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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 898 to 922 of 948. Go back in thread:
Posted by CareBear04 on November 22, 2005, at 9:25:33
In reply to Is it common for bipolar to remain undiagnosed?, posted by rabble_rouser on November 18, 2005, at 14:57:30
yes, i was still undiagnosed even after lexapro made me manic and psychotic. it wasn't until after a psychiatrist added lithium on a trial basis that I was eventually and gradually diagnosed. good luck and stick with it!
Posted by cecilia on November 26, 2005, at 3:59:52
In reply to Re: Is it common for bipolar to remain undiagnosed? » rabble_rouser, posted by CareBear04 on November 22, 2005, at 9:25:33
As we all know, psychiatric theories come and go and one of the latest seems to be that depression that doesn't respond to AD's must really be bipolar. My question-how many mood stabilizers (and which ones are best) for proving or disapproving this theory? I haven't tried nearly as many mood stabilizers as I have AD's, just gabapentin and lamictal (and a brief trial of lithium, but I didn't like throwing up every morning-if I'm going to have morning sickness I should at least get a baby out of it). Oh, and clonazepam, which I guess is a mood stabilizer in large does, though not in the small dose I take (1.5 mg/day). Is there really any point in trying tons of different mood stabilizers just in case you might be bipolar? I'll have to see if the book Katia mentioned is available from the library. The Amazon review of it was pretty negative, though, and it sounded like it was mainly concerned with alcoholism, which isn't an issue for me. Cecilia
Posted by windygo on December 15, 2005, at 20:58:58
In reply to Re: Lithium Orotate, posted by mordewis on March 18, 2004, at 5:08:40
Those who are still monitoring this old thread on lithium orotate should be interested in the new thread beginning with the following URL:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20051025/msgs/586709.html
Thanks,
Wayne
Posted by justina on February 12, 2006, at 13:12:18
In reply to Hi All from Barbara! - Fluffy, Katia, Nicole, etc. » katia, posted by BarbaraCat on April 8, 2004, at 14:44:49
trying to figure out how long until your system is clean of seroquel. have to take a urine test cant have any antisycotics in my system been taking seroquel for 3 yrs now 100mg twice a day and 300 mg at night stopped cold turkey about10 days ago. not feeling very good but need to know if it will be out of my system
Posted by ed_uk on February 12, 2006, at 14:55:28
In reply to how long until your system is clean of seroquel » BarbaraCat, posted by justina on February 12, 2006, at 13:12:18
Whatever anyone is testing your urine for, they will not be testing your urine for antipsychotics.
Ed
Posted by yxibow on February 17, 2006, at 3:11:53
In reply to how long until your system is clean of seroquel » BarbaraCat, posted by justina on February 12, 2006, at 13:12:18
> trying to figure out how long until your system is clean of seroquel. have to take a urine test cant have any antisycotics in my system been taking seroquel for 3 yrs now 100mg twice a day and 300 mg at night stopped cold turkey about10 days ago. not feeling very good but need to know if it will be out of my system
Agreed... they wouldn't be testing for antipsychotics and its not their business. Further more cold turkey on Seroquel is not fun. I took a trip to Alaska and more or less switched from day to night as I got up there because it was too sedating driving with it during the daytime. I was in ecstasy in Fairbanks when it all switched to night and I slept like a baby, as I got my Seroquel back. Don't quit an antipsychotic cold turkey, it can in rare cases cause Tardive Dyskinesia.
Kind regards
Jay
Posted by paintmom on April 7, 2006, at 8:41:20
In reply to Re: Light box - Vitamin D?, posted by Elainep on February 2, 2005, at 18:06:45
> Hi Katia and Barbaracat and Lar:
> My daughter had depression last year and eventually was diagnosed with vit D deficiency after she had a simple blood test. She was given a megadose of vitamin d, and within a week all her symptoms disappeared. I'm convinced vit d deficiency is a probable cause of many depressions: I've included a comprehensive link below with good links to studies about vitamin d: scientists are discovering all the time new links with vit d deficiency and disease, check this out for all of you who suffer depression. It's very easy to have one blood test done to check out your vit D levels, supplements are probably too slow for any rapid improvement and there are always worries about overdosing on vit D so blood tests are the only safe way to go. But really, it's so easy to test for, my daughter has been fabulous for the nine months since her megadose, she just had her blood retested and it had dropped a bit despite supplementing on a good Solgar product (a vit d only product from the UK, the US solgar products include vit A) so the doctor is giving her another dose before we go into winter (we live in New Zealand). Anyway check out the site below, there's one study on it that showed vit d was far more effective than light boxes. This is not new-age stuff, I'm a scientist with a PhD and when my daughter was ill we tried all kinds of non-proven things (magnetic pulsing, light boxes, omega three oil) vitamin d was the one that worked, simply and conclusively.
