Posted by Ritch on February 24, 2002, at 17:02:17
In reply to Anxiety or Hypomania?, posted by Ponder on February 24, 2002, at 15:43:31
> This thread has been helpful regarding symptoms of hypomania. I've been bipolar all my adult life, was misdiagnosed with recurrent depression, in part because I did not recognize hypomanic symptoms. I thought all that agitation and "driven-ness" was anxiety, but didn't want to take anything that might make me sleepy because I was always playing catch-up at work for those depressive episodes which involved horrible fatigue and hypersomnia (thus, lack of productivity).
>
> Anyway, regarding medications... I'm currently on Lamictal 150, Wellbutrin SR 400, Ambien 10 at night, and Ativan as needed. Lamictal has been the only drug to which I have ever responded convincingly. I've been on it for about 6 months. Lately I've been experiencing agitation, especially in response to going to places where there are many people, like the theater where I volunteer to sell tickets. I also experience indecisiveness, a tendency to compulsive behaviors-- like computer games, calculating and recalculating my budget, that sort of thing. I am wondering if Topamax might be a good add-on and have been encouraged by John's comments. Any input? Thanks.
> BTW, I am no longer working. A surprisingly successful career obliterated by AD-induced mixed states that finally crashed into a two-year depression. Lamictal is the first stabilizer I've been on and has been an enormous help at 150 mg/day --less is bad, more is bad, 150 is good.Hi Ponder,
I would suggest backing off the Wellbutrin some. I mood chart my bipolar and keep track of all my dosages on a spreadsheet and watch the trends. I have been able to tolerate Wellbutrin less and less as my seasonal bipolar depression has lifted and now I am looking at very intense hypomanias in April and May. Just an opinion, but when it comes to bipolar I think you need to look at what you can *reduce* before you think of what to add-on. I think Topamax is a good anti-manic agent. Some folks get unremitting *brain fog* from it, some don't. Try dropping your WB down to 300mg/day from 400mg and see if the *anxiety* lightens up a bit.
good luck,
Mitch
poster:Ritch
thread:92412
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020222/msgs/95335.html