Posted by Libby on June 27, 2000, at 14:09:25
In reply to Re: Differential Diagnosis: ADD - Bipolar II, posted by Janice on June 22, 2000, at 23:05:10
Hey Janice...
>The only thing I am afraid of is never finding >treatment for the depression, as I do have the
>rapid cycling type of bipolar which is very
>difficult to treat. So quality of my life in
>the future = amount of depression I'll
>experience.I'm taking a TOVA on Monday, which should tell me about the ADD. He's already begun treating me as Bipolar II - Rapid Cycling. Depakote and a lower dose of Effexor XR. The only change I feel is the depression closing in again. I can't tell the Depakote has improved a thing I'm not sure I understand the philosophy behind medicating me so my moods don't "cycle" when NOT cycling leaves me so depressed. I am depressed, to some degree, every single day.
I think that no matter what my doc says, I am going to do a trial with Wellbutrin, the lower dose of Effexor, and perhaps the Depakote. The studies I've found say that stimulants will improve anyone's ability to focus and since Wellbutrin is a stimulating AD and I have an old supply onhand, I figure it's worth a try.
It may not be ideal to try it myself, but if it works, I may be able to take Wellbutrin instead of Depakote. If the Wellbutrin worsens my symptoms, then it strengthens the case for hypomania & Bipolar II. I discussed this idea with my doc and he said it was "intriguing"
then prescribed the Depakote.Wellbutrin and see if that helps than be on Depakote for the rest of my life, especially if I don't need it.
>Perhaps you have ADD, and it has become worse >with depression.
Maybe so. This has been my third major depressive episode, but the first two weren't like this. A little Prozac, a little therapy,
& no more problem. This time, no matter what I try, there are side effects that leave me non-functional. I don't want to start battling Bipolar II unless I'm pretty convinced that's what I have because more drugs => more side effects.> If you have anymore questions, please ask, Janice
>
> a good way to help discern which disorder you could have would be to examine the medications you've tried and to look at the reactions you've had with them.This is the hard part because I don't know what happy is "supposed" to feel like.
poster:Libby
thread:38002
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000619/msgs/38456.html