>
> Good luck everyone
>
> Elaine
>
> http://www.cholecalciferol-council.com/major_depression.htm
>
Geez Louise!!
I was just searching Vitamin d deficiency and it led me here:)
I have not been feeling well...myriad of problems...I thought I had to go back on meds...
turns out I am extremely deficient in vitamin D...had my first megadose last night..I'll keep you posted...
keep your fingers crossed
:)
Posted by dms777smd on April 8, 2006, at 3:02:56
In reply to Re: Light box - Vitamin D?, posted by paintmom on April 7, 2006, at 8:41:20
Yes, I think there are many types of vitamins and minerals that can change your behavior. Like thiamin deficiancy (vitamin B1), that can really can mess up your brain. It's mainly having to do with major alcoholics or people that eat very poorly. But I know what you're saying on the vitamin deficiancy. It's just weird how that if we're lacking something, our body definitely tells us,,, just like cravings. I get the weirdest cravings sometimes. I never liked milk before, but i've been craving it alot lately, I think my body is low on calcium. Or broccoli, I used to hate it, but I crave it now. I think foods that have alot of vitamins and minerals in them do you very well(keep you healthy).
Posted by KarenRB53 on April 8, 2006, at 8:30:31
In reply to Re: Cyclothymia & mood stabilizers, posted by Cynthia on August 7, 1999, at 16:31:34
> > Does anybody have experience with medicating or counseling for soft cycling? I have some cycling going on that may or may not fit the definition for cyclothymia.
> > The cycles usually last from 6 days to two weeks. In the down portion of the cycle symptoms include lower physical energy, lower mood, increased sensitivity to pain (esp. neck aches) increased social anxiety and sleeping more. In the up portion of the cycle I sleep less; I have good mood with occassional euphoria; good energy and at times ‘crazy’ energy; a sometimes flighty, overactivated mind; and a more talkative, outgoing manner.
> > I’m curious if anyone has experience with taking a mood stabilizer for soft cycling, for example, valproate, lithium or gabapentin? Is the mood stabilizer taken at a lower dosage than it would be taken for a manic depressive condition? How long would it take for a mood stabilizer like gabapentin to become fully effective? What mood stabilizer has the lowest side effects?
> > Is there a cognitive aspect to this seemingly physical condition that can be helped through counseling? Can for example personality issues such as low self-esteem and social anxiety contribute to cycling?
> > Any responses to this post would be very much appreciated.
>
> Hi Andrew and Sean,
>
> My high/low cycle is one week long, it's also seasonal (like yours Sean). Funny Andrew I'm thinking that you're cycles are a week or a month long. Cycling may very well be tied into our living cycles of weeks, months and years. Of all the medications I've tried for cyclothymia, I've had my best luck with 600mg of lithium; it controls my highs (most are not pleasant, although a few can be incredible - communicating with spirits kind of stuff) and helps with my 'treatment resistant' - ADs don't seem to work on the low part of my weekly cycle - depression. Although lately (I'm hoping I'm not speaking too soon) my depression is getting better and better and for the past two weeks, I would not even say I am experiencing any depression on my 'down' days. I attribute this to it being summer, lots of light in the sky; keeping my body on a very regular schedule, getting up, going to bed at the same time, eating at the same times, taking my medications at the same time everyday - this tells my body 'oh, this medication must mean it's time to get up and have a full day, or 'oh, this medications means that I will probably be going to sleep soon'.
>
> Now that I pretty well have my medications right (please god yes!), I've also begun to receive counselling from a psychologist. For although I know I've inherited a genetic predisposition for psychiatric illnesses, unfortunately for me I was also abused as a child. As a consequence of this, I have a low self-esteem. I'm making major headway here and although it so hard sometimes to isolate the factors that are helping you to feel better, I'm thinking counselling is one of them.
