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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 32. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 9:42:47
I'm on lithium, lamictal, and clonazepam. My bipolar is one 30 day manic episode several years ago. It was the happiest time of my life. lol I did serious yardwork 14 hours a day. My yard, my neighbors yard, etc. I had the energy of a 19 year old.
I've been thru a gazillion AD's, most didn't help much if at all and I've had crazy side effeects.
I just wonder if I should just give them a break for a while.
Some may say I'm taking my life in my own hands but I was on an AD when I attempted suicide.
My doc switched me to Pristiq which scared me out of my wits with mixed states and a general feeling of snorting coke.
I'm going to try to squeeze in an appt w/ doc this week and I'm sure he'll switch me to another AD. Am I getting anywhere with this? Nope.
I guess I'll take his advice or argue with him till the cows come home.
But I truly feel, with sexual se and other assorted se, fat, dumb and stupid if I'm doing myself any favors. It sure as hell doesn't feel like it.
Posted by Phillipa on July 26, 2009, at 11:08:46
In reply to AD's who needs them?, posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 9:42:47
Phil I remember you saying how much you liked the pdoc in the hospital any chance of seeing her? Or another quick admission for med adjustment? I can only imagaine all that energy must be very tempiting but from what I've read not really helpful. And I did work with a lot ot bipolar patients in manic states and it was distressing even to me til they stabalized. With todays quick in and out of the hospital maybe sent home too early? Please be careful and safe. Love Phillipa
Posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 11:15:52
In reply to Re: AD's who needs them? » Phil, posted by Phillipa on July 26, 2009, at 11:08:46
My copay was $268 a day. Anyone here have that kind of money? I don't.
I will check on the other pdoc. Thanks
Posted by Phillipa on July 26, 2009, at 12:24:15
In reply to Re: AD's who needs them? » Phillipa, posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 11:15:52
Phil ouch!!!!! No not me for sure. But I'm serious about the other doc. You liked her and seemed to feel that she was helping you if wrong correct me please. Love Phillipa
Posted by Glydin 00 on July 26, 2009, at 13:02:18
In reply to AD's who needs them?, posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 9:42:47
But that's either here nor there.... (Smile)
May the one two punch of serotonin and norepi isn't a good thing or what's needed for the philster.
Going with gut with some assistance is something I know you're good at...
It'll work out for ya, I feel it....
Posted by floatingbridge on July 26, 2009, at 13:02:57
In reply to AD's who needs them?, posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 9:42:47
Hi Phil
What are the other BP1's doing on board?
fb
Posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 13:24:19
In reply to Re: AD's who needs them? » Phil, posted by floatingbridge on July 26, 2009, at 13:02:57
Not sure but would love to hear from them.
Posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 13:25:36
In reply to Well, me » Phil, posted by Glydin 00 on July 26, 2009, at 13:02:18
Thanks, sweet one. You're the bestest.
Posted by Glydin 00 on July 26, 2009, at 14:05:39
In reply to Re: Well, me » Glydin 00, posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 13:25:36
> Thanks, sweet one. You're the bestest.
~~~ That would be you, actually.
Posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 14:09:50
In reply to AD's who needs them?, posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 9:42:47
I have bp1 w/ no psychosis. 1 manic episode but mostly depression.
Do y'all take AD's? What have you had success with? Is your depression helped by non traditional meds?
Any input greatly appreciated.
Posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 14:13:53
In reply to Re: Well, me » Phil, posted by Glydin 00 on July 26, 2009, at 14:05:39
God took his time with you G. And when he takes his time, watchout! lol
He did good work.
Thanks for your kindness, it's a great AD.
Posted by Sigismund on July 26, 2009, at 14:16:04
In reply to AD's who needs them?, posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 9:42:47
>My bipolar is one 30 day manic episode several years ago. It was the happiest time of my life. lol I did serious yardwork 14 hours a day. My yard, my neighbors yard, etc. I had the energy of a 19 year old.
Serious yardwork? I'd like something to get me doing that.
And then that was that? No more ups?
Thanks, Phil. I had been meaning to ask about what the good bit felt like but never felt it was quite right to ask.
Posted by Sigismund on July 26, 2009, at 14:18:26
In reply to Need bipolar peoples input please, posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 14:09:50
>I have bp1 w/ no psychosis. 1 manic episode but mostly depression.
So, that's how it is? Yeah no I'm not bipolar.
Posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 15:00:10
In reply to Re: Need bipolar peoples input please, posted by Sigismund on July 26, 2009, at 14:18:26
I was a machine!!! Totally burnt up 3 weedeaters. lol
I live in an old neighborhood with canopies of big oak trees and the yards aren't st. augustine, just kinda weeds.
I know for a fact my neighbors back yard had not been touched in 10 years. It had places of wood and tin overgrown by weeds. I talked to my neighbor, who at the time I had no idea was one of the best guitarist ever, and said, Jesse I'm hot with this weedeater, mind if I take a whack at your yard? He thought I meant trimming and said OK. It was 10 a.m. and he said he'd be home around 4. Cool.
When he got home, his yard looked like it came out of Better Homes and Gardens. No detail missed anywhere. lmao
He looked at it totally stunned. He said..Is there anything I can do for you? I gave him the universal sign for smoking a joint. We smoked out and he gave me some to go.
Jesse died about 5 years back of cirrhosis. He said he drank beer everyday from the age of 16. He was the kindest man I've ever known but when he was young it was highly advised not to piss him off.
Jesse guitar taylor if you feel like googling.
I didn't know him all that long but loved him to the bottom of my heart..I miss him dearly.
Posted by Glydin 00 on July 26, 2009, at 15:09:22
In reply to Re: Well, me » Glydin 00, posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 14:13:53
> God took his time with you G. And when he takes his time, watchout! lol
>
> He did good work.
>
> Thanks for your kindness, it's a great AD.~~~ We all a work in progess and actually that's a good thing. I love this idea:
"We are stronger than we think ourselves to be and we are nowhere near what we are becoming...."
Posted by bulldog2 on July 26, 2009, at 16:52:02
In reply to AD's who needs them?, posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 9:42:47
> I'm on lithium, lamictal, and clonazepam. My bipolar is one 30 day manic episode several years ago. It was the happiest time of my life. lol I did serious yardwork 14 hours a day. My yard, my neighbors yard, etc. I had the energy of a 19 year old.
>
> I've been thru a gazillion AD's, most didn't help much if at all and I've had crazy side effeects.
>
> I just wonder if I should just give them a break for a while.
>
> Some may say I'm taking my life in my own hands but I was on an AD when I attempted suicide.
>
> My doc switched me to Pristiq which scared me out of my wits with mixed states and a general feeling of snorting coke.
>
> I'm going to try to squeeze in an appt w/ doc this week and I'm sure he'll switch me to another AD. Am I getting anywhere with this? Nope.
>
> I guess I'll take his advice or argue with him till the cows come home.
>
> But I truly feel, with sexual se and other assorted se, fat, dumb and stupid if I'm doing myself any favors. It sure as hell doesn't feel like it.I would say that if you had a 30 day manic episode most likely it will happen again if you quit meds. Maybe discuss a regimen with your p-doc that has a milder se profile. Do you really need lithium plus lamictal. Maybe just one of the two will stailize you and handle your depression. Good luck.
Posted by SLS on July 26, 2009, at 17:23:48
In reply to Re: AD's who needs them?, posted by bulldog2 on July 26, 2009, at 16:52:02
> Do you really need lithium plus lamictal. Maybe just one of the two will stailize you and handle your depression.
I think Lamictal is of limited use to treat mania once it has broken through. However, it does a good job of helping to prevent depressive breakthrough. The Lamictal + Lithium combination seems to stabilize both phases of the illness and leads to a reduced rate of relapse. I would leave them both on board and begin to explore drugs like Wellbutrin or Parnate if depression remains refractory to mood stabilizers. Personally, I receive benefit from Abilify as an adjunctive antidepressant.
- Scott
Posted by floatingbridge on July 26, 2009, at 17:34:59
In reply to Re: AD's who needs them?, posted by SLS on July 26, 2009, at 17:23:48
Scott,
Could the wellbutrin be too stimulating, agitiating? I don't know. I'm dx'd BPiii and my doc monitored for mania onset when we started.... two cents.
fb
Posted by SLS on July 26, 2009, at 18:01:37
In reply to Re: AD's who needs them? » SLS, posted by floatingbridge on July 26, 2009, at 17:34:59
> Scott,
>
> Could the wellbutrin be too stimulating, agitiating? I don't know.It does affect some people that way - unipolar and bipolar. However, Wellbutrin has been thought to have a reduced liability for causing a switch into mania. Wellbutrin actually slowed me down and produced dysphoria. It was the wrong drug for me. Parnate is thought to be better for bipolar depression than Nardil.
