Posted by butternut on May 25, 2006, at 20:53:06
In reply to Re: First choice mood stabilizer? » butternut, posted by B2chica on May 24, 2006, at 11:28:35
Thanks for your thoughtful reply. He has not diagnosed me with it, but my current doc believes that PMDD is actually a bipolar illness that reveals itself due to the stress of hormonal changes. WHen I took Zoloft it supressed my PMS.
Thank you for the reminder that a family history is not a guarantee of illness. I have a very hard time letting go of that fear. My ill relatives (bipolar, schizophrenia) worsened with time and became pretty much non-functional--couldn't carry on relationships, work, have a hobby, etc.
I'd like to think that I'd manage my illness better, and so have a better prognosis, but who knows? Do you have a family history of mental illness? Does it frighten you or do you feel you are driven more by will than by genetics?Only my current doc suspects bipolar is a possiblity. Several docs over the years have blown off my fears of bipolar because I have never had a classic manic episode. It bothered me that they diagnosed me with panic disorder because I was not having attacks, more like a panic state with depersonalization that did not cease 24-7 for days until I could get a tranquilizer. In retrospect I wonder if these were/are my brain's version of mania or mixed episode.
I eventually stumbled onto a doctor who thought my anxiety had an OCD quality, and a zoloft-klonopin combo kept me very happy for many years. I went off due to weight gain, and struggled for a few years until I went back on it. I've again gained lots of weight. Afer also feeling apathetic and tired and clenching my jaw constantly, I weaned off two months ago.
I see the doctor next Wednesday and plan to ask for Lamictal. If he says no for some reason, I think my second choice will be Lithium.
poster:butternut
thread:647515
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060525/msgs/648611.html