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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by D minor on August 20, 2004, at 19:34:21
Hello,
I posted this on the regular page, but I thought I'd put it here to, just in case.I just registered so I'm new, but I've been reading messages for a while. I was diagnosed with Major Depression last year. Now my new pdoc thinks that episode may have been a mixed episode and that I, therefore, may be Bipolar. He wants to put me on Depakote, which I am terrified of. Does it really make you loose your hair?
Anyway, I'm not so sure I'm bipolar. What is the official definition of racing thoughts? I've had repetative thoughts and horrible thoughts that kept me up at night. But mainly I had this feeling like my brain was screaming or was on fire. Does that sound crazy? It was like there wasn't enough stimulation for my brain, like the world was moving to slow and I just wanted to bang my head on something.Please let me know what your bipolar experience has been if it's been anything like mine.
Peace and love-
Dm
Posted by bronte19 on August 21, 2004, at 18:47:53
In reply to What are racing thoughts? Depakote?, posted by D minor on August 20, 2004, at 19:34:21
I personally don't so much feel like my brain is on fire, but I do have this kind of electrical buzzing feeling in my head and it radiates out to the rest of my body when I really get at the height of "hypomania"--at least that's the term my pdoc uses. Occasionally, at the end of one of these phases, I feel like breaking things, but I usually just end up hurting people's feelings.
Posted by bronte19 on August 23, 2004, at 12:34:16
In reply to Re: What are racing thoughts? Depakote?, posted by bronte19 on August 21, 2004, at 18:47:53
Dm,
I think I have been experiencing a mixed state myself while I'm titrating up on Lamictal (minimal side effects--no hair fall out or weight gain, my concerns). I am irritable and angry and yet I am productive, organizing and cleaning like superwoman. My family has had just about enough, as it's been about a week that I've been like this.
I read a lot of posts on here using the search function to find out about different meds, particularly Topamax, Zoloft, and Lamictal. I found out a lot from others' experiences. However, if I mention anything to my pdoc about reading info online, she doesn't seem to think it's reliable or relevant to me (I hate that).
I always try to view medication like this: if it doesn't work or I can't handle the side effects (if they are long-term, of course), I can always ask for something different. I am in charge of my well-being; my pdoc just helps me along the way when I need it.
Posted by partlycloudy on August 23, 2004, at 14:46:53
In reply to What are racing thoughts? Depakote?, posted by D minor on August 20, 2004, at 19:34:21
Hello, D minor. I'm not on Depakote, but on Effexor and Wellbutrin for bipolar2 GAD and panic attacks, plus ambien and xanax.
My racing thoughts consist of not being able to concentrate on one thing at a time. Multi-tasking is a thing of the past, LOL! When I close my eyes at night, my thoughts speed up instead of slowing down.
Posted by D minor on August 24, 2004, at 0:11:29
In reply to Re: What are racing thoughts? Depakote?, posted by bronte19 on August 23, 2004, at 12:34:16
bronte19
I love looking up stuff on the internet about my meds, but I have the same feeling that it wouldn't be considered legit by my pdoc.What I'm about to share I know for a fact so you can ask your pdoc about it. If you want I can even give you the source so you don't have to say "the web." It's from a book called The Bipolar Dissorder Survival Guide. It's a very good book that you can pick up and Barnes and Noble or Boarders.
Anyway, if you are willing to try it, maybe you could try Depakote. I think I've decided to give it a try. I've been on Topamax, which made me loose 25 lbs. When I was on 200mg of it, it made me feel really dopy. Depakote, my doc says, can make you feel the same way BUT...
Depakote it known to work well and quickly, especially for mixed episodes. My pdoc says it works much better than Topamax. And my psychologist (who has taken psychopharmacology classes) says the others (lamictal, tryleptal, etc) don't work so well either. They haven't been studied as much as Lithium, Tegretol and Depakote (from the book).
I've also taken Zoloft, which had absolutly no affect on me. But that's because my problem have to deal with dopamine, so SSRIs don't work on me. Sorry this message was so long. Hope it helps,
Dm
> I think I have been experiencing a mixed state myself while I'm titrating up on Lamictal (minimal side effects--no hair fall out or weight gain, my concerns). I am irritable and angry and yet I am productive, organizing and cleaning like superwoman. My family has had just about enough, as it's been about a week that I've been like this.
>
> I read a lot of posts on here using the search function to find out about different meds, particularly Topamax, Zoloft, and Lamictal. I found out a lot from others' experiences. However, if I mention anything to my pdoc about reading info online, she doesn't seem to think it's reliable or relevant to me (I hate that).
>
> I always try to view medication like this: if it doesn't work or I can't handle the side effects (if they are long-term, of course), I can always ask for something different. I am in charge of my well-being; my pdoc just helps me along the way when I need it.
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 24, 2004, at 19:04:10
In reply to Re: What are racing thoughts? Depakote?, posted by D minor on August 24, 2004, at 0:11:29
> What I'm about to share I know for a fact so you can ask your pdoc about it. If you want I can even give you the source so you don't have to say "the web." It's from a book called The Bipolar Dissorder Survival Guide. It's a very good book that you can pick up and Barnes and Noble or Boarders.
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by D minor on August 24, 2004, at 22:06:46
In reply to Re: double double quotes » D minor, posted by Dr. Bob on August 24, 2004, at 19:04:10
Thank you,
the book is "The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide" I think it's excellent because it's interactive.