>
> I went a little off track there Andrew. Lithium, 600 mg. I tried a few other medications (sorry I can't remember their names but they didn't help as much as lithium and one of them did something to my blood). Once I got on lithium I stopped looking.
>
> I'm getting real close to being a normal human being with all this medication and help and hard work.
>
> Good luck
>
> One thing I find about being cyclothymic is how painfully aware of my depression I am when I am suffering from it because I have just been feeling so good.
>
> Cynthia
>
>
Just wondering what meds you take along with the Lithium. I sound so much like you.
Thanks, Karen
Posted by jodi k on July 22, 2006, at 17:10:08
In reply to Re: Cyclothymia mood stabilizers, posted by KarenRB53 on April 8, 2006, at 8:30:31
I was diagonosed with mild bipolar disorder just last week. I got on the internet to find out it's called cyclothymia! My dad had a bipolar experience a couple of years ago, and I knew I didn't have what he did. He really got "high". Not sleeping, spending lots of money, talking about sex a lot, starting arguments, and thought he was filled with the Holy Spirit. He went to the dr. and wouldn't accept any medications to help him. I was shocked to find out I have the same thing in milder form.
I began seeing a counselor 2 months ago and am having better communication with people who have run over me for years. But I was still depressed. I have been on 20 mg lexapro for about 6 months, after being on prozac for years. I was given
xanax for anxiety and have been on 100 mg of trazadone for 10 years till it was "upped" to 200 mg. last fall. That was all from a family dr. Now a psychiatrist has added 5 mg of abilify to that 5 days ago.I have a son who got picked up for 4 owi's in 1 1/2 months last fall. I really rocked down after that. But even when he finished his jail time, I didn't feel happy about it. I guess that's part of why I was diagnosed with this disorder.
The first day on abilify, I felt really bad. I got on the "net" the night before starting it and read the side effects about it and almost went into a panic mode. But after realizing I'm not having any of the bad effects, I think I'm really feeling lots better. Either that, or I have extremely high expectations of the medicine. I've already had people who have visited with me on the phone tell me how normal I sound.
I guess now all I am worried about is weight gain. I have low self esteem in that area anyway. I am not over weight now, but am never happy with my weight. I could be a scarecrow and feel fat.
Anyway, that's my story so far. I go back in to talk about the abilify a week from Monday. I'm praying that this will be my answer!
Jodi K
Posted by Andre Levy on November 14, 2006, at 0:32:12
In reply to Re: Sean/andrewb and Susan. Hints for your down days!, posted by Sean on August 9, 1999, at 12:18:56
You're right on the money, Sean. Have a look at these findings:
Dark Therapy
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/darkrx.htmBipolar Disorder, Light, and Darkness
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/LightDark.htm> Thanks for the tips. From everything I've read,
> the AD's do quicken the cycle. I can actually
> feel my circadian clock shift earlier and earlier
> (usually my clock is getting later and later)
> and then I need to stop for a few days.
>
> The depression side is the main problem for me
> too. When I get hyper ideas, I just don't do anything
> for a couple of weeks. If it still looks good,
> then I pursue it. Of course by the time I realized
> my moods were driving everything, I'd already
> dropped in and out of grad school twice... I
> would be willing to bet most people with strong
> mood cycles have "colorful" academic histories.
>
> I gained lots of weight on Lithium, and it seemed
> to work better for the ups than the downs. The
> magic combo was Li + TCA for a while but I
> developed heart arrythmias, which while not life
> threatening, were not fun and gave me headaches
> from the changes in blood pressure or something.
>
> Am thinking about the light therapy thing. I'm
> pretty convinced that part of what is going on is
> a dysregulation of the circadian clocks, so
> anything that can help stabilize that might be
> key. It's always too much sleep or too little!
>
> Gotta go now,
>
> Sean.
