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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 chiron on June 23, 2007, at 22:22:52
So if SSRIs help PMS & PMDD, but are bad for bipolar, what do you do? I would assume take a stabilizer with an SSRI, but I have had some bad reactions with stabilizers (making me worse).
I am re-trying lamictal, but staying at a low dose. I have also started a low dose of Celexa & Synthroid along with my Xanax. Because it seems like I get worse as I increase dosage with a lot of medication trials, I was going to stay on the low doses for a while. (it has been about 4 weeks)
I have entered hormone hell (well I hope it is from my hormone shift). I have been crying, miserable, wanting to die, etc. I just starting having some light bleeding, and usually it is my heavy day where it eases up, but this is really bad.
Does anyone just take or increase an SSRI for part of the month?
Posted by med_empowered on June 23, 2007, at 22:26:33
In reply to Bipolar, PMS, + SSRIs, posted by chiron on June 23, 2007, at 22:22:52
could you maybe just up the xanax for the pms? or use another benzo?
Posted by Phillipa on June 23, 2007, at 23:07:28
In reply to Re: Bipolar, PMS, + SSRIs, posted by med_empowered on June 23, 2007, at 22:26:33
Also before menopause I had an OB-GYN that said to use B6 a natural diuretic. It worked for me for the headache I always got to. Figured if you gained water weight on your body maybe you do in your brain too hence the PMS? Just my own theory. Love Phillipa
Posted by chiron on June 23, 2007, at 23:08:06
In reply to Re: Bipolar, PMS, + SSRIs, posted by med_empowered on June 23, 2007, at 22:26:33
> could you maybe just up the xanax for the pms? or use another benzo?
I could try it, but I haven't heard of anyone doing that for pms depression. It would help the extra anxiety and probably the irritability. Any experience or research on the depression part?
Posted by BabyBunny on June 24, 2007, at 12:46:01
In reply to Re: Bipolar, PMS, + SSRIs » med_empowered, posted by chiron on June 23, 2007, at 23:08:06
Hi there. I too suffer from PMDD. I can't take ANYTHING BUT Benzos like Xanax. SSRI's, SNRI's, and all "mood stabilizers" I've tried haven't done squat for me! Actually they either throw me one way or another. Or usually I get into a mixed Bipolar Episode which is horrible.
Today is my last day to take Depakote as all it does is make me depressed, unmotivated, tired yet anxious, and gain weight. I can't say it helps me enough to take it. And Antidepressants just throw me into a mania so I won't even go there. Even Lamictal and Geodon make me manic even with Depakote or Lithium (which I DEFINITELY can't take).
So I would suggest Xanax or another anti-anxiety medication. Those are the only meds I truly believe in because they are life savers for me. Especially during PMS.
And I do agree with Phillipa that going the Vitamin way can help. But I would suggest a multivitamin and a magnesium/calcium supplement. Actually I would suggest taking this all the time. But then there are those who can't tolerate these things. When I am feeling anxious, vitamins only make my anxiety worse. But magnesium and calcium are good for anxiety. Just remember to take your magnesium/calcium 2 hours before or after any other meds or a multivitamin as they block absorption.
Take good care and I hope you feel better! I wish you the best as I am a fellow sufferer and can completely empathize.
Hugs,
Baby Bunny
Posted by chiron on June 24, 2007, at 22:15:45
In reply to Re: Bipolar, PMS, + SSRIs, posted by BabyBunny on June 24, 2007, at 12:46:01
Thank you so much for your response. Do you find Xanax helps with depression?
Depakote & Geodon also made me more depressed.
I haven't heard that vitamins/minterals can block med absorption?
