Posted by JahL on November 28, 2001, at 11:36:01
In reply to Re: New Drug 4 Social Phobia. BPII. » JahL, posted by Mitch on November 27, 2001, at 23:50:35
> I understand how antidepressants can accentuate the polarization of cycling (I have my doubts about the "aggravating the course of the illness" kindling theory,
Actually the theory proved to be true for me. Ever since I understood the concept of death I have been chronically suicidal. However when I began SSRIs the suicidal feelings became more acute. Effexor was the last straw & it wiped the floor with me. Ever since (& this goes back a few years) I've been acutely suicidal with no let-up. I have to take 3 medications a day just to feel twice as bad as I did before I sought treatment :-(
> IF you don't have a history of either "free-floating" or "situational" panic attacks,Just free-floating anxiety & social phobia.
> I really think that a pstim like Adderall or Dexedrine in a low dose has the best efficacy for bipolar depression and even seems to have a *mood-stabilizing* effect. If you don't have probs with panic, then, maybe a low-dose pstim in combination with a mood-stabilizer could work for you. I found Neurontin+Adderall worked superbly, but I have comorbid panic history that the pstim seemed to cause a lot of trouble with over time.
Unfortunately I've been to the States to try all the various pstims. Nothing, even @ high doses. This wasn't surprising; I used to take a lot of meth in base form & all it did was allow me to dance all night. Oh and some 'nice' insects-in-yr-hair hallucinations. The fact that I've tried over 40 meds shows you I've pretty much exhausted all conventional options.
>If you can find a way to get away from (or minimize) antidepressants to treat *anxiety* and stay stable on something else (like a pstim) that will effectively treat the bipolar depression-you have got it made.
Indeed. Trouble is, stability isn't what I'm after. My BPII is characterised by profound, unremitting depression, for which I need something with AD properties (I currently take Lamictal). I'm not sure what the answer is...I'm keen to add another MS or 2 but UK pdocs are v hesitant to engage in polypharmacy.
I guess I'm looking for this kind of stuff:
http://people.ne.mediaone.net/pmbrig/BP_pharm.htmlThanks,
J.
poster:JahL
thread:85200
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011123/msgs/85398.html