Posted by cecilia on November 16, 2006, at 2:56:20
In reply to Re: Is it common for bipolar to remain undiagnosed?, posted by cecilia on November 26, 2005, at 3:59:52
> As we all know, psychiatric theories come and go and one of the latest seems to be that depression that doesn't respond to AD's must really be bipolar. My question-how many mood stabilizers (and which ones are best) for proving or disapproving this theory? I haven't tried nearly as many mood stabilizers as I have AD's, just gabapentin and lamictal (and a brief trial of lithium, but I didn't like throwing up every morning-if I'm going to have morning sickness I should at least get a baby out of it). Oh, and clonazepam, which I guess is a mood stabilizer in large does, though not in the small dose I take (1.5 mg/day). Is there really any point in trying tons of different mood stabilizers just in case you might be bipolar? I'll have to see if the book Katia mentioned is available from the library. The Amazon review of it was pretty negative, though, and it sounded like it was mainly concerned with alcoholism, which isn't an issue for me. Cecilia
I see I wrote this post a year ago. Since then have been through Marplan and Emsam with negative results. Haven't tried any more mood stabilizers, though I take Neurontin for neuropathy, though I'm not sure it does anything, and still on clonazepam 1.5 mg/day, though I tried doubling the dose for a couple weeks and didn't notice the slighest difference. I read the book "Why Your Depression Isn't Getting Better" and basically the author said if you've only tried mood stabilizers with an AD you haven't really tried them. As far as I can see I have no bipolar symptoms other than anxiety and insomnia and chronic (lifelong) depression. And messed up circadian rhythms, I definitely have that. I was taking Celexa and trazodone when I tried Lamictal, so according to his theory I haven't really tried it. I really can't see trying it again though. I see my doctor Friday and I'm trying to decide what to suggest. He's long since run out of ideas for me and generally goes along with whatever I suggest, though he's supposedly the "expert' on treatment resistant depression at my HMO. After the horrible Emsam effects I said ok, I've tried every AD there is, no more. I'm wondering if I should go with the "anxious atypical TRD is really bipolar theory" and suggest another mood stabilizer trial, perhaps trileptal. I'm very overweight, have diabetes, and arthritis, cannot gain any more weight. Or maybe just concentrate on the anxiety component, see if my doctor would be willing to trial a switch from the useless clonazepam to another benzo, maybe diazepam, though I'm not sure he'd be willing to do that. The third possibility is one more AD, Prozac, in a very small dose, when I 1st tried it in 1990 only the 20 mg capsules were available and the anxiety/ insomnia were horrendous, but maybe a 5 mg dose would be tolerable, though I can't see why it would help if no other AD has. Any suggestions? Anyone found Lamictal more helpful alone than with an AD? It certainly wasn't like the Celexa and trazodone I was taking it with were making me manic! I do not respond well to stimulating drugs, though, so maybe the increased anxiety/insomnia that so many other AD's have caused in me really are subtle signs of mania. The endless Abilfy advertisements keep trying to convince everyone they really must be bipolar and Abilify is the solution but I'm terrifed of the agitation/anxiety it's supposed to cause. A brief trial of Zyprexa years ago had no benefit and in general I really would rather avoid AP's. Cecilia
Posted by cecilia on November 17, 2006, at 3:20:33
In reply to Treatment Resistant Depression-Suggestions?, posted by cecilia on November 16, 2006, at 2:56:20
Actually the book I read was"Why Am I still Depressed?" by Jim Phelps. I haven't read "Why Your Depression Isn't Getting Better" by Michael Bartos. I'll have to look into that one, though it sounds much the same. I just can't help but think that all this about the "bipolar spectrum" etc. has more to do with AD's going generic and lots of expensive new drugs for bipolar. In a few years the drug companies will come out with some new type of drugs and a whole new theory to sell them with. It's just so frustrating. I get so angry when I read articles about how "treatable" depression is. For a lot of us it's NOT treatable, or at least not helpable. I have no expectation that my pdoc will have more suggestions for me than anyone here has, and I get so terrified before my appointments, but I have to go if I want him to renew my sleeping pill prescriptions. Cecilia
Posted by Caedmon on November 19, 2006, at 16:15:31
In reply to Light Therapy, Dark Therapy!, posted by Andre Levy on November 14, 2006, at 0:32:12
> You're right on the money, Sean. Have a look at these findings:
>
> Dark Therapy
> http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/darkrx.htm
>
> Bipolar Disorder, Light, and Darkness
> http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/LightDark.htm
>I think this is very interesting. Light has a profound effect on my mood (not enough, or too much too long), as does dark.
