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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 662 to 686 of 948. Go back in thread:
Posted by pink spida on December 12, 2003, at 11:13:47
In reply to Re: can someone please help me!!!, posted by Notalis on December 10, 2003, at 5:07:07
Hey! i was wondering if any of u with cyclothymia have problems with focusing and attention span?? i went to see a Doc. and she diagnose me with depression, but my psy teach say its probably cyclothymia. i dont have much problems with the mood swings... infact i kinda enjoy it.... it gives me creative ideas. the thing thats affecting my life now is my attention span. i cant focus on anything for long, and the attention period decrease to almost zero during the blues. when im happy, i seem to be distracted by having too many things to do, and i cant complete anything.
If the attention span is part of cyclothymia, then is there a way to increase may attention without stabalizing my mood too much?? im having an appointment with the Doc. next week and i would like to be able to discuss a few alternatives with her. Spanks alot guys.
Posted by fluffy on December 12, 2003, at 11:28:08
In reply to hey! im new here, posted by pink spida on December 12, 2003, at 11:13:47
Hi pink--
I think you'll find that after treatment w/ mood stabilizers (if you are indeed cyclothymic), you may be pretty content with being more stable. Taking mood stabilizers has definitely helped my attention span, and honestly, it's great. I can get more done w/o all that mind noise distracting me. I haven't lost my creative edge either.
I'm actually bipolar II, a close cousin to cyclothymia. The depressions are more severe, and last longer. I take 200mg Lamictal and 2g fish oil. If I can't sleep, I take Temazepam (a benzo). sometimes I still swing, but all in all, treatment has lessened the severity of my symptoms. I wouldn't think of going without my meds at this point, since I have suffered so much with depressions, and frankly, embarassed myself a great deal during hypomanic swings.
Just getting my sleep/wake cycle in order has helped me a great deal. If you are cyclothymic, you probably notice that your sleep suffers when you are "up".
Good luck with treatment,
Katy
Posted by katia on December 12, 2003, at 15:53:26
In reply to Re: hey! im new here, posted by fluffy on December 12, 2003, at 11:28:08
Hi Katy!
It sounds as tho' we're both on the same meds now. I'm at 200mg of Lam. and I'm on 11-12g of fish oil a day. I have noticed a difference in the upping of the fish oil - FYI. I orderd that Carlson's fish oil and have been taking it everyday! I also take Neurontin and/or Seroquel for sleep. I'm holding steady on this for awhile - I still experience mild depression at times. I'm so hesitant of Lithium due to the hypothyroidism. If I go on Li. I'm going to try that Orotate first. So you came off of Trileptal? I've been reading some posts here and lots of people have that same experience as you - tingling face.
How are you otherwise?
katia
Posted by pink spida on December 15, 2003, at 12:22:03
In reply to Re: hey! im new here, posted by fluffy on December 12, 2003, at 11:28:08
Hey Hey,
thanx for ur response Katy. I went to the Doc and she diagnose me as having cyclothymia la. She hasn't given me any medication yet, saying she wants to observe my swings for awhile longer.I was wondering...after reading most of the posts here.... does herbal or mineral supplements help? I heard that Ginko helps memory, mild depression, etc...does anyone know?
the thing is... i kinda like the mood swings... it helps me get in touch with my deeper self.... but is there anything I can take to improve JUST the memory and the attention span??... all the info posted is kinda scaring me..... dont wanna take anything thats going to hurt me afterwards...hehe.....anyway....thanx alot everyone....for sharing your info and all....this place is very supportive and it makes me feel good just by being here.
Jen ^_^
Posted by jerseydevil on December 15, 2003, at 15:43:17
In reply to Re: hey! im new here, posted by pink spida on December 15, 2003, at 12:22:03
Question and an answer. Fish oil? High in Bs? Possible answer for new one Jen, while swinging should definitely be treated, my pdoc has me on Provigil to offset the lack of focus and short term memory from using Neurontin as a mood stabilizer. Provigil is typically used for Alzheimers' patients, but works ok for me too. Don't take too much, its like speed.