Dm
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 27, 2004, at 9:43:53
In reply to Re: double double quotes, posted by D minor on August 24, 2004, at 22:06:46
Posted by bronte19 on August 27, 2004, at 12:08:53
In reply to Re: What are racing thoughts? Depakote?, posted by D minor on August 24, 2004, at 0:11:29
D-minor:
Thanks for the book reference. I'm a book store junkie, so any excuse to purchase a book with a real purpose is always a great excuse to visit.
I'm afraid of Depakote because of the weight gain issue. I've gained 15 lbs in the past year. I really think it's a result of Zoloft because nothing has changed in my life style, athough I've really be trying to get enough sleep. I'm not eating poorly or exercising any less.
Part of the reason I'm researching Topamax is because of the possible weight loss. Few people would say that I heavy in my clothes, which have gone up from a size 8 to a 12, but naked, I won't even look in a mirror. I'm 5' 5" and currently passed 150#--a weight I last reached at 6 mos. pregnant. I don't want this to continue because it makes me depressed and obsessed with how bad I look.
Posted by D minor on August 29, 2004, at 1:54:59
In reply to Re: What are racing thoughts? Depakote?, posted by bronte19 on August 27, 2004, at 12:08:53
Bronte19,
I've been on Topamax for over a year, starting May 2003. I just quit it. I was put on it to stop my chronic migrains. For the first summer I was on it I lost about a pound every two days (I was weighing myself too much). In total I lost 25 lbs. But it really wasn't much fun and my family was really worried. I was obsessed with loosing weight. So yes, Topamax is good for weight loss (if you don't mind not haveing an appetite). But eventually your weight levels out and you won't loose any more. As far as Topamax as a mood stabilizer, I don't know because at the time they didn't think I was bipolar. But my new pdoc says that my manic symptoms may have been masked by it. And I do know someone who is taking it for a mood stabilizer.Thats about all I know about that :-!
Dm
Posted by bronte19 on August 30, 2004, at 13:16:33
In reply to Re: What are racing thoughts? Topamax, posted by D minor on August 29, 2004, at 1:54:59
Dm--
Thanks for sharing your experience. I'd just like to lose the weight I've gained on the Zoloft. I'm not doing so well on just 100mg of Lamictal. Actually, I'm feeling a whole lot worse the past few days--worse than I've felt in a long, long time, perhaps years--lots of sadness and anger. My husband told my son that I stubbed my toe and sent him down stairs on silly errands when I was sobbing in our bedroom. I hope will all my heart that I'm not damaging my son's psyche with my ups and downs.
Posted by D minor on September 1, 2004, at 0:18:06
In reply to Topamax, posted by bronte19 on August 30, 2004, at 13:16:33
Hey,
I don't have any kids of my own, but my theory is that they are good at adapting. So try not to worry. The best thing you can do for you and your familly if you are feeling bad is to be pro-active and see your pdoc. If lamictal istn't working, they may try putting you on Topamax, or something else that will do the trick. Just give it a try.Hope your feel better,
Dm
Posted by ants on September 29, 2004, at 15:22:40
In reply to What are racing thoughts? Depakote?, posted by D minor on August 20, 2004, at 19:34:21
Interesting...I think i have had similar episodes, but not in a while, and I haven't ever asked my doc about it...occasionally I will get the feeling that I am moving faster than the "outside world". I feel like I am moving in slow motion when I am doing normal things like brushing my teeth or walking down the street. Its like there is noise in my head, but not voices or any real sound, just a "busy" feeling...does this sound like "racing thoughts" or anything else anyone has heard of?
I just started effexor because I have been really moody and irritable and have frequent bouts of crying and depression. So far, i feel awesome. I love this drug--I don't even care about the withdrawal because I have actually started being "nice" again!
Posted by babblemama on October 22, 2004, at 1:18:52
In reply to What are racing thoughts? Depakote?, posted by D minor on August 20, 2004, at 19:34:21
> Hello,
>
> I posted this on the regular page, but I thought I'd put it here to, just in case.
>
> I just registered so I'm new, but I've been reading messages for a while. I was diagnosed with Major Depression last year. Now my new pdoc thinks that episode may have been a mixed episode and that I, therefore, may be Bipolar. He wants to put me on Depakote, which I am terrified of. Does it really make you loose your hair?
>
> Anyway, I'm not so sure I'm bipolar. What is the official definition of racing thoughts? I've had repetative thoughts and horrible thoughts that kept me up at night. But mainly I had this feeling like my brain was screaming or was on fire. Does that sound crazy? It was like there wasn't enough stimulation for my brain, like the world was moving to slow and I just wanted to bang my head on something.
>
> Please let me know what your bipolar experience has been if it's been anything like mine.
>
> Peace and love-
> DmMy thoughts race too fast for me to find them sometimes. It is like my thoughts are thinking of their own connectedness before I even think them. I have always been fascinated by puns, by the way words work...but beyond that, my thoughts feel like they are on some sort of high speed carosel, each is a colorful horse talking to another that it hasn't met yet. It feels kinda psychodelic. I am also epileptic, when my brain is like that it feels like it is plugged into some industrial sized outlet, like the kind that a big powerful tool needs, but everyone else has just a regular household outlet, like for a lamp. Then just as quickly it switches off. My neurologist put me on lamictal, mood stablizer/antiseizure med. Depakote was one I tried years ago, which is also indicated for both. Haven't heard about hair probs, it was so long ago, don't remember the side effects. You do not sound crazy. I don't think I do either, it's all a matter of chemistry. Better living through chemistry.
This is the end of the thread.
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