Posted by HappyGirl on December 25, 2003, at 13:30:30
In reply to Bipolar or PMDD? « Casey P. Thompson, posted by Dr. Bob on December 24, 2003, at 16:18:41
Hi:
In my knowledge, PMDD is more likely 'depressive' symptoms that include irritability/mild anger spell along with sadness and loneliness. PMDD is said to be easily controlled by anti-dep. only, like Zoloft.
On the otherhand, Bipolar has two poles that is one for depressive and another for manic episodes. In Bipolar, there are classified roughly, three different form of Bipolar, one is severe form, caled Bipolar I, such as psychosis/ delusional spells along with spending spree, hyper-sexuality and some more annoying manic symptoms. Bipolar II has hypomanic that is much milder form of manic, ... like all-night cleaning urge, over-productive activities, and other non-destructive mania. Last one, is Bipolar 3/cyclothemia(sp?) is very close to 'milder form of depression' that easily control by taking Lithium and small dosage of other mood-stailizer.
If your pdoc.'s dx as Bipolar, you need to take both mood-stabilizer and anti-depressant to stabilize Bipolar.
In regard to Lamical, this med. has a reputation of getting 'rash'/steve-Johnson"(if my recollection is correct,...), then most of time, a pdoc. started very low-dosage and move up very slowly, like over one and a half months' period. Then, it might be in your case. Also, as having started taking Lamical just last week, you need to give it some more time to get positive results. However, if this med., Lamical does not work even three more weeks, you may need to call to see the pdoc.
H.G.
poster:HappyGirl
thread:293179
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031225/msgs/293348.html