Posted by KaraS on March 18, 2005, at 2:26:49
In reply to Re: Need help with Diagnosis..., posted by jasmineneroli on March 18, 2005, at 1:16:27
> Hi Ttime:
> Just came into this discussion a bit late.
> However, wanted to let you know that you have extremely similar symptoms to me. Including the impatience/irritability etc..
> My dx is severe GAD. So I would concur with those posters who suggest GAD.
> My symptoms have varying degrees of impact upon me. It certainly changes often, sometimes day to day, sometimes every couple of weeks or months.
> It's definitely related to 1) sleep 2) life stress and 3) hormone fluctuations (I'm female).
>
> I often feel I've got things pretty well under conrol and feel almost "great" for weeks or months, and then I "relapse" again...often quite gradually.
>
> The only thing that helps the physical anxiety and generally calms me, is Klonopin, which I take everyday in low dose (.5mg). At the moment I also take (by prescription -in Canada) 1gr Tryptophan daily. This combo seems to work alright as long as my life is in order and I sleep OK. Sleep has long beeen an issue, and often the stress and lack of sleep go hand in hand.
>
> I have tried the following drugs over the years: Paxil, Effexor, Remeron, Amitryptiline, Ativan, Moclobemide, Buspar and Celexa. I've had two separate trials of Celexa, first alone, and more recently with Klonopin. I've also tried several sleep medications added on to the SSRI's. (Like Zopiclone and one of the hypnotic benzo's- but the name escapes me right now!).
> The most effective drug combo was Celexa + Klonopin, however, I couldn't tolerate the side effects of Celexa (sexual dysf., insomnia, jaw clenching, neck stiffness and headaches). I also found it to be very effective for anxiety with ruminations at first, then to wear off as it induced depression.
>
> At the moment, after a period of prolonged stress and poor sleeping, I've begun the a.m. lethargy, irritabilty sequence again. It's now lasting further into the day too. At my Pdoc's yesterday, he said I'm starting to get into a depression (which happens periodically, after the anxiety state). So he's upped my tryptophan dose to 1500mg. We'll see if it helps!!!
>
> My Pdoc is adamant that I don't have any of the Bipolar forms. Even though my energy and mood "cycles" and I get "manic" phases where I just go-go-go and get loads done and talk fast etc.
> He asked me if I feel euphoric or "unbeatable" and like I can handle anything/conquer the world, when I'm in those states. I told him I just feel "driven", I "must get things done" and that most of the time I'm not happy or giddy or enjoying it particularly. I basically feel like I've been switched on "max"!!!!
> This, he said, is the reason why he doesn't consider me BP. It's not true mania, it's just peaking generalized anxiety adrenaline pushing me.
>
> You might want to consider that.
>
> I also believe I have a bit of OCD thrown in.....more the "c" part of OCD. The compulsions, I believe, are part of mt atempts to control my anxiety and soothe myself. I'm not sure that it would be classed as true OCD or OCPD, or an occasional coping mechanism.
>
> Sorry to be so long. I'm the world's worst poster...just go on and on......! I hope some of the rambling has helped though, ask any questions you like! I recommend you continue to research as much as poss, then go to your doc armed with info, opinions and people's experiences!
> Take care
> Jas
Jas,
Sounds like your pdoc is using the old guidelines for bioplar illness (BPI?) to judge your case by. It seems like a lot of doctors are now calling cycles with slight agitation a version of bipolar illness. I get some times where I'm more agitated and can't sleep. My doctor thinks I may have a soft bipolar condition because of this. I have no mania or eurphoria whatsoever. I don't even feel driven. I've read of many other posters who have had this same kind of diagnosis. Who knows whether this new line of thinking is correct. I'm assuming that if I have some luck with mood stabilizers that it will be some confirmation of the diagnosis. At any rate, I think it's good to be aware that different doctors can diagnose the same situation quite differently.K
poster:KaraS
thread:470832
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050317/msgs/472358.html