Posted by bruce_w6 on March 1, 2004, at 9:44:21
In reply to Re: Lithium Orotate, posted by BarbaraCat on September 13, 2003, at 14:46:24
What is Lithium Orotate? Is it the same as Lithim?
I take Lmictal and it helps with depression, will the Lithium help with the irritability and mind racing?
At what dose will I have to get blood tests?
Posted by Sooshi on March 2, 2004, at 10:38:18
In reply to Lithium Orotate, posted by bruce_w6 on March 1, 2004, at 9:44:21
Hi Bruce,
Check out this link from the Alternative board, where I had a few questions about Lithium Orotate, and see if it helps:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040110/msgs/313390.html
Sooshi
Posted by Alina on March 2, 2004, at 16:01:31
In reply to Re: Cyclothymia mood stabilizers » Sarena, posted by BarbaraCat on March 24, 2002, at 15:26:40
Hi, i'm new to the board and when i found this place, i almost started bawling because now i have some sort of answer that fits.
I've recently stumbled across cyclothymia (definition of) and have done extensive research and have concluded it's the closest definition i've found of what's been ailing me yet. i'm 20, and i've been having episodes like this since i was sixteen although i did not realize it then. i'm pretty sure it was triggered by a round of Accutane, although my personality, family history and and my odd childhood (no trauma) have always conducive to this kind of thing. my big swings are bi-annual (from spring until end of summer, from end of summer until january) but continue on a smaller scale something like weekly; i've moved in and out of academic institutions for the last three years while managing to remain in college. i have amazing highs when i'm extremely creative and my mind is racing and i feel elevated to another level of existence miles above the mundane; however, these periods are interrupted by terrible lows where i can't push myself to even perform the basest functions, like doing laundry or even taking showers. for a long time i thought i had depression; my mother, who is a psychiatrist gave me Wellbutrin which produced a quick and violent reaction. i discontinued and tried celexa then, and zoloft, but nothing seemed to work; the condition only seemed worse, the bad days lengthening.
due to a chance encounter with phentermine (a doctor described diet pill at the mild end of that spectrum) after a little weight gain from the celexa, i found out that i could induce highs to keep away the lows. i found out that taking one pill per week (just to get me through the first day) helped me fast the rest of the week (four or five days in a row sometimes) thus inducing the manic euphoria. i though the euphoria was a "normal" state that i should be living in-i thought this because i had been under for so long i had forgotten what it felt like to feel good and normal again and i thought this must be it. i continued in this mostly manic state until my body weight dropped frighteningly low and the autumn swing came, sending me back into deep and debilitating depression.
i'm back on my upward swing now, but i know there's got to be a better way and it's pretty hard to not eat all week because that really screws with your social/personal life. but it's the only way i can keep my head clear enough to have enough motivation to keep up with my schoolwork and perform the daily functions. if anyone has had a similar experience or has any advice for a newcomer, i would really appreciate it; i'm very new to this and tremendously excited by the prospect that since i may have been misdiagnosed, that there is possibly a way to cope with this that i just don't know about yet and something may yet work.
any stories or encouragement or advice would be much appreciated-i just thank god i found this early enough in my life so that i didn't keep trying anti-depressants.
alina
Posted by Alina on March 2, 2004, at 16:05:09
In reply to hey! im new here, posted by pink spida on December 12, 2003, at 11:13:47
> Hey! i was wondering if any of u with cyclothymia have problems with focusing and attention span?? i went to see a Doc. and she diagnose me with depression, but my psy teach say its probably cyclothymia. i dont have much problems with the mood swings... infact i kinda enjoy it.... it gives me creative ideas. the thing thats affecting my life now is my attention span. i cant focus on anything for long, and the attention period decrease to almost zero during the blues. when im happy, i seem to be distracted by having too many things to do, and i cant complete anything.
