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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Desertdweller on April 30, 2006, at 15:44:50
Hi,
Hoping that people who have experience with bi-polar depression could comment. I have had pretty intense depression mixed with anxiety (the uncomfortable pacing type) for several months. Unremiting. Also feel "paniced" when the anxiety continues (or I get tired of pacing all day!). Have had some life event stressors like unemployment (walking off a long term job in a manic rage) and financial but it seems like I should be able to handle those instead hiding from the issues due to intense depression and anxiety.
I am taking 300 mgs of lamictal, 900 mgs of lithobid and 300 mgs of seroquel at night. I also take 75 mgs of seroquel during the day (prn)if the pacing gets real bad. Kind of a painful existence.
Is there anything other people have tried to break the bipolar depression/anxiety cycle? Why is it taking so long for the depression to recede (since October 2005)? Would be very greatful for any feedback.
Posted by med_empowered on April 30, 2006, at 16:33:28
In reply to Bipolar depression and anxiety, posted by Desertdweller on April 30, 2006, at 15:44:50
I think maybe you should ditch the seroquel and try a benzo--Klonopin is pretty good for bipolar.
Posted by blueberry on April 30, 2006, at 17:43:47
In reply to Bipolar depression and anxiety, posted by Desertdweller on April 30, 2006, at 15:44:50
I think one or even two of the meds are causing the anxiety. Lamictal can do that. Lithium gavve me wicked anxiety. And seroquel can give an akathisia feeling that resembles anxiety, especially the pacing part. Any of them could be worsening or not improving depression. Seroquel made me quite depressed.
You might have to think back and try to figure out which is doing what, when the problems started getting worse, and stuff like that.
In the meantime, you could start a benzo to get some immediate relief from the anxiety stuff. Not sure about the depression part. You might have to consider an ssri or snri. After getting through the first couple weeks of start-up anxiety, with the help of a benzo, they would likely contribute to taming down the anxiety.
I hate it when we are so heavily invested in medium or high doses of several meds and things are really bad. That's tough. Been there. Afraid of being there again. My heart is with you.
Posted by Desertdweller on April 30, 2006, at 19:02:57
In reply to Re: Bipolar depression and anxiety, posted by blueberry on April 30, 2006, at 17:43:47
Thanks for eveyone's comments. Blueberry, if you dont mind me asking, what did you find helpful after the failure of the two mood stablizers and the seroquel? Even though I've definately got the bipolar bug, I have had long periods of stability on just an antidepressant (prozac). I know the literature frowns on using an ssri without a moodstablizer, but monotherapy of just prozac worked. Curious if you've had the same experience.
Thanks againt to everyone.
Posted by linkadge on April 30, 2006, at 21:03:51
In reply to Re: Bipolar depresson, question for blueberry, posted by Desertdweller on April 30, 2006, at 19:02:57
I think that SSRI's can act as mood stabilizers for a lot of people.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on April 30, 2006, at 22:05:31
In reply to Re: Bipolar depresson, question for blueberry, posted by linkadge on April 30, 2006, at 21:03:51
Really? Love Phillipa
Posted by tallwaters1962 on May 1, 2006, at 6:35:19
In reply to Bipolar depression and anxiety, posted by Desertdweller on April 30, 2006, at 15:44:50
I have bipolar with a strong anxiety component. Many years ago Prozac took my anxiety away. But it was more of a manic high. good clue I was bipolar.
anyway today I take 60 cymbalta,20 abilify which I found to be a great mood stabilizer in conjunction with all my meds. It also stopped racing thoughts.
I also take adderall 40 mgs and synthroid 50mgs and allowed 4 mgs of klonopin a day. also for sleep restoril or seroqueol I only take the sero if I feel myself to overwhelemed. I feel for you .. Keep trying different combos eventually you'll get it and writing down my feelings helps.Rainee
Posted by Desertdweller on May 1, 2006, at 13:25:11
In reply to Re: Bipolar depression and anxiety, posted by tallwaters1962 on May 1, 2006, at 6:35:19
Thanks for everyone's feedback. Rainee, I noticed you're taking a stimulant in your med mix. Don't you find that destablizing? Or does the abilify and klonopin keep everything in check? I used Klonopin and stimulants for years and in my case, I think the Stimulants could have quickended my cycling and subsequent meltdown. That was also before my BPolar diagnosis (diagnosed for years prior as ADD).
Would like to get an antidepressant on board and recently I've tried the ENSAM patch which made me just too nervous. Apparently, hits the same receptor sites as a stimulant. Funny how the brain and body change after a meltdown. I used to drink several esspresos a day, take a stimulant and calm down by using klonopin and a beta blocker and felt fine (maybe a little too fine). Now I can barely drink decaf!
Its great you found a cocktail that works.
Thanks again for your feedback
Desertdweller
Posted by Phillipa on May 1, 2006, at 18:30:40
In reply to Re: Bipolar depression and anxiety, posted by tallwaters1962 on May 1, 2006, at 6:35:19
Rainee I think you made a mistake in the amount of synthroid you take. love Phillipa ps it's RX'd in mcg. A mg is much larger I sure you know that.
Posted by tallwaters1962 on May 5, 2006, at 21:01:54
In reply to Re: Bipolar depression and anxiety » tallwaters1962, posted by Phillipa on May 1, 2006, at 18:30:40
This is the end of the thread.
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