Posted by Ritch on October 23, 2002, at 12:57:14
In reply to Re: dawn simulator links RICH, posted by polarbear206 on October 23, 2002, at 8:38:52
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> > > > Just an afterthought /idea, but I noticed that when I have the worst problem with mixed states is when the foliage on the trees isn't present yet, and the "suntime" is increasing very rapidly starting in late February through mid-April.
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> > > Rich,
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> > > This same pattern also happens to me. Our internal clocks are very sensitive to the time change. I'll be anxious to see how I will do in February next year. Now on Lamictal since this past March. I had a timer on my SAD light a few years back. It drove my husband nuts!! I never wore sun glasses in the fall and winter too since I had light hunger. Are you taking a mood stabilizer?
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> > > Laura
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> > Laura, I'm taking Depakote (250-500mg) for plain and mixed(grouchy) hypomania. I'm a 3-week rapid cycler, otherwise the seasonal stuff is a major depression starting in mid-Nov. through mid-Jan. (which has atypical symptoms), then an intermittent (the 3-week thing comes into play here) mild mixed state from late-Feb through late-March, then 'plain' intermittent hypomanic periods from April-mid-June, then another major depressive episode with *sometimes* mixed features, then another stretch of 'plain' intermittent hypomania in the fall, with a return to major depression symptoms in November. I have just noticed recently that the rapid decrease in morning daylight has caused my sleep times to become 'advanced'. I want to stay up later and want to sleep-in later every morning. Did the SAD lights work for you? I am spooked about Lamictal because of the rash thing (I have had several mild skin reactions to other meds). I've had success with Adderall+Neurontin for seasonal depression before. I am now on Depakote+Ritalin.
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> Rich,
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> Light therapy can be very helpful, but you have to dicipline yourself to stick with it. I have a very active lifestyle and always on the go. I do get outside every day and walk my dogs and often go to the gym to work out. You probably know that you need to stick with a strict sleep/wake cycle to keep your symtoms at bay too. It's a struggle to get up eary on my days off, but I feel better if I do this! You mention only the depakote and Ritalin. Why not a low dose of an antidepressant? The Maoi's are very helpful for atypical derpession. I was headed in this direction if my current cocktail didn't work. I was on lithium and depakote in the past. Didn't have the great results I am having now with lamictal. I hope you decide to give it a try in the future. I am a fair skin blonde and have a hisory of rashes from drugs. I broke out in hives several times after strenuous exercise when on antiderpessants. I got a rash with initial start of lamictal. This subsided. I got some ithching when I would increase the dose. I'm up to 100mg/day now. My other meds are, imipramine 50mg and paxil 7.5mg.
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> Laura.Laura, I'm taking 12.5 mg of Effexor in the mornings, too. I was trying higher-dose wellbutrin with it and I just can't handle the anxiety/grouchiness from the WB, so I have been tapering it down and have stopped it today. MAOI's my pdoc won't write for, or T4 either. Lamictal *sounds* like such a good fit though. Depakote has been the only thing that really knocks out my hostility spells, so it looks like a keeper. I have a strong feeling that Depakote and Nardil probably would be the simplest best combo for me, but oh well....
I'm all too familiar with the need for regular sleep/wake cycles oh boy! The alarm clock is a MUST. It is set for the same time every day regardless. If I have an appointment that requires me to wake even one hour earlier it messes me up for two-three days. Lately, if I forget to set the alarm I will sleep 12 hrs. I think the dawn simulator idea would be the best one-that way I wouldn't have to park myself in front of a light on a schedule.
poster:Ritch
thread:124310
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021019/msgs/124874.html