I also find that circadian rhythms play a big role in how I feel. I can vastly decrease depression by simply denying myself some sleep in the morning, and if I do this long enough and keep the hours of sleep short enough, hypomania almost always will follow. Or, I can crash right into depression by just taking a hypnotic and then sleeping in for a few hours.
If I have been feeling depressed, I will often wake myself at ~ 4:00 a.m. with the dawn simulator and an alarm clock (and a caffeine pill, lol). Then I turn on a light box/ therapy lamp and sit in front of it for about 45 minutes (maybe goof off on the computer or something). I stay awake the day through, sometimes resorting to caffeine again, sometimes I don't need to. My depression will remit 80% of the time if I do this; anxiety, perhaps 50% of the time.
- Chris
Posted by Jeroen on March 23, 2007, at 21:49:28
In reply to Re: how long until your system is clean of seroquel » justina, posted by ed_uk on February 12, 2006, at 14:55:28
haha ed... non of their biz
if lucky swallows a seroquel tablet by accident, it sure is my business
Posted by bipolarized on August 9, 2007, at 22:50:27
In reply to Cyclothymia & mood stabilizers, posted by andrewb on August 7, 1999, at 10:33:51
Hi,
I was just diagnosed two days ago with cyclothymia and was placed on 300mg of Neurontin. I've just found loads of info on the internet (lawsuits for the company that makes it for illigally marketing it to psychiatrists despite it not being authorized to treat bipolar spectrum disorders by the FDA).
Has anyone had any experience being on Neurontin (Gabapentin)?
I am worried that it will be a waste of my time.
Posted by rina on August 11, 2007, at 19:06:32
In reply to Re: Cyclothymia + mood stabilizers, posted by bipolarized on August 9, 2007, at 22:50:27
Yes, I tried and didn't like Neurontin but loved Lyrica which is used for bipolar patients as well. The low dose is sedating but the high dose does the trick of treatment wonderfully. Unfortunately,I just couldn't tolerate the tingling sensations. Now with the neurontin. The tingling sensation of my hands and legs were unbearable as well as the weight gain. Plus the tiredness all the time and to top it off it did absolutely nothing by way of treatment. Just my experience.
Posted by Shanner on August 12, 2007, at 10:44:31
In reply to Re: Cyclothymia + mood stabilizers, posted by rina on August 11, 2007, at 19:06:32
Was the Lyrica helpful for anxiety? Also, do you happen to know if it's safe with maoi's (Parnate)? Does the Lyrica cause much weight gain?
Posted by barbaracat on August 12, 2007, at 15:30:19
In reply to Re: Cyclothymia + mood stabilizers, posted by bipolarized on August 9, 2007, at 22:50:27
I like Gabapentin, i.e., Neurontin, very much. I have fibromyalgia and am bipolar. I don't take it all the time because it tends to lose potency pretty quickly, however, it calms and relaxes me unlike anything else.
I've tried Lyrica and just got sleepy and a little depressed. I guess I don't take it so much for pain relief, which it has little effect on, or for stabilizing my bipolar moods. Mainly just to experience the calm, tranquility I can get from taking 3 pills every now and then.
Posted by rina on August 15, 2007, at 14:03:10
In reply to Re: Cyclothymia + mood stabilizers, posted by Shanner on August 12, 2007, at 10:44:31
I'm not sure if it's safe with Parnate,ask your pdoc about that but yes it does help with anxiety to the max and unfortunately, yes it does cause a little bit of weight gain.
Posted by Cyclothymic on September 16, 2007, at 0:03:33
In reply to Re: Cyclothymia mood stabilizers, posted by Carter on December 14, 2001, at 14:50:40
Thanks for your insight!
After a lifetime (well, I'm 33) of knowing something was wrong with me but never addressing it, I have come to learn through therapy, a shrink and research that I am definitely cyclothymic. I am predisposed to it as my mother is Bipolar I (Manic Depressive) (see http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis/p20-md03.html), but I medicated myself with marijuana for the last 12 years -- partly because of the fact I did not have health insurance and did not want to pay for therapy, and partly because of the fact I didn't realize how strong my addiction to pot was. I have not smoked for the past two months -- although I think about it all the time because I had come to associate it with making every enjoyable occasion even better -- and I do not want to resume smoking.
