Posted by Lucia Francisca on December 13, 2005, at 23:59:44
In reply to Re: topamax and loss of creativity? » Lucia Francisca, posted by tarabara on December 13, 2005, at 23:35:59
Hi tarabara. I'm actually in the humanities, literature, specifically in an English department studying American literature.
Yeah, I've been thinking a lot about how bipolar II and mood swings play and have played a role in my life. I've been on Seroquel for about a month and a half now. I really feel like getting my hypomania under control could have a positive effect on my life. My hypomania seems to be characterized by highs where I do feel good, but I also have times when I'm totally irritable, argue with my husband over nothing, and can't sleep for like 3 days and feel awful night and day. I think research says now that hypomania is not just feeling great, it can have this dysphoric aspect to it too.
I don't know if you've seen this site about Topamax. Dr. Ivan Goldberg seems like a pretty good, reliable resource: <http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.topiramate.html>;.
Gosh, I totally know what you mean about teaching and needing to be "on"! I took a quarter off during grad school cuz I had a lot of depression and anxiety and felt I just needed some time to recuperate. Then, I took 2 quarters off from teaching to study for my qualifying exams, cuz I didn't feel I could teach and prepare for that stressful event at the same time. I passed my exams, thankfully. I just finished teaching 2 classes this semester--whoohoo! But I have anxiety about starting to teach another class next semester. Teaching can make me nervous, can it make you? I think it's the performance anxiety; getting up in front of college students is not easy. What field are you in?
I hope your meds work out for you, and the teaching goes well next semester. All the best to you and good luck. Keep in touch. Lucia
> oh goodness, we do have so much in common. are you in the social sciences? i sometimes feel like i get 2 weeks worth of work done in 2 days just synthesizing stuff.
>
> topamax is also a mood stabilizer/anti-convulsant. have you checked out all of the off label uses for this stuff? i don't know what i have started to take. one thing that i am concerned about is the "stupid" effects during titration. i need my wits about me. i took this semester off because of some ptsd treatment that surprised me with it's impact on my life. i start teaching again next semester and i REALLY need my wits about me. how long have you been on your mood stabilizer?
poster:Lucia Francisca
thread:588797
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051211/msgs/588885.html