Posted by Noa on March 10, 2000, at 13:18:59
In reply to Re: Update--It's the Thyroid, Stupid, posted by dove on March 10, 2000, at 9:55:09
> if the TSH has been over 1 this entire time, couldn't that be the cause of some of the physical symptoms accompanying your depression, or kindling the depression?Yep, that's what I'm thinking too.
>Why does your doc think that your bipolar? Have you ever had a manic episode ? Hasn't the straight out lethargic-depression always been the problem?
No manic episodes to date. Have always had the lethargic, oversleeping, overeating type of depression. My pdoc sees the depression as similar in features to the depression of bipolar illness, and that it seems to have a cycling pattern, even tho I don't get any manic or hypomanic episodes. So he sees me as having bipolar depression, rather than the full bipolar disorder.
Even so, in relation to MY moods, I can identify what you might call subtle, micro-hypo-manic moods, that is, in comparison with my calmer "normal" (who even remembers the last time I saw that?) or depressed moods. In many ways these moods are like having ADD--unfocused, but interested in everything, having lots of ideas of things to do, etc. In some ways, it seems like a function of anxiety. Another analogy is how it feels when a non-caffeine drinker drinks some strong coffee--kinda revved. It also can seem like I am trying to make up for lost time, as though I have surfaced for a brief time from the depths of depression, and want to take all the world in before being sucked back down. I don't act manic, don't take on really outrageous endeavors, just too much for me.
My response to lithium also seemed to support the idea of me having bipolar depression. And, I think the fact that meds like effexor and the ssris were very activating for me, and I never found them sedating, as some people do.
poster:Noa
thread:26511
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000302/msgs/26632.html