Due to job-related stress that has impacted my marriage and finances, I have been having major anxiety issues, sleep problems and just everyday anger, negativity, irritability and anxiety. But I now have good health ins. coverage through my wife and am finally addressing my issues.
After reading up on bipolar all over the net, I am concerned about my shrink's decision to put me solely on Wellbutrin, as I have read that antidepressants alone can actually spark a hypomanic episode. I have only recently started taking it, and only a low dosage so I haven't really seen the effects yet. I am curious as to if there is anyone out there who is taking solely wellbutrin for cyclothymia and how it is working out, or if they are taking it in combination with something else that is working effectively. I DO NOT want to take something that is going to make me gain weight or become drowzy.
If anyone can chime with their experiences, I really would appreciate it.
Sincerely,
KT
Posted by bipolarized on September 16, 2007, at 6:19:08
In reply to Re: Cyclothymia mood stabilizers, posted by Cyclothymic on September 16, 2007, at 0:03:33
I was diagnosed w/ Cyclothymia a month ago and was put first on Gabapentin, then on Depakene. Both drugs triggered a severe suicidal depression unlike any I have ever experienced. My shrink claims I'm just one of those rare people who have paradoxical reactions to anti-convlusant mood stabilizers. Personally I think he is a dumb-*ss.
Now I've been told to stay away from all mood stabilizers and just stay my normal self (sometimes a little over-talkative and other times somewhat anti-social).
Before I was diagnosed a cyclothymic I had been taking Wellbutrin (to quit smoking) and I had mild hypomanic reactions (like talking alot, working long hours, and losing weight).
I highly reccomend Wellbutrin since it didn't seem to have any major effect on me from my normal state, just enhanced my mood a tiny bit. It took away my normal (med free) occaisional anti-social moods also, and I did seem more cheerful.
Still, I'm staying away from all meds for now.
I'm still getting over the shock of what the anti-convulsant mood stablizers did to me. It was weird. It was like I was taking depression pills or something.Good luck
> Thanks for your insight!
>
> After a lifetime (well, I'm 33) of knowing something was wrong with me but never addressing it, I have come to learn through therapy, a shrink and research that I am definitely cyclothymic. I am predisposed to it as my mother is Bipolar I (Manic Depressive) (see http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis/p20-md03.html), but I medicated myself with marijuana for the last 12 years -- partly because of the fact I did not have health insurance and did not want to pay for therapy, and partly because of the fact I didn't realize how strong my addiction to pot was. I have not smoked for the past two months -- although I think about it all the time because I had come to associate it with making every enjoyable occasion even better -- and I do not want to resume smoking.
>
> Due to job-related stress that has impacted my marriage and finances, I have been having major anxiety issues, sleep problems and just everyday anger, negativity, irritability and anxiety. But I now have good health ins. coverage through my wife and am finally addressing my issues.
>
> After reading up on bipolar all over the net, I am concerned about my shrink's decision to put me solely on Wellbutrin, as I have read that antidepressants alone can actually spark a hypomanic episode. I have only recently started taking it, and only a low dosage so I haven't really seen the effects yet. I am curious as to if there is anyone out there who is taking solely wellbutrin for cyclothymia and how it is working out, or if they are taking it in combination with something else that is working effectively. I DO NOT want to take something that is going to make me gain weight or become drowzy.
>
> If anyone can chime with their experiences, I really would appreciate it.
>
> Sincerely,
> KT
Posted by rina on September 16, 2007, at 16:13:43
In reply to Re: Cyclothymia mood stabilizers, posted by bipolarized on September 16, 2007, at 6:19:08
Yeah I totally agree with you on the Depakote. My doc said I was one of the few as well that this medicine stopped the cycling but took me too low which caused a state of severe depression. Then he switched me to a combo of lamictal/topamax and my mood has been wonderful ever since.
Posted by bipolarized on September 16, 2007, at 17:33:43
In reply to Re: Cyclothymia mood stabilizers » bipolarized, posted by rina on September 16, 2007, at 16:13:43
It's so funny because I was able to find some research online that reported a higher incidence of suicidal thoughts within the first few weeks of people taking Depakote or Depakene. My doctor claimed to have never heard about this, but he works for a sucky HMO. I've since dumped the HMO and switched to another health insurer but have yet to meet my new doctor. I'm looking forward to getting a 2nd opinion on all of this.
