Posted by manowar on May 21, 2002, at 17:29:19
In reply to 2-3 day cycling, posted by Rob Hallett on May 19, 2002, at 2:21:34
> I wonder if anyone could offer information around what medications may have helped them get out of a short-cycling and apparently unipolar depression phase?
> I'm currently on a combined therapy of 375mg venlafaxine and 45mg mirtazapine (Zispin in the UK). The cycle I'm talking about is one where I'm pretty low & withdrawn & with little energy & poor cognitive ability for about 2.5 days. I then fairly quickly come up to ok functioning, with reasonable energy etc for another 2 to 2.5 days before then dropping back to the first state. I do not have a bi-polar diagnosis and have not experienced abnormal highs or "manic" episodes.
> Can anyone relate to this from their own experience and say how theirs was resolved, and through what medication?
> I have had a co-morbid chronic migraine syndrome
> which only became managed in August last year through taking pizotifen(Sanomigran in UK)nightly. That has proved to be really effective .
>
> My history prior to the onset of the major depression (much of which has remitted) was of experiencing what probably amounted to traumatic stress levels over prolonged periods through gross work overload.
> I need someone (or two!) who has been through this sort of short cycle to tell me there's a way out...........and how long it may take?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Rob
Hi Rob,I have a similar case, I think. I have been diagnosed with Cyclothymia which I’m guessing would be equivalent to Bipolar 2 1/2 or 3.) My swings are fairly unpredictable but range anywhere from feeling normal from 1 to 7 days, then feeling very depressed for at least 3 days to a week or two. I’ve never been manic, and I don’t think I’ve even been hypomanic.
To answer your first question: “ I wonder if anyone could offer information around what medications may have helped them get out of a short-cycling and apparently unipolar depression phase?” If your asking if I’ve found something to kill the down cycle and get me back to normal-not really. Psychostimulants like Ritalin make some folks like me feel better for a day or two, but unfortunately pstims like Ritalin are not anti-depressants by themselves, and the euphoric effect is very short lived. Personally, I have not found any drug that could kill a down cycle.
For me, there is no “magic pill”. But I am starting to overcome my Cyclothymia, with a great doctor, a combination of several meds, and a good attitude. Finding the great doctor, and the good attitude towards wellness was the easy part. Finding the right combination of meds has taken a lot of patients, and diligence.
Jon was absolutely correct when he said, “People with your symptoms can require a ‘best of the best’ doctor.”
Like yourself, not only do I suffer depression when I’m on my down swing, but my cognitive or thinking abilities grind to a halt.
After suffering for many years and not getting any relief from my pdocs, I started doing a lot of research on depression. In summary, I found a great ‘brain doctor’ and had scans done. I was diagnosed not only with Cyclothymia, but also with the inattentive subtype of ADD. Since I’ve started the stimulants and Klonipin, along with the antidepressants, I’ve made a ton of improvement. But for my condition I have to take several different meds.
I’m not saying that you may have ADD. I am saying do your homework, and find the best doctor you can, because like Jon, I don’t think you have a simple case.
Hang in there, and be diligent towards getting better. If you’ve not already got one, find a doctor you can trust, and that trusts you (i.e. doesn’t treat you like a druggy and can fit you in his schedule at a moments notice, if need be).
Like most of the people on this site, I’ve learned a lot about my condition, because I think my health is my responsibility, not my doctor’s. In other words, if I don’t like my doctor, and I don’t agree with his treatment regimen, it’s my responsibility to hit the bricks and find another one.
Cheerio and good luck,
Tim
poster:manowar
thread:106941
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020517/msgs/107188.html