Posted by Utopia on December 29, 2003, at 13:28:32
In reply to Cyclothymia or Bipolar? Need inspiration!!!!, posted by socks on December 29, 2003, at 10:52:40
Hi socks
If theres any one who understands what you're going through is me. I too have Ultra rapid cycling and have gone through years and years of failed medication regimens. The ups and downs will never be discribed adequately or understood adequately.
Before I launch into any experiences I might have had, please never give up hope. No matter how dark it looks and flattened you feel, there is always something that will help you. I just try and remind myself that my brain has intensified the problem 100 times and I must push on.
The meds you are taking are indicated for Rapid Cyclers, the Depakote stabilizes the cycling and the Welbutrin does not 'push' your mood around, as in from dpressed to euphoric or vice versa. This is bad.
With Cyclers, just an antidepressant does not work so a mood stabilizer like Depakote is VERY necessary.I have THREE mood stabilizers and two anti-depressants in my 'cocktail' (no-one said it was going to be easy)
Two weeks is early days on the Depakote and it's important that you hang in there and get to the therapeutic blood level suggested by your doctor a.s.a.p.
Hey, don't feel bad about being teary. You can allow yourself that indulgence. Depakote has that reputation at the beginning but when it eventually kicks in... you'd better hold on to your socks!
Rapid Cyclers are difficult to treat but not impossible. The pure and and only reason is that you have a sublimely sensitive brain. They eventually get us under control.
I hope it helped a little.
Post me if you need more info or to shoot the breeze.
poster:Utopia
thread:294284
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031225/msgs/294339.html