Posted by sedona on November 18, 2002, at 13:35:52
I have been reading this board for some time and have always found it to be very helpful. Lately, I have been having doubts about my treatment and was hoping someone could add some insight. I have had problems with depression for years. It has disrupted my job and college (I've been in school for 10 years). Finally about 1 1/2 years ago I finally decided to see a doctor for treatment. At that time I was diagnosed with double depression. I was put on Wellbutrin and had horrible side-effects especially insomnia. My doctor told me to give it more time. Eventually I was able to sleep normally. But I began to have these horrible mood swings that could change from week to week or day to day. On one day I might be lying on my couch fantasizing about suicide and other self destructive thoughts. The next day I might feel perfectly fine as if nothing had ever happened- good, but never manic. Many of these mood swings occurred around ovulation and my period. So, my doctor put me on Prozac. Prozac helped my severe anxiety greatly, but I still had mood swings. Eventually the Wellbutrin was dropped and Lamictal was added to the Prozac. I do feel that Lamictal has helped somewhat. I have looked at Dr. Ivan Goldberg's and Dr. Phelps websites, both of which discuss the bipolar spectrum. My concern is that my initial diagnosis of depression was not correct. If my mood swings are just PMS or PMDD then why does it feel SO much worse than any PMS I have ever had and for that matter why has Prozac not helped? Has anyone else had this experience or have any ideas for me?
Thank you for reading.
poster:sedona
thread:128139
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021116/msgs/128139.html