Posted by Optimist on February 27, 2005, at 15:59:47
In reply to Re: Parnate » Optimist, posted by ed_uk on February 27, 2005, at 12:02:55
> If you do decide to add lithium, I'd definitely suggest a very low dose eg. plasma conc 0.3-0.4. High doses are more useful as a treatment for mania and tend to be unpleasant.
That's what I would be aiming for... I've never had severe mood swings, so a lower dose would probably suit fine. The only thing I'd really worry about at lower doses would be acne since I am predisposed to it, although I have it under control at the moment for the first time in my life. :) I'm wondering if any of the supplements/drugs I'm on are helping in that regard. The last few months I've had good skin.
> Probably schizoaffective disorder, bipolar sub-type.
Yeah probably, she was prescribed lithium in the summer during an especially psychotic period. She did not want to take it though since she was pregnant at the time. The biggest reason she wouldn't taken it is probably due to it's negative connotation with it's use in bipolar. It sounds a lot worse than what it really is. Personally I think Zyprexa is a much harsher drug.
>
> >I've been called a Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde by my current girlfriend. :)
>
> Why does she call you that? I bet you aren't as irritable as me!My personality can be very flat, quiet, and introverted during my depressive phases. I also tend to have more mood reactivity especially when I have some caffeine in me then. Other times when I'm feeling better I can be much more charasmatic, exciting, sexual, social, etc... so I bet it can be confusing for her at times. She has said that I would be a different person everytime she saw me. Perhaps that's how well the depression was fighting through at that particular time, or the mood reactivity associated with atypical depression. I find it hard to self evaluate sometimes. Whatever may seem normal to me, may seem moody to others so who knows.
My pdoc doesn't think I have any form of bipolar though since I don't have much variation in sleeping from when I'm depressed to when I'm feeling better. I can never feel rested after 3 hours sleep, not even after 5 or 6 during either period. I usually require between 8 and 10 hours depending on the day.
Brian
poster:Optimist
thread:460810
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050227/msgs/464119.html