Posted by Sheree73 on August 27, 2001, at 9:31:30
In reply to Re: Cyclothymia mood stabilizers, posted by Heidi Garraghty on August 2, 2001, at 11:47:46
I have just been diagnosed with Cyclothymic disorder. When I read the description of this diagnosis, I allmost expected to see a picture of me...or at least my name. It is accurate.
I've been battling with mood instability for years but recently it's been getting out of hand. I have major crying jags, loss of motivation, extreme bouts of sadness & loneliness and severe insomnia (with nightmares if & when I do sleep).
Last week I saw an intelligent & perceptive psychiatrist for the 1st time. She's the one who diagnosed me & she prescribed Neurontin (& Ambien for the insomnia).
Neurontin is a mood stabilizer. Effexor, an antidepressant seemed to have no positive effect-my symptoms of depression skyrocketed.
It's way too early to tell since I've taken Neurontin for less than a week now but I actually felt some degree of relief within 24hrs. This is great! It took months to determine that Effexor was a failure!
I'm still a bit concerned that "stabilizing" my moods will take away too much of the elation/joy/euphoria that I have enjoyed. But the trade off - bouts of what feels like - severe depression are too much for me.
Good luck in finding what works for you. I hope this is helpful or at least interesting to anyone out there who's suffering or knows anythone who is.
poster:Sheree73
thread:9730
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010822/msgs/76572.html