> If the attention span is part of cyclothymia, then is there a way to increase may attention without stabalizing my mood too much?? im having an appointment with the Doc. next week and i would like to be able to discuss a few alternatives with her. Spanks alot guys.hey pink spida, i'm new here too :-} i have the same problem. when i'm low my attention span is so bad that i doodle through most of my classes, but when i'm high it's so quick and so jumbled that i have a hard time focusing all the creative thoughts popping up in my head.
a mood stabilizer seems to be the only answer i've found so far, and a lot of people seem to think Lactamil (?) or something that sounds like that helps. sorry if it's not much help, just offering some empathy.
good luck :-}
alina
Posted by rondavue66 on March 12, 2004, at 9:07:02
In reply to Re: hey! im new here, posted by Alina on March 2, 2004, at 16:05:09
hi, my son is 13y/o old and was resently diagnosed with ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder and cyclothymic. They put him on adderall for adhd and seroquel for sleeping. mainly it's for the cyclothymia. His IQ has been tested and he scored at almost genuis level. Just 2 points short. He loves school but does do most of his homework because it is boring to him. Does anyone have any ideas on helping to get him involved with an activity that will help him be more social? he joins groups then stops going because it's boring. He words. thanks for your ideas.
Posted by mordewis on March 18, 2004, at 5:08:40
In reply to Lithium Orotate » fluffy, posted by katia on September 12, 2003, at 13:51:11
Lithium orotate is a fairly new formulation, which takes a relatively small amount of lithium and, according to the formulary, delivers all of it past the blood-brain barrier rather than flushing it to the rest of your body the way lithium carbonate does. It appears to be safe and non-toxic; I've used it for over 5 months myself. A couple sites make the statement that pregnant women or lactating mothers should not take it, but I wonder why if all the lithium is being used in the brain. There are no controlled studies I am aware of.
You can find yourself paying as little as $12.20 for 200 pills and as much as $49.95 for 90. I would say don't pay the extra for the Serenity brand-name, it's all the same stuff.
Posted by rondavue66 on March 18, 2004, at 12:49:24
In reply to Re: hey! im new here, posted by rondavue66 on March 12, 2004, at 9:07:02
my son's psych just uped his dosage of adderall to 25 mg a day he still takes 50 mg of seroquel at night. I think that the increase is causing him to be off. I mean he hasn't been mean, violent or anything til his mgs. were increased now he is explosive again. He got mad and throw things at me yesterday because I told him the new dosage isn't working. He told me the meds weren't working at all. I can tell alittle difference in his moods. I don't think he has ADHD but his pschy and therapist seem to think so.
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 18, 2004, at 23:38:11
In reply to Re: Lithium Orotate, posted by mordewis on March 18, 2004, at 5:08:40
> Lithium orotate is a fairly new formulation...
Sorry if it's confusing, but there are a number of boards here, and Psycho-Babble Alternative is the one for discussion of alternative treatments. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040225/msgs/325903.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Stang on March 24, 2004, at 1:53:49
In reply to Re: Lamictal--Attn: Barbara Cat, Re: Li add on, posted by fluffy on July 13, 2003, at 11:53:40
Posted by katia on March 24, 2004, at 13:09:20
In reply to Re: Lamictal--Attn: Barbara Cat, Re: Li add on (nm), posted by Stang on March 24, 2004, at 1:53:49
YOu won't find her. She got lost in cyberspace. Do you have a question about Li and Lam.?
Katia
Posted by BarbaraCat on April 8, 2004, at 14:44:49
In reply to Re: hey! im new here » fluffy, posted by katia on December 12, 2003, at 15:53:26
Yes, I did get lost in Cyberspace, but not because I just drifted happily away. I've had a very challenging 6 months since last Oct and am just now beginning to surface. The 1 year anniversary of Mom's death, childhood flashbacks that were engulfing me, life events, muliple cat's illnesses, financial problems, marriage challenges, on and on, led to me a crisis in January. A regular psychotic break that put a huge challenge on my marriage as well (thankfully we're back on track and stronger than ever). It was extreme but I was committed to not throwing myself onto the mercy of the HMO system and receiving soul-less treatment, more meds, and more despair that anyone could help me. In fact, I felt there was NO ONE, not one person alive who could help, who could contain the extremity of what I was going through. No one I could explain it to, no therapist, healer, teacher, who could go there with me. No one I wanted to contaminate with the darkness. No one but myself and my journal and Spirit to go to. I had to decide to cast myself to the benevolence of whatever was out there to catch me and just let 'er rip. I would either survive it or die, however long it lasted. And no meds were able to hold back the tidal waves of grief, terror, rage, that were coming out. The avalanche kept breaking through no matter what I took or how hard I tried to run or distract from it.
