Posted by colin wallace on June 5, 2003, at 5:13:09
In reply to Re: Lamictal success stories for Ritch » colin wallace, posted by katia on June 3, 2003, at 15:45:56
> Hi Colin,
> I noticed that you have a dx of bpII. When were you diagnosed? I'm going in for an appt. with a good pdoc in two weeks and have yet to receive a proper dx after a year of four different ADs. The more I research and hear about BPII, the more I think there's more going on with me than just unipolar depression. I have an inkling that's what my dx will be, that or some mixed state of depression/bipolar II. How long did it take you to be accurately dxed? and what was your med history like up to Lamictal? and what have your "symptoms" been? thanks.
> Katia
Hi Katia,Actually, from the word go (a little over three years ago) I knew that my depression wasn't run of the mill.When I took my first AD (fluoxetine)I experienced wild mood swings, euphoria,awful anger,panic, etc. etc.Unfortunately, my responses to every other AD I tried (without a mood stabilizer) were equally unpleasant-effexor was the worst, Remeron the least offensive, although my moods were still off the wall.
I had excellent results with Sam-e for a while, but again, no mood-stabilizer, eventual mixed state response.
It would take too long to detail every treatment option I've tried, suffice it to say that basically, the only things I've yet to try are the MAOI's and AP's.
The information I'd gleened from this board, and from other posters with similar responses led me believe I was somewhere on the BP side of things, although my GP was unconvinced-until that is, I went into full blown hypomania on Zoloft.
My initial diagnosis was 'double depression', but my psych. at the time conceded that I 'might' be BP 11.I think he agreed this, just to keep me happy!!
Actually, I've given up attaching too much importance on my diagnosis-I don't care to pin labels on myself, I'm only concerned about what works.
My new psych. however, does believe me to be BP11, and once I'd experienced stability on Lamictal, and began to react 'normally' to antidepressants, this was confirmed.
Best,
Col.
poster:colin wallace
thread:99976
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030604/msgs/231568.html