always believed a had major depression and was being treated for it. I never associated my particular symptoms with what you typically hear about bipolar so never made the connection. The serotonin drugs worked OK for a while but eventually turned against me big time and my life became one big constant panic attack and physical pain. My pdocs would just increase the SSRI's.
A few years ago, mainly due to this board, I suggested to my pdoc that I might be bipolar and we tried lithium. It took a little while for my chemistry to settle down, but it was definitely the right decision. I'm no means 'better' but feel I have my life back, and many of my other symptoms have improved. Prior to this, the stress from trying to deal with my horrible emotional state was wearing me out.
If you're bipolar, you must treat that first. That's an unwritten credo. Nothing else is going to 'take' in your emotional or physical treatments and believe me, it does not get better on it's own but worsens with time. You may still need a serotonin based med (so much of the problems you mention and I deal with have some basis in a serotonin disorder) but without a successful mood stabilizer, the typical antidepressants are poison for a bipolar.
You might also look into seeing a nutritionally oriented physician. I had alot of hormonal testing, intestinal bacterial tests, blood sugar, etc. and there were quite a few things off. Who knows what contributes to what and it's all interrelated. You've got to approach it from all levels. But to give it a fighting chance, you need to remove that huge neurological bottleneck. I'm grateful that lithium worked so well for me. It's allowed other meds to work better as well. But there are others out there that work better for other people. Such a trial and error business. You'd think we'd be able to have a full diagnostic body scan by now instead of this dart-board approach. Good luck and keep us posted. - BarbaraCat
Hello, This is my first time, so... it's scary? (in a good way)
> Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone out there has other chronic illnesses that make significant contributions to their moods - like rhuematoid arthritis?
>
> I was diagnosed with JRA at 11, and have been suffering with chronic pain and fatigue for 20 years. The past year has been tremenedously difficult and I have sought out psychological help and been prescribed anti-depressents like wellbutrin and lexapro (with no great results). Because of chronic arthritic pain, fibromyalgia, bone degeneration in the TM joint, slippage at C1-C2, and severe arthritis in C4-5, I have also been on many other drugs like neurontin, zyprexa, vicodin, mobic, skelaxin, diazepam, AMITRIPTYLINE, GABAPENTIN, CYCLOBENZAPRINE, LEVAQUIN, and SULFAMETH to ease the suffering (again, with no great benefit). In December there was an overload (or more accurately, a meltdown) and I was in the ICU from an overdose of Elavil (amitriptyline). It's now become painfully clear that the highs/lows are bipolar manic/depressive episodes and dangerous to myself and my relationships. I always just thought I was naturally enthusiastic.
>
> My question I guess is this: with a chronic illness that is so heavily integrated with your moods, how do you know which to treat first and how? I know I feel better when my body doesn't hurt (treat the physical side!), but I also know that my body doesn't hurt as much when I am in a good mood (treat the mind!). I feel like all of my doctors are on different pages and they are all just guessing! How can you get full mind and body care?
>
>
> I've always felt like I need the highs to make up for the lows, but finally I am in a relationship that I want to stick around and my constant mood swings, irritablitly and unpredictability are wearing thin on both of us.
>
> Any thoughts or advice would be cherished.
>
> Resa.
Posted by Ritch on January 21, 2005, at 11:58:07
In reply to Mood stabilizers and Juvenile Rhuematoid Arthritis, posted by resa on January 20, 2005, at 20:16:50
> Hello, This is my first time, so... it's scary? (in a good way)
> Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone out there has other chronic illnesses that make significant contributions to their moods - like rhuematoid arthritis?
>
> I was diagnosed with JRA at 11, and have been suffering with chronic pain and fatigue for 20 years. The past year has been tremenedously difficult and I have sought out psychological help and been prescribed anti-depressents like wellbutrin and lexapro (with no great results). Because of chronic arthritic pain, fibromyalgia, bone degeneration in the TM joint, slippage at C1-C2, and severe arthritis in C4-5, I have also been on many other drugs like neurontin, zyprexa, vicodin, mobic, skelaxin, diazepam, AMITRIPTYLINE, GABAPENTIN, CYCLOBENZAPRINE, LEVAQUIN, and SULFAMETH to ease the suffering (again, with no great benefit). In December there was an overload (or more accurately, a meltdown) and I was in the ICU from an overdose of Elavil (amitriptyline). It's now become painfully clear that the highs/lows are bipolar manic/depressive episodes and dangerous to myself and my relationships. I always just thought I was naturally enthusiastic.
>
> My question I guess is this: with a chronic illness that is so heavily integrated with your moods, how do you know which to treat first and how? I know I feel better when my body doesn't hurt (treat the physical side!), but I also know that my body doesn't hurt as much when I am in a good mood (treat the mind!). I feel like all of my doctors are on different pages and they are all just guessing! How can you get full mind and body care?
>
>
> I've always felt like I need the highs to make up for the lows, but finally I am in a relationship that I want to stick around and my constant mood swings, irritablitly and unpredictability are wearing thin on both of us.
>
> Any thoughts or advice would be cherished.
>
> Resa.
Hi Resa, you might want to consider trying out Tegretol if you haven't already (you didn't list your current mood stabilizer). Tegretol has been used for a long time for chronic pain syndromes and works really well for bipolar. Hope this helps some-- Mitch
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
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.