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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on November 8, 2007, at 2:13:50
I came across the website which talks about "soft" Bipolar II and it sounds like me more than anything else I've ever read. For 10 years, I have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder with underlying depression, but none of the SSRIs ever worked on me.
I had my first breakthrough on Seroquel two years ago, but when I had some life stressors hit me, the pdoc added EMSAM, along with keeping me on Seroquel (100mg) and Klonopin (3-4mg). Hearing Nardil was better for anxiety, I tried that this summer and had a great two months, feeling the best since all this started. I made the mistake of dropping from 15 to 45mg of Nardil in June, and when some life stressors hit me in August, I had a relapse and am still there. I had to move back in with my parents. I went back to 45mg Nardil for five weeks and now am on my third week of 60, for a total of eight weeks. Im not feeling anything yet, not like before. It took 9-10 weeks last time on Nardil, well my first time on Nardil.
But now after reading this website I am beginning to think I have been Bipolar II all along, and thats why no AD really worked, and Nardil still hasn't kicked in after eight weeks. When you read this, I am thinking more ppl might be like me. What would you do? Drop the Nardil and go back to Seroquel only? Go 2-3 more weeks on Nardil? Right now, its 60mg Nardil, 300mg Seroquel and 3-4mg Klonopin. Thanks, Michael
Posted by BetterDays on November 8, 2007, at 8:26:30
In reply to What best med to take for 'soft' BiPolar II?, posted by UgottaHaveHope on November 8, 2007, at 2:13:50
I too was diagnosed with Soft BiPolar II with the same symptoms you are describing - with some addiction issues. I had never been diagnosed as BiPolar II up until now, but was willing to sit with the possibility.
After years of trying SSRI's / SNRI's with no positive results, my PDoc recently prescribed Lithium (300mg 2x day) and Seroquel (150mg at night).
These meds have helped a lot (racing thoughts, irritability, compulsive behavior). The negative is that I have increased anxiety / panic attacks, which I am hoping is just a matter of tweaking the doses. I was always afraid of Lithium, no logical reason why, but am glad I tried it as it has been the most effective med I've been on.
Possibly worth a discussion with your Doctor?
Take Care.
> I came across the website which talks about "soft" Bipolar II and it sounds like me more than anything else I've ever read. For 10 years, I have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder with underlying depression, but none of the SSRIs ever worked on me.
>
> I had my first breakthrough on Seroquel two years ago, but when I had some life stressors hit me, the pdoc added EMSAM, along with keeping me on Seroquel (100mg) and Klonopin (3-4mg). Hearing Nardil was better for anxiety, I tried that this summer and had a great two months, feeling the best since all this started. I made the mistake of dropping from 15 to 45mg of Nardil in June, and when some life stressors hit me in August, I had a relapse and am still there. I had to move back in with my parents. I went back to 45mg Nardil for five weeks and now am on my third week of 60, for a total of eight weeks. Im not feeling anything yet, not like before. It took 9-10 weeks last time on Nardil, well my first time on Nardil.
>
> But now after reading this website I am beginning to think I have been Bipolar II all along, and thats why no AD really worked, and Nardil still hasn't kicked in after eight weeks. When you read this, I am thinking more ppl might be like me. What would you do? Drop the Nardil and go back to Seroquel only? Go 2-3 more weeks on Nardil? Right now, its 60mg Nardil, 300mg Seroquel and 3-4mg Klonopin. Thanks, Michael
>
> http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/frameset.html
Posted by Phillipa on November 8, 2007, at 10:57:11
In reply to What best med to take for 'soft' BiPolar II?, posted by UgottaHaveHope on November 8, 2007, at 2:13:50
Don't know what to tell you but that doc you saw you said was the best what does he say about it? Is it the anxiety of the nardil not kicking in again? Love Phillipa
Posted by Polarbear206 on November 8, 2007, at 12:20:45
In reply to What best med to take for 'soft' BiPolar II?, posted by UgottaHaveHope on November 8, 2007, at 2:13:50
> I came across the website which talks about "soft" Bipolar II and it sounds like me more than anything else I've ever read. For 10 years, I have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder with underlying depression, but none of the SSRIs ever worked on me.
>
> I had my first breakthrough on Seroquel two years ago, but when I had some life stressors hit me, the pdoc added EMSAM, along with keeping me on Seroquel (100mg) and Klonopin (3-4mg). Hearing Nardil was better for anxiety, I tried that this summer and had a great two months, feeling the best since all this started. I made the mistake of dropping from 15 to 45mg of Nardil in June, and when some life stressors hit me in August, I had a relapse and am still there. I had to move back in with my parents. I went back to 45mg Nardil for five weeks and now am on my third week of 60, for a total of eight weeks. Im not feeling anything yet, not like before. It took 9-10 weeks last time on Nardil, well my first time on Nardil.
>
> But now after reading this website I am beginning to think I have been Bipolar II all along, and thats why no AD really worked, and Nardil still hasn't kicked in after eight weeks. When you read this, I am thinking more ppl might be like me. What would you do? Drop the Nardil and go back to Seroquel only? Go 2-3 more weeks on Nardil? Right now, its 60mg Nardil, 300mg Seroquel and 3-4mg Klonopin. Thanks, Michael
>
> http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/frameset.html
Hi,I have directed many people on babble to this site for education. Dr. Phleps who runs this site is very reputable and has a book out right now about bipolar spectrum. It's on the home page. I would recommend getting a copy for yourself. Soft bipolar can be very difficult to diagnose. I basically diagnosed myself. Many soft bipolars need to be on an AD in addition to a mood stabilzer. Nardil is an excellent drug that should work well for your type of bipolar. Be patient and hopefully it will work for you like the first time. Seroquel will enhance the Nardil and keep you even. I have soft bipolar that effects my energy levels. More physical symptoms, atypical depression, and anxiety. My symptoms didn't subside until I added a mood stabilizer to my AD.
PB
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on November 15, 2007, at 2:08:07
In reply to Re: What best med to take for 'soft' BiPolar II? » UgottaHaveHope, posted by Polarbear206 on November 8, 2007, at 12:20:45
PolarBear:
How did you diagnose yourself with BPII? Is there some type of test you can take to see if you have it? Thanks, MichaelPS Check your PBabbleMail
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