Posted by MB on July 18, 2001, at 21:37:19
In reply to Re: Best Tolerated Anti-Convulsant for BP » MB, posted by Mr.Scott on July 18, 2001, at 17:18:38
> You know something.. I couldn't agree with you more about questioning the BPII Dx. I really think I have something that crosses several boundries in the DSM. Has anything worked for you? I guess Benzos and low dose SSRI's seem to be my best hope to date, but they are far from perfect. Have you tried Remeron? My teeth are always clenched from prozac, but without it I fall off into hell rather quickly. The Anxiety is a staple in my life with obsessive thinking even when I do feel okay. Stress clearly aggravates my condition, but is not the sole cause. Also, Let me know if anything has Definately NOT worked. I tried to commit suicide on a combo of Prozac and Wellbutrin 5 or six years ago, So I can't recommend that one. What is your response to caffiene? I need it stay awake, but it causes me great misery. What is your most recent Dx.. I am very curious to find someone else who has such similar qualities.
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> Mr.ScottWell, as far as my last diagnosis goes, it's been "major depression," but this was before bipolar II became popular amongst diagnosing pdocs. I imagine there would be some pdocs out there wanting to diagnose me as BPII. I say this because of the similarity of my symptoms to other people (like yourself) who have been DXed as BPII.
Wellbutrin drove me out of my mind. I could handle it with large doses of Xanax, however. SSRIs seem to alleviate the depression at first and then poop out...all the while creating "racing" thoughts, restlesness, anxiety, etc. As with you, SSRIs and a benzo has been the best legal treatment I've recieved. However, my history of drug abuse precludes most pdocs from even going *near* benzos where I am concerned.
Strangly, speaking of the obsession you mentioned above, the SSRIs made it *much* worse. Was that you're experience? Can obsessions be due to anxiety and not due to obsessive compulsive disorder? I think mine are just due to anxious worry. I guess "worry" and "obsession" might be differnt...I get them confused with one another.
About caffeine: it makes me miserable: anxiety, racing thoughts, facial tics, and diaphragmatic tics (like little, barely-audible coughs). I can tolorate two cups, max, separated by no fewer than five hours. I've tried to quit a million times, but the suicidal depression that ensues is unbearable.
Are you going to try anti-convulsive medication? I found neurontin to be a very easily tolorated one. I took it for restless leg symptoms, and can't remember what it did to my mood.
poster:MB
thread:70361
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010714/msgs/70748.html