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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 megj on October 26, 2005, at 23:41:52
Today I increased my Lex dose from 5 to 10mg. Since starting Lex, I've been taking xanax to relieve the anxiety caused by it. So I also increased the xan from .12 to .25 expecting to get a bigger dose of anxiety with the bigger dose of Lex.
The result was very interesting. I had an hour or so of feeling strange, not sure if I was about to have a panic attack or a breakthrough. Then it turned into a miracle. I felt really good. Not great, but normal, if there is such a thing. I was able to focus, eat, be productive at work and school. No anxiety whatsover. Barely a hint of depression. And I resumed making plans I had feared I needed to abandon due to my depression. I felt freer to be in the moment and be focused on what I was doing without getting irritated or frustrated.
I'm a bit concerned because the same thing happened to me four days into taking Lex 5mg. I felt really good and positive but the feeling good turned bad within three days.
How do you know the difference between hypomania and just feeling good? It felt wonderful not to be bogged down by constant depression today. But it also feels suspicious since I felt no sedation from the increased xanax and actually felt more alert.
Usually .25 is enough to make me sleepy. Right now it's after midnight and my body feels relaxed and bit tired but my head is still quite alert. I feel calm, but very awake. No racing thoughts or the need to do anything out of character.
Could I be having induced hypomania from Lex? Or is it just normal lifting of depression? Maybe some kind of latent BP II? I don't think I've have manic episodes or cycled in the past, but I've only paid attention to the times when I'm depressed. My last go around with Lex, my depression lifted very gradually. I didn't have a night-and-day type experience like today.
I've read a lot tonight about hypomania but it's so subjective and sketchy that it's hard for me to tell. Are there other symptoms associated with hypomania? And is it typical for AD's to set it off?
Thanks for any feedback
meg
Posted by MM on October 27, 2005, at 17:58:46
In reply to Hypomanic symptoms?, posted by megj on October 26, 2005, at 23:41:52
What happened after you stabilized on the Lexapro?
Posted by Phillipa on October 27, 2005, at 20:24:20
In reply to Re: Hypomanic symptoms? » megj, posted by MM on October 27, 2005, at 17:58:46
As long as you're not doing things out of character I wouldn't worry about it. It sounds like your having a possitive effect to lexapro and ativan. Good luck. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by megj on October 27, 2005, at 22:50:57
In reply to Re: Hypomanic symptoms? » megj, posted by MM on October 27, 2005, at 17:58:46
> What happened after you stabilized on the Lexapro?
It didn't take long at all to get stablized on Lex my first go with it. I began to notice a gradual improvement in my mood within a week and it just got better from there. I rarely cried and got only mildly bummed out about things from time to time. I can't say I was ever manic in the true sense, but I would get excited about new or fun things. That lasted over two years and I went off Lex thinking I was better. That's when it went bad - very gradually. I was at least 10 times worse going back on Lex this
time than I was two years ago.
It's been a totally different experience for me this time.
I do think I'm getting a good response today. I'm less "amped up" than yesterday with the same dose. I don't feel great, but not lousy either. I hope that's some sign for early poop-out.
Posted by MM on October 27, 2005, at 23:16:49
In reply to Re: Hypomanic symptoms?, posted by megj on October 27, 2005, at 22:50:57
Maybe because you went off of it and now you're trying it again you just need more. You aren't describing a real obvious hypomanic state and as long as it's not dysphoric mania, I say enjoy it.
Posted by megj on October 27, 2005, at 23:22:03
In reply to Re: Hypomanic symptoms? » megj, posted by MM on October 27, 2005, at 23:16:49
> Maybe because you went off of it and now you're trying it again you just need more. You aren't describing a real obvious hypomanic state and as long as it's not dysphoric mania, I say enjoy it.
I'm sorry, but I don't know what dysphoric mania is. Can you describe?
Thanks
Posted by MoparFan91 on October 27, 2005, at 23:43:16
In reply to Re: Hypomanic symptoms?, posted by megj on October 27, 2005, at 23:22:03
Dysphoric (Hypo)Mania consists of:
Rudeness, acting bossy, anger and foul temper, "It's Either My Way or NO WAY", vulgarity, argumentative, impatience, bitterness towards others, noises seem amplified, throwing things, going off on others, being a smart butt, everyone seems slow, getting into fights, honking your car horn at everyone when driving, road rage, super agitated, seething rage
just some general symptoms...
> > Maybe because you went off of it and now you're trying it again you just need more. You aren't describing a real obvious hypomanic state and as long as it's not dysphoric mania, I say enjoy it.
>
> I'm sorry, but I don't know what dysphoric mania is. Can you describe?
>
> Thanks
Posted by SLS on October 28, 2005, at 8:05:05
In reply to Hypomanic symptoms?, posted by megj on October 26, 2005, at 23:41:52
Does your mind race from one thought to another?
Do you speak rapidly and have trouble saying everything you want to?
Do you sleep for only 3 hours, but feel fully rested for the rest of the day?
Do you speak too loud?
Do you jump from task to task and accomplish very little?
Is your mind full of brilliant ideas?
Do people move too slowly for you and just get in your way?
Are you irritable with people to the point where you actually act out rage?
Do you spend too much money without good judgment?
Are you more interested in sex than you ever have been?
- Scott
Posted by megj on October 28, 2005, at 8:26:12
In reply to Re: Hypomanic symptoms?, posted by SLS on October 28, 2005, at 8:05:05
> Does your mind race from one thought to another?
No.
> Do you speak rapidly and have trouble saying everything you want to?I don't speak rapidly but have trouble saying what I want to say because I think I try to choose my words too carefully sometimes instead of saying what I think.
> Do you sleep for only 3 hours, but feel fully rested for the rest of the day?
If I get less than 6 hrs. I feel sleep deprived.
> Do you speak too loud?No, not really.
> Do you jump from task to task and accomplish very little?
No. I usually have difficulty iniating tasks due to depression.
> Is your mind full of brilliant ideas?
I haven't had a good idea, let alone a brilliant one in a long time.
> Do people move too slowly for you and just get in your way?
Sometimes, yes. I get annoyed when I get stuck in lines.
> Are you irritable with people to the point where you actually act out rage?
Irritable yes, but I don't act out rage.
> Do you spend too much money without good judgment?
No, I'm very frugal.
> Are you more interested in sex than you ever have been?
Not really.
> - ScottThanks, Scott. I think I assumed hypomania was a milder form of mania. Like it was more similar to euphoria than what you described. But maybe they're the same thing.
Anyway, thanks for the info, it really helped.
This is the end of the thread.
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