Posted by Cybele on March 7, 2006, at 13:40:27
I've had a cyclic dysthymia (atypical depression) since I was 13 (am 44 now), which has only become major depressions a few times in my life after a period of extended life stress. My primary depression symptoms are difficulty concentrating and a flat mood. Previous family docs/therapists just called it dysthymia with double depression after extended periods of life stress. My current PDOC DX me with the sort of soft bipolar where you have only experienced hypomania in reaction to a medication. My half-sister has BP-I and takes Lamictal.
Here's my chronological history with antidepressants.
PAXIL: Took it 11 years ago for 6 weeks, made me feel much worse. Could not concentrate at all.
WELLBUTRIN: Took it after Paxil, initial hypomania seemed to help kick-start my recovery. Took it for a year. Felt great, but made a lot of positive changes in my life which may have helped more.
PREGNANCY: Had absolutely no problems with depression for the 4 years I was pregnant or breastfeeding
WELLBUTRIN: Tried it again 6 years ago for dysthymia, initial hypomania was milder than first time. Discontinued it after a month or so because I felt like I didn't need it. Felt fine for 3 years (exercised 5x a week), then another period of extended stress and tried it again. No hypomania, but I did have terrible Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and zero REM latency (would start dreaming as soon as my head hit the pillow). Tired of being sleepy and went off of it.
EFFEXOR: Tried it 2 years ago for dysthymia. Gained 20 pounds in 5 months even though I was not eating significantly more and I was exercising 5x a week. May or may not have helped mood. Exercise probably helped the most. Ffelt the same went I went off of it. No withdrawal problems at all.
LAMICTAL: Started seeing PDOC 8 months ago for double depression. He had me try LAMICTAL and I took it for 6 weeks. It made me feel increasingly angry, and even rageful at times. Mild improvement in ability to concentrate, but not enough to justify feeling angry all the time. Klonopin was my friend.
CYMBALTA: Took for 4 months. Felt significant improvement in ability to concentrate after 4 weeks. Double depression lifted. However, it caused Excessive Daytime Sleepiness. Provigil helped only a little. This is the only AD that I can say has truly helped with my depression; however, due to the sleepiness, I could not get anything done and stopped working out (too sleepy) and gained even more weight. I doubt I could have held down a job. (I am a stay at home mom.) No withdrawal problems at all.
Have been off all antidepressants for 2-1/2 months. Dysthymic feeling has been slowly creeping back. PDOC wants me to try another mood stabilizer. Possible weight gain is NOT an option.
Anyone have any thoughts on meds I might research before talking to my PDOC?
poster:Cybele
thread:617057
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060304/msgs/617057.html