Posted by harryp on May 6, 2004, at 22:58:53
In reply to Lamictal madness?, posted by AMD on May 6, 2004, at 22:18:44
I really could relate to your post, I particularly like your plan:
> In fact, I'm seeing my pdoc tomorrow, and for once I'm going to dictate the allowed course of treatment: no AP's, no mood stablizers for now. If they want to switch my AD, or take me off an AD, OK. But we need to do one thing at a time, in a controlled fashion. Not up and add, add and up, drop this, start that in one- or two-week rotations.
Ha! Ha! That's EXACTLY what I had to do! (I was given a bogus Bipolar II diagnosis even though I had no episodes of hypomania). I spent some time in a horrible lobotimized state while my pdoc (who's really a well-meaning guy) optimistically gave me whatever vile AP or mood stabilizer the drug rep had brought in that day.
> I'm just worried all this stuff has permanently damaged by cognitive function and abilities. It's been so long since I felt normal (not drugged) that I don't even know if I'll recognize it when I see it.
>Don't worry, AP's are not known for being great for the brain, but short term use shouldn't do you any harm.
It sounds like you are really bipolar II. I wouldn't give a diagnosis of bipolar I unless there was truly insane mania involved--say, flying to the Vatican to give the Pope a secret plan for world peace, thinking you're an agent of God, spending your whole savings on a ridiculous business venture, etc.
I have heard that MAOI's can be effective in Bipolar II, particularly when combined with a mild MS like lamictal (which you might not even need). Parnate, in my experience and from what I have read, is one of the only AD's that doesn't mess with your cognition or creative abilities.
poster:harryp
thread:344045
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040505/msgs/344196.html