Posted by BarbaraCat on August 27, 2003, at 21:22:39
In reply to BARB!, Naturopath visit results, please read, posted by McPac on August 26, 2003, at 21:17:11
Deseryl and Trazadone are one and the same. I had to take 150mg to get an AD effect. Most docs stop at 50mg. I don't think it would be the best first line defense, but might be better than something like Buspar to control anxiety. But clonazapam would be my first choice. I can't even remember how many mornings I stumbled into work late because of traz hangover.
Remeron at 45mg is when I started feeling anxiety and unbalance. The NE effect that kicks in that level is pretty harsh. I'd put money on the possibility that this is what's contributing to your irritability. Why Remeron? I was a devoted fan for a while, but eventually dropped it like a hot potato. I clung on to it at 15mg for a few months after starting lithium and still felt icky. Someone on this board said 'just stop taking it, cold turkey'. I did. It was the easiest med to quit and I felt better almost immediately. I'm one of those classic cases who can't take SSRI's or their analogs because of the BP. Maybe there's another med that would work better for you. I just have a bad feeling about Remeron. It sure made me feel jittery once I got to 45mg. Here's a site I found on OCD and meds:
http://www.ocfoundation.org/ocf1050a.htm
You originally asked about BPI vs. BPII. Of course, BPI is more severe, that goes without question. I'm not sure if it's just a matter of degrees of symptoms or not. BPII is characterized by occasional hypomania but primarily depression that doesn't get better with SSRI's. BPI's have psychosis and frequent manias. If there are mixed states involved, BPI's are much more severe and hallucinogenic than BPIIs. There's a definite psychosis present. You might already be familiar with this website, but I think he's got the best BP info around:
http://www.psycheducation.com/depression/frameset.html
If I were you, here's what I'd do. I'd go back to your former dose of lithium, 600mg wasn't it? I'd take clonazepam, low dose, 3x a day for 2-3 weeks to break the anxiety cycle. I personally didn't get addicted to it at all and was able to take it when needed after that 3 week loading. I'd try to find some other med than Remeron. Perhaps you've tried others and this is the best one so far? Maybe it will be OK once you calm the anxiety with clonazapam. Maybe the lithium will calm things down. But I'm tellin' ya, Remeron is a strange one and there's got to be something else out there for you.
About Primal Defense. I'm about at 6 of those teeny little measures a day. I think it's helping cause I'm not feeling so toxic, but I sure wish I could poop a whole lot more. I thought PD was going to help with that. Oh well, irritable bowel syndrome is just one of those things that comes with fibromyalgia. As I get better, my plumbing will improve. PD is helping out in the meantime. My naturopath recommends it and if it's good enough for her, then by golly, it must be good. How about you? - Barbara
poster:BarbaraCat
thread:9730
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030823/msgs/254886.html