Posted by lillabelle on June 8, 2003, at 11:18:34
In reply to Ron, Re: Antidepressants and Bipolar Disorder?, posted by McPac on June 6, 2003, at 23:17:34
In my experience there are many kinds of manias and many degrees of manias, (especially for bipolar2's,which is me) and antidepressants in monotherapy, bring them on full blast. There is full blown euphoric mania, which I experienced to the max, years ago on 120mgs of nardil. At the time, and due to inexperience (I had no idea I was bipolar in fact had never really heard of it), I felt soooo great that I prolonged the 'ride'for two whole years! Obviously, my doc (not pdoc) was a quack as never seemed to notice but then she only saw me every 2 to 3 months at a time. In retrospect this mania almost killed me. I lost my job, my flat, many of my friends and to put it mildly my reason and sanity. Even years on I look back to that period and cringe. After that, and swearing off all psycho-meds my mood swings got worse. I experienced crippling depressions alternating with mild to severe hypomanias. In comparison to the 'lows' the 'highs' felt good, but in my humble opinion mania ,whether mild or severe is always destructive and should not be confused with healthy normal wellness and energy. Also along with the 'high'manias I began to have more irritable or dysphoric mania. Manias of rage, anger, irritability and racing thoughts. Observing that my moods seemed to be getting worse with age and because I still thought I suffered from depression only, having never been dxed, I asked my doc for an SSRI anti'd, which he readily handed out. Prozac gave me the worst dysphoric mania of my life, effexor worsened the mood swings sending me into compulsive spending sprees and unaccountable anger outbursts. Zoloft flattened me and made me hypomanic at the same time. Zoloft and wellbutrin combined sent me into major hypomania. I lost some 12 thousand bucks during the 6 months I endured this combo. and almost divorced my husband in the process. Then, on this board, I read about mood stabilizers other than lithium, (which I am adverse to taking due to side effect profile,) and I went for them. Gabapentin and topomax didn't work for lots of side effect reasons. Depakote and tegretol I really disliked. Finally I 'found'lamictal and it's a godsend. I've added serzone with no manias. I feel energetic but not manic. When I shop I take my time and guard my money. I don't develop outlandish ideas or run around like a chicken with it's head cut off. I'm not laughing one minute and shouting the next. I no longer abuse alchohol. It's not perfect, but for now it works. The moral of my story is I've learnt two important lessons. First, that mania is as destructive as depression, even mild hypomania and second, for bipolar's anti-d's without mood stabilizers worsen mood disorder and can have dangerous results. That's my story for now, take it as you will. As for the bio-chemistry, I'm an English major so am in the dark on the why's and wherefore's If anyone has a biochemical answer for my experiences I'd like to hear it. Best to all........... lillabelle
poster:lillabelle
thread:102831
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030604/msgs/232377.html