And so I did the unthinkable. I stopped taking meds during one of the most intense periods of my life. Not all at once, but over an extended period (my last lithium/Lam was Jan 30). It was wild, I tell you, and the psychosis I'm sure was exacerbated by withdrawal. But I sank into it all, surrendered and weeped and was very, very afraid that it would never end.
And here I am, relatively sane, content, and med free - well almost. I still take Neurontin when needed and an occassional Valium. My achilles heel is stress and if I can catch it and keep myself from spinning too far down, the bad feelings eventually take their course and are worked through and lo and behold, another day dawns and life goes on. The only thing that works for me is putting my heart and soul and attention in each moment and NOT allowing myself to spin into dread of not surviving the awful tomorrows that rarely materialize.
Challenges haven't stopped, of course. I'm getting treated for mercury toxicity by my naturopath and the chelating agent caused Stevens Johnson Syndrome whereby I was in the hospital over this past weekend. Yes, the dreaded Lamictal rash and I'm not even taking Lam. The chelator, DMPS, does have SJS as a possible reaction, but makes me wonder how and if Lam contributed to it, how long it takes to get out of the system. So here I am, covered in a rash and blistering in every orifice. I was again in the hospital last month with what was thought to be a heart attack but was not. Strange physical symptoms that I'm convinced is intense adrenal exhaustion. I'm learning to care for myself much more gently and understand that I can expect to have ongoing fallout from all I've been through. It's been wild, I tell you, but I'm making it and know I will. I'm absolutely committed to not taking ongoing psych meds again. No more SSRI's, no more Lamictal, lithium, or any other long-term mood meds. I'm handling it just fine and dealing with outrageously stressful events and not going under. I feel much better without these meds (I do take fish oil and other nutritional supports, and still take thyroid meds, of course. These are important. I'm also not drinking except for a wee dram every now and then).
It was hard, crazy, and wild to be going through withdrawal from my psych support at a very challenging time but it was time to deal with this stuff in a different way. I had the time, as well. I'm not working and so wasn't expected to be super functional and so was able to have a breakdown. My poor husband, but he was and is an angel. I'm at the other end of the tunnel and have been stable long enough now under very trying circumstances to know that I'm going to be able to do this. It's hard, yes, but I believe it's the way I have to do it.
I hope you all are in good spirits and keepin' on. I'd love to hear from you. I won't be able to keep up a regular correspondence (our computers crashed and our emails have been weird as well). Love to you all - BarbaraCat
Posted by Harlock on July 7, 2004, at 12:14:47
In reply to Re: Lamictal Survey, posted by fluffy on August 31, 2003, at 15:45:35
The denial comment kills me... Do older people have a harder time accepting the fact that there IS something "wrong" with them? e.g. My parents. They make a HUGE deal over my disorder (depression/bpII) and keep saying, out loud, "I don't understand where you got this from". I just look at my wife funny when I hear that. The best hostage negotiator couldn't make my parents believe they have any mental problems, even for a second. Oh well, I don't let it bother me.
I denied my condition off and on for a short time, because my symtoms were so random. Now, I fully understand and accept my condition (I'm 35, male).
Oh well, what can ya do. My parents always think there is something wrong with them physically, but you mention mental disorders, and they lose their minds, not pun idended. :)
> Hey Ima--
>
> From what you describe, it sounds like BPII (my formal diagnosis). And it also sounds like you have the agitated depressions---if severe, called mixed states (esp. if there is suicidal ideation). But "normal" depressions can be marked with irritability as well.