It took me having to experience true depression on those meds before I realized how good I had it without meds. My normal moods are never that extreme,and I'm alot more comfortable being a little quircky than before this awful experience.
Cool to hear you found a good med balance.
I'm eventually going to investigate whether any other meds will work for me, but I'm gonna wait until I get a 2 month vacation from my job before I try anything else. I want to give myself a window of time to adjust to any med that they want me to try.Thanks for your response.
> Yeah I totally agree with you on the Depakote. My doc said I was one of the few as well that this medicine stopped the cycling but took me too low which caused a state of severe depression. Then he switched me to a combo of lamictal/topamax and my mood has been wonderful ever since.
Posted by Tony P on September 18, 2007, at 21:56:45
In reply to Re: Cyclothymia mood stabilizers, posted by Cyclothymic on September 16, 2007, at 0:03:33
Wow, this thread has being going for over 8 years! Is that a record?
I am so pleased to see other people talking about cyclothymia ... when I used the term to my pdoc, he described it as obsolete, now it's all "ultra-rapid cycling bipolar" etc., but it perfectly describes what I've been going through in the past year or so, with a main cycle of a few days to a week or so.
The creative/artistic connection, mentioned way back in the thread, has been a big thing for me recently. After many years of writing almost no music, I started work a couple of months ago on a major classical choral piece for a concert later this month. I found I was staying up all night riding the high of composition, often for several nights in a row, then crashing and sleeping for as long as 36 hrs. at a stretch.
The most difficult thing is that I enjoy the highs, and they _have_ been productive -- I've written the one piece that I'm very proud of, and knocked off a few others that are quite OK. I also resurrected a number of pieces I wrote or left unfinished in my teens & early twenties (the pencil manuscripts were beginning to fade!), revised them & got them into the computer so I can print out readable copies. They somehow look much more impressive than handwritten MSS, so I get extra satisfaction out of seeing myself in print, as it were!
Trouble is of course the roller-coaster ride I've been on creates some major problems for me, not just the depressive side of the mood swings, but being out of synch with the rest of the world (up all night/asleep all day), not able to commit to a regular day job, and not even managing normal self-care because I'm either too high & concentrated on what I'm doing to care, or I'm too exhausted to have the energy to brush my teeth or even undress for bed - when I crash, I **crash**!
Browsing quickly through the thread has reminded me of a couple of med. approaches & other strategies I need to get on to, or back to. I do have a minor but significant S.A.D. component, & right about now is the time of year when it kicks in, so I've got out the hi-intensity light and I'll put it on a timer so it wakes me up whether I want to or not.
As far as meds go, my main A/D is Remeron 30 mg. at night. I also take Requip (ropinirole, a dopamine booster) & 1-2 mg/day clonazepam as I suffer a fair bit from social anxiety and even agrophobia. I've been a bit irregular with the Remeron lately: I skip it when I'm on an all-night high (because I don't _want_ to stop & sleep) then either take it in the AM and sleep the day away or add an extra half dose over the next two nights. It has at least kept me free from the near-suicidal level of depression I was cycling through six months ago. I've also been self-medicating with mild stimulants such as Modafinil, Adrafinil & good old coffee, which of course only make the hypo-manic highs higher, but lately they haven't been working to get me moving in the crash periods -- I can take a full dose of Adrafinil (600 mg) and then sleep for 10 hrs. So all in all I'm on a regime that's mostly activating -- no wonder I'm getting hypo-manic swings!
I was on a mood-stabiliser for a year or two, Lamictal, and in retrospect I may not have been having as much fun, but I sure wasn't swinging as wide. The main reason I haven't gone back on to it before now is the very slow dose build-up recommended versus not being entirely sure how helpful it will be. I haven't seen my pdoc for a couple of months or more, so it's time to discuss that with him again. I think it was working better for me than I credited at the time. I've also tried Neurontin, but it mostly makes me dopey without a lot of benefit that I can feel.
I need to hit the cognitive/behavioural side too, get more order & discipline back in my life (how I hate that d--- word!), but where does one start? Especially when my current crazy lifestyle has such good short-term rewards! Maybe a med change will help me kick-start a turn-around. But I know only too well I have to do some of the legwork as well: I've been through enough different med changes to know that there's no simple "magic bullet" for me.
Tony
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