Posted by madscientist on May 29, 2001, at 2:01:58
In reply to Re: Rapid Cycling Hell/Ziprasidone a miracle drug, posted by Roger Minkle on May 25, 2001, at 20:15:50
It worked for me in the drug trials. It isn't a last hope or the only med (or med combo) that will do the trick. But, I was very impressed that an ultra-rapid cycler (4 or more per day for weeks at a time), such as myself, could have this hellish form of bipolar misery short-circuited in the time span of a mere three days on Ziprasidone (Zeldox).
Keep in mind that the form of manic-depression I have is not necessarily going to respond the way yours will. But, after surviving 5-years of absolute anguish before getting sprung from Hell into pain free existence, should give me a PH.D. in Bipolar Psychopharmacology.
It is Hell through the struggle. What would have heped me, is if I'd been told, "Don't fight it. Don't try to break free. Don't try to live the life you're accustomed to UNTIL this illness has been stabilized. Take all the time needed to do this, so you'll never have to go through it again. Fix it now. Learn to accept it. Let go of the fierce anger over having lost out on all present opportunities. Get well, first. You can live life to the fullest if you're well. There is no life for a madman or madwoman, there's only, pain and eventual involuntary confinement. Stability will set you free."
I had to self-educate when I was able. I had to fight the doctor in few precious moments of lucid assertion and make him read the literature (sorry, the NEW literature...not the twenty year old crap learned in antiquaited books and from ancient feeble pseudo-psychiatrist led grand rounds at state mental hospitals). I had to push, demand and EDUCATE my doctor so that I COULD LIVE.
In June, I'll see a top Endocrinologist so that I MAY have PERMISSION to continue treatment with high doses of T4 and T3 thyroid hormones. Currently, these doses are 400mcg Unithroid (T4) and 100mcg Cytomel (T3), for the purpose of achieveing blood levels in the 25-percentile of the normal range (that is the upper quartile of the normal range...way up high in the high end of the range). It works. My doctor is in a panic and perplexed as to why it works, even though I put the empirical evidence and supporting literature in his hands as well as reading the high points to him!!!!!! Now, I must see the endocrinologist (who, by the way, is not obsessive-compulsive about so-called normal-for-every-person-on-earth thyroid test numbers). This is a highly recommended top doc with the ability to continue studying medicine even after being licensed as a doctor. I am looking forward to this meeting. I hope to be greatly impressed.
Research and read...it is a life line.
Nancy
> My doctor just started me out on ziprasidone after trying many different kinds of meds. I have terrible anxiety and depression. He said that doctors for UC Irvine use it for people are bipolar. I don't have a manic phases but the doctor says I am a rapid cycler. I want to talk with someone who has similar problems or good results. Roger
poster:madscientist
thread:1270
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010522/msgs/64560.html