Posted by Geezer on May 3, 2002, at 18:41:36
In reply to now i'm bipolar!, posted by katieb on May 3, 2002, at 16:12:40
> so, i wanted to get some feedback on my latest doctors appt. my history is that i have had GAD for over 8 years (i'm 25) but did not start meds till about 6 months ago. i got up to 40mg paxil/15mg buspar and became hypomanic. went down to 30mg paxil and the anxiety and depression came back. last week i started tapering off the paxil and started on 20mg celexa (also cause of weight gain).
>
> basically i've had the most awful week ever, depressed, unmotivated, paranoid, etc. today at my appointment my doctor suggested that i may be bipolar and we might want to start mood stabilizers (he suggested wellbutrin) because the earlier you go on them the better the prognosis.
>
> what do people think? is this the history of someone who's bipolar (he said i was young enough that i hadn't had a manic episode yet).
>
> thanks!
> kateHi Kate,
This is only my opinion based on my own experience. I can't offer a DX but based on your reaction to the drugs you have been taking I can certainly understand your docs. concern. The symptoms you mention all fit.
If you are Bipolar, I believe, the first thing that needs to happen is stabilize the mood. I can attest to the misery of living with an incorrect DX and treatment with ADs only. You probably already know Wellbutrin is an AD not a mood stabilizer (Lithium, Depakote, Lamictal etc.). The current belief is Wellbutrin does not destabilize mood as much as some other ADs and is not usually associated with weight gain.
Maybe a trial of a mood stabilizer (especially at your age) would be a good idea. Just my opinion.
Very best
Geezer
poster:Geezer
thread:104956
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020503/msgs/104970.html