Posted by katia on May 13, 2003, at 12:43:17
In reply to Re: Help! I think I may be manic!, posted by garylee on May 13, 2003, at 11:43:30
> Hi Katia
>
> It sounds to me like your experiencing 'Hypomania' not full blown Mania. I believe in full blown mania you would probably be becoming psychotic after two weeks of it, also I'd say you would not have be sleeping AT ALL. I have seen Mania, and it is not a pretty sight...
>
> As I read you post I instantly thought Bipolar II, like myself, and most probably SSRI induced!
>
> I was initially constantly depressed, with occasional good days (perhaps very mild Hypomania?). My first proper go at an SSRI was Prozac. After 6 weeks I felt it wasn't doing much so I started to taper off, then BANG! Hypomanic for 3 - 4 weeks. Then came the inevitable crash back down to earth...
>
> From experience (and many other BPII's would agree) SSRI's and Bipolar II do not mix, and there is tons of evidence pointing to this. My older brother was tried on every AD there is, all of which made him worse. They then tried two at once (can't remember what they were), this made him the worst he has ever been, and he has not really improved since. They have definitely messed up his brain for the foreseeable future.
>
> In my opinion try sticking to mood stabilisers, and avoid anything with Serotonin action. Lamictal would be the first to try, it was a life saver for me.
>
> Anyway good luck.
>
> Gary
>
HI Gary,
Thanks so much for your input! All input is helpful. As I've said in the previous posts on the thread; this feeling has not been unfamiliar, (unrelated to meds), but now that I think about it, maybe I experienced some hypomania after I stopped Celexa and simultaneously transitioned onto Effexor. I didn't experience this coming off of Eff. though. I transitioned straight onto Zoloft while weaning myself from Eff. and almost instantly (in the midst of Eff. horrible w/drawals) became a deer in the headlights type of zombie. I have now started Serzone - exactly two weeks ago. (these are all the meds I've tried). I feel as though I'm getting better, but then I'll have these mood swings of irritability and impatience periodically. I should be in to see a pdoc (a good one) in the next two months. I'll tell him all my experiences and perhaps he can make a clear and knowledgable dx. It's only just occured to me that maybe I am bp2 as when I think of my depressions in the past and in between (mind you this year is the first time I've sought out professional help) ; it's not always - only sometimes been a complete waste case staring at walls and ceiling for hours on end in painful lethargy or crying and crawling on the floor simply for movement, marking my own arms with fingernails, banging head on wall,etc. The other times have been mixed - like a depression,but with highly charged energy of irritation and temper tantrums,etc. rage and aggression. and then crying and sadness - cycling.
It's all good to note and I'm ongoingly discussing this with my therpaist as I dont' have a real pdoc right now. just a clinic to get meds of my recommendation....
thanks.
katia
poster:katia
thread:225051
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030505/msgs/226337.html