Speaking of minerals, I have recently had a urine test to test for copper because my uncle has Wilson's disease (rare). And my copper was high. So I have since done a lot of research on copper & zinc (they see-saw each other). There are some studies where low zinc & high copper might contribute to depression (but because you don't hear about it in mainstream society I'm not sure what to think). But I won't take a multi because of the copper, but have been taking zinc, a B complex, and a calcium/mag pill for about 3 weeks now. Maybe they will help eventually?chiron
Posted by BabyBunny on June 25, 2007, at 9:02:16
In reply to Re: Bipolar, PMS, + SSRIs » BabyBunny, posted by chiron on June 24, 2007, at 22:15:45
Hi there! You're so very welcome! :)
Well I personally have very bad anxiety which i have been told more than once is the core of all my ailments... And what drives them as well. So for me, I would say it helps keep me up because if I get anxious it makes me depressed. I haope that makes sense.
But for others who don't experience anxiety every single day, I can't say whether or not it would help. Although i've had many Doctors tell me when someone has one of these they usually also have the other even if only to a lesser degree.
I guess it's a trial and error thing. Have you tried Effexor or Cymbalta? They may help you if an SSRI didn't. Or what about Wellbutrin? Although I can tell you that Wellbutrin IS stimulating and I don't believe it will help with PMS issues where the Effexor or Cymbalta might.
I hope my answer made sense and maybe helped in some way. Today is my 1st day without a mood stabilizer and I feel sorta weird. Guess I became used to it. I feel like I did when 1st went on it. Strange. LOL
Anyway, please feel free to ask away if you have anymore questions because I have quite a bit experience with PMS/PMDD. I also have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) which throws my hormones off even more! Fun fun fun I tell ya! :)
Take care! Have a great week!
Hugs,
Baby Bunny
> Thank you so much for your response. Do you find Xanax helps with depression?
> Depakote & Geodon also made me more depressed.
> I haven't heard that vitamins/minterals can block med absorption?
> Speaking of minerals, I have recently had a urine test to test for copper because my uncle has Wilson's disease (rare). And my copper was high. So I have since done a lot of research on copper & zinc (they see-saw each other). There are some studies where low zinc & high copper might contribute to depression (but because you don't hear about it in mainstream society I'm not sure what to think). But I won't take a multi because of the copper, but have been taking zinc, a B complex, and a calcium/mag pill for about 3 weeks now. Maybe they will help eventually?
>
> chiron
Posted by BabyBunny on June 25, 2007, at 9:15:22
In reply to Re: Bipolar, PMS, + SSRIs » BabyBunny, posted by chiron on June 24, 2007, at 22:15:45
Actually Calcium and magnesium can cause depression if you take too much. I'm sorry. I forgot to mention that!
It's happened to me before so I take very little. And maybe with your family history, you may too be very sensitive to minerals and vitamins.
I hope this helps too. :)
Take care!
> Thank you so much for your response. Do you find Xanax helps with depression?
> Depakote & Geodon also made me more depressed.
> I haven't heard that vitamins/minterals can block med absorption?
> Speaking of minerals, I have recently had a urine test to test for copper because my uncle has Wilson's disease (rare). And my copper was high. So I have since done a lot of research on copper & zinc (they see-saw each other). There are some studies where low zinc & high copper might contribute to depression (but because you don't hear about it in mainstream society I'm not sure what to think). But I won't take a multi because of the copper, but have been taking zinc, a B complex, and a calcium/mag pill for about 3 weeks now. Maybe they will help eventually?
>
> chiron
Posted by chiron on June 25, 2007, at 12:23:02
In reply to Re: Bipolar, PMS, + SSRIs » chiron, posted by BabyBunny on June 25, 2007, at 9:15:22
> Actually Calcium and magnesium can cause depression if you take too much. I'm sorry. I forgot to mention that!
That is good to know. Do you know how much is too much?
Ya, I've tried Cymbalta, Effexor, & Wellbutrin. The Wellbutrin use to help, but now I think it makes me feel worse. Or maybe I need to try just taking it at a really low dose. Who knows.
How did you find out you had PCOS?
Thanks again!
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