Posted by detroitpistons on January 17, 2006, at 10:16:20
In reply to Re: Med-induced hypomania? Crazy and hopeless » detroitpistons, posted by 4WD on January 16, 2006, at 21:18:57
Marsha,
The meds changing our brain chemistry issue does not make me feel good, to say the least...I just can't help but feel that my condition has changed because of them. A doctor would probably say that it's not the meds, that your condition is changing naturally, but my gut tells me that it's the meds. Regardless, what's done is done, and now I have to take more meds to treat my slowly deteriorating condition.
I know what you mean about being anhedonic. Paxil made me feel better for a short time, but I was mostly just numb...Very little emotion or feeling, and no happiness or joy. I didn't like that at all. Lexapro was a complete waste of time--virutally no effect. And now back to the Effexor, and it doesn't work even remotely as well as it did the first time.
When you said that you felt like you were on the verge of having a panic attack, but never quite having one, I could relate 110% because that's exactly the way I've felt recently. I think it's noteworthy to point out that the first time I ever felt that way, I was withdrawing from Paxil. I wonder if there's some sort of connenction.
I was also a very nervous kid. As I got older and my anxiety progressed, I'd become very irritable when my stress levels increased (due to school). This happened even after adolescence, while I was in college. I severely distressed relationships with certain people. I would get overly angry and irritable about things. I think I've always managed to salvage my important relationships, but I killed off other, less significant relationships. I would have thought that all of this is caused by GAD, and that my depression is anxiety driven, but I'm curious to see what my doctor says.
I'm not suggesting you're bipolar, but there is a very strong connection between anxiety and bipolar II. Anxiety can actually be a result of bipolar (or be a separate disorder). It's an interesting subject.
You really do HAVE TO GET YOUR HOPES UP. At least you have Klonopin to bail you out if all else fails. I know it doesn't cure everything, but it probably helps a lot. Besides, it makes perfect sense that Depakote could help you. You are in a hypomanic state, and Depakote is a mood stabilizer. What else could you ask for?
One last thing...in my post yesterday, I mentioned that I thought I was feeling better. Well, I've been taking Xanax, but yesterday I didn't take it in the morning. On my way home from work, mind started speeding out of control. I felt super depressed and anxious. It felt more like a mixed state. But then I got home, popped a xanax, and everything was fine. It seems like I feel the worst when I am by myself and I have nothing else to do but think (like when I'm in the car in the terrible Chicago traffic which also agitates me).
I don't feel bad all the time though. Do you? I'm curious.
Marc
> Marc,
>
> Well, it did all start when I started trying to switch from Effexor to a different AD. I was okay, anxiety wise, on Effexor but very lethargic and anhedonic. Just blank and no interest or joy in anything. So I switched to Paxil. Within two weeks, I was panicky. Like on the verge of a panic attack but never quite having one. Same scenario twice (tried to switch to Paxil again). Then back to Effexor again and okay again but still depressed. Then switched to Cymbalta and got panicky and terrified again. Finally went back to Effexor AGAIN but this time, the panicky fear feeling didn't go away. So switched to Celexa. Less depressed for a while but still having to take Klonopin for the fear and still scared even so.
>
> Finally increasing the Celexa from 10 to 20mg was the clincher. I got really really wired and flitting around. Very dysphoric at the same time.
>
> I don;t know. I do know I was always a nervous kid. I've been anxious all my life but never been manic or had cycles of any kind (unless induced by recreational drug use). This is all new to me.
>
> I know what you mean about feeling like your brain is permanently changed. I think the Effexor permanently changed my brain chemistry. I swore I'd never go back on it. I quit it half a dozen times and always ended up going back because it was the only one whose side effects I could tolerate.
>
> It is terribly scary to think that maybe our brains have been irreversibly changed.
>
> As for the Lamictal, I noticed some benefit after only about 2 weeks. It was very subtle but it was there. I was less anxious. Still anxious but not as bad and not having to take as much Klonopin. I didn't realize how much it was doing until I had to quit it and got worse again.
>
> I have to go ahead and get my hopes up. I HAVE to believe this is going to work. If I don't believe it will work, then it maybe won't. I have to believe in it to get through the next weeks. But I know what you mean. There have been so many disappointments in the last year or two. Still, I've found that expecting a negative result usually results in a negative result. That shouldn't be. It ought to work or not regardless of what I"m expecting but maybe I'm just awfully suggestible.
>
> Good luck. I hope the Lamictal is indeed the "answer" for you.
>
> Marsha
>
>
>
>
> > Marsha,
>
> > It definitely is weird that you just started having these symptoms. It seems like it must have something to do with the meds. At least in my case, it would make more sense because I'm only 27, and bipolar or hypomanic symptoms can take years to uncover. I've always had a sense that I'm a bit unstable or cyclical with respect my moods, but I always thought my main problems to be anxiety and depression.
> >
> > In case you haven't found out yet, med induced bipolarism is considered to be bipolar III, I believe.
> >
> > After I quit Paxil cold turkey (I know, very, very, very stupid thing to do--was at least 6 WEEKS of misery), I felt like something was changed permanently in my brain. I don't really know how to explain this...It's probably just paranoia. The bottom line is that I seem to get worse every year.
> >
> > Anyways, I'm on day 6 of Lamictal, I don't feel anything yet. I think the hypomania (or whatever it is) may be beginning to run it's own course as I am feeling slightly better. I've read that the mood stabilizing effects of Lamictal don't kick in until you're up to at least 100 mg, which, as you know, takes 5 weeks. I'm really hoping this is "the answer," although I know I shouldn't get too excited because it would set me up for a major letdown if it doesn't work.
> >
> > I heard that Depakote can work pretty fast. Are you feeling it yet? Hope you feel better.
> >
> > Marc
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > I'm going to see the doc on the 25th again, and I'm hoping he can explain more to me, but I have the sense that he may be just as confused as I am.
> >
> >
>
>
poster:detroitpistons
thread:596880
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060115/msgs/599939.html