Posted by Chloe on May 21, 2002, at 18:53:01
In reply to That Bitch Bipolar II, posted by TomG on May 21, 2002, at 1:05:58
> I have recently been diagnosed with bipolar type II disorder. My deprsession, agitation, and terrible irritability plague me more than some of the hypomanias that I have experienced through my 26 years. It took four psychiatrists before I found a competent one who I believe has finally correctly diagnosed me. I have taken a slough of AD before my current diagnosis. None of them seemed to do the trick by themselves. My current drug therapy started with lithium 900mg/day. By day 14 the "switch" I hear so many talk about finally flicked in my head. The fog lifted and feelings of normalcy came over me like nothing I've ever felt. Definately not hypomania. After five days this went away. Too good to be true. My blood test showed my levels to be a bit low (.57mmol/lt) so my doctor raised my dose to 1200mg/day. This dosage drove me up the wall with extreme agitation. I had this pressure in my brain like something was building up. I guess like I was literally going blow my lid. Felt like I needed to scream. I dropped my dosage to 600mg and added Nardil 45mg. I've been on Nardil for 24 days total but only 14 days at 45mgs. Four days ago I added 2.5 Zyprexa. I feel as though some of the problems are lifting, but it doesn't fell as natural as the lithium. Has anyone had this experience with lithim. Is that normal. What is a typical effective Nardil dose? I really don't know which medicines are working. I think I should have given the Nardil longer without adding the Zyprexa. I'd appreciate if anyone has similar experiences with biplolar II or especially lithium to write. The medicine game is all too confusing.
When I read your post, I thought, who cares about the # or blood level if you are feeling well and stable. BP2 is a different diagnosis than BP1, and the blood levels are much more subjective and "should" be based on what the patient can tolerate and comply with.
I too, took Li. I was on 600 mgs, .4 level. I was feeling well, not cycling, but my pdoc pushed my dose up to 900 mgs. I had the most uncomfortable feeling inside. I was shaky on the inside, sleepy but restless and just felt so blah and yucky. So I got my level up to .7 but I felt like hell. Then I developed a rash, and had to come off the li completely. I was really disappointed. So now I am on Li 225 mgs(most I can take without a rash), 250 mgs depakote and 600 mgs of Neurontin, plus a little celexa and diazapam...
My point is, if something is working, and the patient is reporting stability, and the patient knows the signs to look for when hypo or mania is coming, I think a lower end level is ok. Ie, I could have stayed on 600 mgs of li and not had to bother with the side effects and expense of two other mood stabilizers...Sorry for the rant, I guess I can relate to some of what you are experiencing.
Take care,
Chloe
poster:Chloe
thread:107138
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020517/msgs/107199.html