>
> I'm quite certain that my dad is also BP. He exhibits a terrible temper--snapping at people for nothing, is physically abusive, camps out in his room for days at a time sleeping, and at other times is jolly. I unfortunately have inherited his wiring--something I've always been afraid of. My grandmother has been hospitalized for as long as I can remember for some unknown psychotic state. My aunt on the same side of the family has suffered from "psychotic" depressions, and had to be hospitalized b/c she was seeing things in the wake of my uncle's death. (this is all only on my dad's side of the family--my mom was adopted, so who knows what's lurking there).
>
> Do you have any family history? It may help you to confirm your diagnosis. As painful as it was for me, it helped me (my mom and dad are TOTALLY in denial)
>
> And you are absolutely correct in getting another psychiatrist. Psychiatrists can be arrogant, stupid, insensitive and misinformed just like other people. I sincerely hope that the new pdoc works out, and works WITH you until you feel you've gotten closer to answers regarding your current situation. If you feel like reading my full story (meds, some personal history, but MAINLY my really insensitive psychiatrist!!) here is the url from earlier in the thread:
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030828/msgs/255630.html
>
> Keep in touch and take care,
> Katy
>
Posted by barbaracat on July 7, 2004, at 13:53:58
In reply to Re: Lamictal Survey, posted by Harlock on July 7, 2004, at 12:14:47
Hi All,
Well, my attempts to let 'er rip and throw myself on the mercy of the Fates without meds didn't work. Yet again. Everything was becoming a crisis in my life. I now realize how that weird wild energy that's part of bipolar can rip one's life apart. It makes everything so intense, everything was so personal and tragic and it was affecting my marriage, my friendships, my family relations. Pissed off, black moods, crying -- for good reasons, all of it, but sooooo sensitive. Called the HMO crisis line and my pdoc called back and put me back on lithium. This was last week and I can't tell you how much better I'm doing. Even the next day that wild jaggy energy started smoothing out.I am bipolar. That's me. I finally accept that however my childhood and life events molded me, my physical component is mis-wired and without addressing that malfunction, I get crazed. I can't reason any longer, can't do my spiritual practice, can't process anything. The hurt spirals out of control and becomes unmanageable and then my life and relationships get messed up causing more stress.
So I thank God for lithium. So far it's doing the trick and I hope it doesn't poop. I see my pdoc today and am going to talk about replacing Ambien with Seroquel for sleep and to help with the bleak despairing psychosis of mixed states, should that beast decide to rear it's ugly head again. Wish me luck, friends, but so far so good. - BarbaraCat
Posted by fluffy on July 7, 2004, at 15:08:30
In reply to Back on lithium and grateful for it! » Harlock, posted by barbaracat on July 7, 2004, at 13:53:58
Hi Barb-cat!!
I was worried about you from your last post. I wanted to reply back, but honestly didn't know what to say. I knew you'd figure it out, though, no matter what. Sometimes I still think about you and Katia when I'm staring into space and smoking at night, wondering how you are. Glad to know you are alright.
I"ve been pretty stable lately--much better than before. I'm taking 750mg of Depakote and .25mg of Risperdal. Funny how such a teensy pill has made such a remarkable difference for me. While I was taking Depakote, I was still markedly cycling (albeit more slowly) with agitated ups and disconnected downs. I still couldn't sleep without a benzo, and I was losing my memory due to no REM sleep. Once we added the Risperdal, within a week I started sleeping and the agitation was completely gone. Now I'm considering a switch to Abilify to see if it helps the depressions I still experience. All in all, the mess is being untangled, and I feel much better than I did a year ago.
It's so great to hear from you! Keep in touch miss Barb-cat!
Katy
Posted by katia on July 7, 2004, at 15:42:02
In reply to Re: Back on lithium and grateful for it!, posted by fluffy on July 7, 2004, at 15:08:30
Fluffy and Barb-Cat!!!