- Scott
Posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 19:03:08
In reply to Re: AD's who needs them?, posted by SLS on July 26, 2009, at 18:01:37
Thanks guys. I was thinking about Wellbutrin. No more stimulating than Pristiq could ever be for me.
Not bad in weight gain or sexual SE's. I'm going to tell my pdoc that I want the hell off AD's for a while either way.
After 25 years on them I've come to a point that I can't take it anymore. At least if I'm off of them for a while and get absolutely despondent, I can remember why I take them in the first place.
I truly hate antidepressants.
Posted by floatingbridge on July 26, 2009, at 20:45:54
In reply to Re: Well, me » Phil, posted by Glydin 00 on July 26, 2009, at 15:09:22
> > God took his time with you G. And when he takes his time, watchout! lol
> >
> > He did good work.
> >
> > Thanks for your kindness, it's a great AD.
>
> ~~~ We all a work in progess and actually that's a good thing. I love this idea:
>
> "We are stronger than we think ourselves to be and we are nowhere near what we are becoming...."
>
>
This is what my shrink says.... That's part of why I like him so much.fb
Posted by chumbawumba on July 26, 2009, at 20:50:11
In reply to Need bipolar peoples input please, posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 14:09:50
> I have bp1 w/ no psychosis. 1 manic episode but mostly depression.
>
> Do y'all take AD's? What have you had success with? Is your depression helped by non traditional meds?
>
> Any input greatly appreciated.I have only experienced hypomania/mixed states while on antidepressants. In fact the initial feeling of being on Prozac was like being on cocaine, except it lasted longer.
Another example is Zoloft. It almost sent me over the edge . Much later I stumbled across this little gem at http://www.crazymeds.us/
"Zoloft-Cons: Probably the worst SSRI to take if bipolar is known or suspected. Definitely the worst to have taken if bipolar was a surprise."
Um yeah, I'll attest to that.
In the long term I think antidepressants destroyed my libido and contributed to a general sense of apathy. A sort of emotional numbing.
It is hard to say though because I also experience apathy and lack of libido when I am depressed.
I am also in the camp that leans towards believing that if you have any bipolar tendencies, antidepressants make them worse over the long haul so medications with antidepressant effects (like Lamictal or Seroquel) that are not antidepressants per se, are better for long term use in Bipolar disorder.
Posted by morganpmiller on July 26, 2009, at 21:17:27
In reply to Re: Need bipolar peoples input please, posted by chumbawumba on July 26, 2009, at 20:50:11
I need the AD's..Can't seem to function over the long haul without them.
I'm somewhere under that very large lovely umbrella of bipolar that has replaced the smaller umbrella's of yesteryear.
Everyone is different. I was very high functioning(I hate that term, but I still use it anyway don't I) for years on Zoloft alone(some fish oil and intense exercise hooked me up also).
I swear my brain is soooo sensitive, it ends up on not being able to function properly if I am off an antidepressant for too long. For example my right eye gets lazy and my nose begins to tingle during periods of high stress and anxiety. Also, my muscles do not react the same way over time. I think my brain is simply hypersensitive to the damage it suffers and chemical changes that it undergoes during periods of stress and anxiety. I even notice changes in muscle function. No eliminating AD's for me, not unless the Super MoodStabilizing Antidepressant all in one is developed for my brain's personal needs.
Ideally, for me, low dose of lithium, medium dose depakote, some antidepressant-Zoloft or Prozac, and High EPA fisho oil is looking like a pretty good cocktail for the long haul. Like I said, everyone is different.
Posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 21:35:54
In reply to Re: Need bipolar peoples input please, posted by chumbawumba on July 26, 2009, at 20:50:11
I think we're on the same page but only time will tell if I can go without AD's. I have come to absolutely hate them though.
I hate everything right now though. The last 2 months have been a nightmare that I came close to not living through. I'm not out of the dark on that either.
Posted by chumbawumba on July 26, 2009, at 21:43:34
In reply to Re: Need bipolar peoples input please » chumbawumba, posted by Phil on July 26, 2009, at 21:35:54
I hear ya' I hate the AD's also. But there may come a time when I have to hold my nose and take them again for my own safety... :shudders:
I'm a stubborn MF though. I'm going to hold out to the bitter end or until my toe is on the trigger.
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