Posted by Geezer on February 19, 2002, at 10:09:07
In reply to You story sounds like mine! » Geezer, posted by spike4848 on February 18, 2002, at 18:16:43
Hey Spike,
Thanks for the good wishes. First let me answer your question because this is the point that had me comfused for a very long time. I NEVER had a manic esisode. In HINDSIGHT I did have some hypomania but it felt absolutely NORMAL. Looking back, I believe, this was the order of events:
1) Present to pdoc with major depression (with or without hospital stay).
2) Given TCAs or MAOIs (in the 70s & 80s then SSRIs in the 90s).
3) Hypomania - mild would set in, this felt normal and I felt recovered so I would stop drugs so I could "function at a very high level" ( I had one of those 24/7 jobs-cardiac pacemakers-on call 24 hours-only vacationed when incapacitated with depression-spent my life in surgery).
4) Gradually depression would emerge and grow worse-I would again present to the old pdoc and again be treated for Recurrent Major Depression thus starting the cycle over again.Here is the point. I don't think it is worth wasting anymore time trying to decide if you have hypomania or not. A trial with mood stabilizers won't do any harm regardless of the DX. If you get proper results with the mood stabilizers you may not need anything further. I do read your posts often but, forgive me, I do not remember if you have tried them. In any case I wouldn't accept a DX of TRD until you do so.
WOW! - Strong family history. My mother is Bipolar II-somatic delusion with depression-takes Dep. & Trilofon, my sister is Bipolar II-persecutory delusion with depression, she is in denial and not treated. My very best to you and your family. Hope to hear from you.
Geezer......This is all IMHO
poster:Geezer
thread:94508
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020215/msgs/94625.html