Good to hear from both of you!
Good to hear that we're all doing better than a year ago!
I'm on Trileptal 450mg, Seroquel 25mg, and Paxil 12.5. (and the fish oil). I can still feel the mood swings/cycling but it's easier on me.Katy, how much Trileptal were you on?
And what is Risperal?Barb, good to hear that li. is working well for you and you made the decision to go back on it. I recommend seroquel. I always sleep well on it. Probably too well and too much!
Good to hear from both of you at once!
Katia
Posted by katia on July 7, 2004, at 15:45:33
In reply to Re: Lamictal Survey, posted by Harlock on July 7, 2004, at 12:14:47
Hi harlock,
Yes, these parents are from another generation (I'm 33) and it's actually not within their ability to see that they have a "mental disorder". It's a worldview; a mentality and way of seeing the world that won't allow this new perspective on what they have always known of as reality.
That's what I tell myself anyway. it is frustrating esp. when we're trying to undo and work out what they still do and taught us how!
And then we're the ones considered the troubled one and we somehow got there on our own!
But, you know what? I am just one teensy part of a family system and that's what they forget or rather never learned.
good luck!
katia
Posted by barbaracat on July 7, 2004, at 17:11:03
In reply to Re: Back on lithium and grateful for it!, posted by fluffy on July 7, 2004, at 15:08:30
Fluffy!
So glad to hear from you!!! I was wondering where you'd gotten to and am so glad you're still hangin' and doing well. Wow, you, me and Katia all in one day. We three have some nice karmic thread going and hope to keep in touch.Well, I'm off to see pdoc about getting some Seroquel and will let y'all know how it went. Love, BCat
Posted by fluffy on July 7, 2004, at 17:43:11
In reply to Re: Back on lithium and grateful for it!, posted by katia on July 7, 2004, at 15:42:02
Hi Katia--
Good to hear from you, too! Funny how we were all still connected to the thread. Let's see...I can't really remember how much trileptal I was on. Maybe 600mg? Anyway, it didn't last long for me. I stayed on it for a month before I got sick from it. Glad to hear it's working for you.
Risperdal is another atypical antipsychotic like Seroquel. It was the second atypical to come out after Clozaril. It is not quite as sedating as Seroquel, but it helps me sleep anyway.
So you added Paxil, huh? I wonder what will help the depressions I still dip into weekly. I can almost set my watch. Thankfully I don't have severe symptoms besides a once a week blah depressed day. I'm fighting apathy right now, though. I feel awful complaining to my pdoc that I feel apathetic after all we've been through. I'm hoping that he will be willing to switch me to Abilify to see if it will help that department. I want to give it a try at least. If it's a disaster, then I guess we can go back to Risperdal and I'll just try my best to fight it.
Anyway--I'm so glad the gals are OK!
Katy
Posted by barbaracat on July 8, 2004, at 1:14:01
In reply to Re: Back on lithium and grateful for it!, posted by fluffy on July 7, 2004, at 17:43:11
Hey Katy and Katia,
I know we've always got questions about our meds and one of the thorniest is should a bipolaroid be taking an AD? I've been taking St. John's Wort the past 6 weeks and I'm coming to think that it's a very good AD. Wasn't a good idea without the lithium but I felt I needed something and I ain't never gonna go on SSRI's no mo' no mo'. I felt an effect after 1 week but it was going in and out and I needed the lithium to stabilize and augment things. I don't think it's strong enough on it's own for major depression, but a mood stabilizer gives it a kick and I'm definitely feeling a nice mood brightening as time goes on. I can't attribute it to lithium because we all know that lithium is not a zippy type med. The effect I'm experiencing is one that others have reported (those for whom it's worked which is not everyone). A light and gentle kind of brightening. There's a good forum at www.sjwinfo.org if you're interested.But all brands are not the same and I did alot of research and some trial and error to find the best one for me. Long story short, a pharmaceutical grade with a product stabilizer is the way to go. Some people like Kira or Perika but I found them too activating. The one I like best is HBC Protocols which is pharmaceutical and the cheapest. They're at http://www.hbcstore.com/products-HV280.html. Something else to put in your bag of tricks in case your current med isn't working out. I've had a miserable time with most SSRI-type prescription meds but that was before I realized I was very bipolar mixed states. Keep the faith, girfriends. Good to be back in touch. - Barbara
Posted by katia on July 8, 2004, at 3:14:45
In reply to Re: Back on lithium and grateful for it!, posted by fluffy on July 7, 2004, at 17:43:11
Barbara and Katy!
First off, I'm soooo excited to hear from both of you in one go and I was reading each of your postings with eager eyes devouring each word!Let me respond to each of you individually (and together!)
> Hi Katia--
>
> Good to hear from you, too! Funny how we were all still connected to the thread. Let's see...I can't really remember how much trileptal I was on. Maybe 600mg? Anyway, it didn't last long for me. I stayed on it for a month before I got sick from it. Glad to hear it's working for you.
>
> Risperdal is another atypical antipsychotic like Seroquel. It was the second atypical to come out after Clozaril. It is not quite as sedating as Seroquel, but it helps me sleep anyway.**600mg sound about right. I'm on a low dose of 450mg. I was at 750mg of Dep. as well. It was good but I got such a s/e of sleepiness around 4ish and the fear of PCOS. But in retrospect, the best I felt (apart from now) was at 250mg of Dep. and a low dose of Lam.
**Good that Risperdal helps you sleep. I wonder if it'd do anything for me as I've been taking Sero. for a year now. That's interesting that it isn't quite as sedating as Seroq. b/c I wonder if I'm too sedated!? I'm only on 25mg per night at most nowadays. How're you doing besides Katy?? Haven't heard from you in awhile. Are you still teaching that art history class and doing your own art? Are you still w/ that guy who is also bipolar? and/or depressed?
> So you added Paxil, huh? I wonder what will help the depressions I still dip into weekly. I can almost set my watch. Thankfully I don't have severe symptoms besides a once a week blah depressed day. I'm fighting apathy right now, though. I feel awful complaining to my pdoc that I feel apathetic after all we've been through. I'm hoping that he will be willing to switch me to Abilify to see if it will help that department. I want to give it a try at least. If it's a disaster, then I guess we can go back to Risperdal and I'll just try my best to fight it.
**Apathy is a negative trait of depression and you have every right to complain about it! Being "normal" is not inclusive of apathy BTW!
Yes, I tried (am trying) Paxil. And feel good apart from those dips and such. But they are much less severe now. I've been on quite a trial and error with lots of things. I was off everything (except Seroquel and fish oil) for awhile (as you prob. remember). I remember hearing in between the lines from you that I should be on meds! I bought a house...and it's going great! I found housemates to help me pay the mortgage. It was a blessing for me to find this. I'm still unsure how I managed to do this!And long story short, Paxil is working for me!
And Barb, it's really atypical of me. (in regards to SSRIs and BPs). When I went on Trileptal in Feb. I then added Wellbutrin a month later and went bazeerk-o! And then went off of it and added Lam. for my second trial. It wasn't the euphoric kind this time. I got severly agitated. Went off of that and was having panic attacks almost and went to the pdoc and suggestd I go on Paxil. he agreed. and it seems to be working.Previously, before BP dx, the ADs that made me go hypo were the atypical ones like WB (serzone and effexor). SSRIs, like Celexa and Zoloft made me an insomniac or a zombie. I am not the average BP responder to ADs.
And Barb, re: St. John's wort, Glad to hear that's working for you in combo with Lithium. I think that's what you were missing too was a MS to augment the SJW. Unfortun. Li. did NOT work for me. I became a shuffling drooling stupor. But I did feel the powerful sedating qualities of it; which were positive. So too bad I experienced those negative s/e. Wish I were one it worked for. I know you were on the Li. Ort. Did that not do it for you again? just curious.
GREAT! to be in touch with you two.
Take great care,
Katia
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