Posted by Frustratedmama on May 31, 2009, at 9:05:31
Hi!
I am trying to figure out if my recent experience was a mixed episode..... feelings of intense rage, anger, internal energy, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, a feeling of being extremely "out of contol" of my own behaviors, and anhedonia. The only thing that seemed to calm it down was verapamil which is supposed to help more with the manic stage of bi-polar and has helped some. Now that the verapamil is working (yay!) I am feeling a bit "down" and sad (but MUCH better than I did before). I am not sure if this is considered a mixed episode and since I have never had any sense of euphoria my current diagnosis is mood disorder, nos vs bipolar. So my questions are:"WAS THIS A MIXED EPISODE?"
"IF YOU HAVE A MIXED EPISODE DOES THAT CHANGE DIAGNOSIS TO BIPOLAR DISORDER?" (FROM WHAT I COULD TELL IT DOES BUT NOT SURE....) "IF YOU HAVE EVER HAD A MIXED EPISODE DID YOU NEED A MOOD STABILIZER PLUS AN ANTIDEPRESSANT? JUST WONDERING BECAUSE THE ANTIDEPRESSANTS MADE THINGS WORSE FOR ME BEFORE - BUT THAT WAS WITHOUT THE VERAPAMIL IN PLACE"I am asking for clarification because my child has an autism spectrum disorder and I am following her moods very closely right now and I know genetics plays a big role in her future. I should add that my pdoc is wonderful (listens to me- will try anything to help me feel better and doesn't let me suffer through debilitating side effects. He also referrred me to alternative doctors, specialists, etc., all in an attempt to find out how to help me)! However, he focuses more on what works to help me feel better than what the "label" is so I am trying to find out on my own...... Any thoughts appreciated!
Thanks! fmPS Please don't tell me to just ask my pdoc- I have done that and although he is fantastic- he doesn't always give me a clear answer on this one..... Maybe to keep my anxiety down, who knows, but I am not going to "rock the boat" since he has been so helpful with everything else. Plus, I know there are a ton of knowledegeable people right here who can answer this one well :) THANKS PBABBLERS! YOU ARE ALL SUCH COMPASSIONATE AND SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE- I WOULDN'T BE HERE WITHOUT YOU!
poster:Frustratedmama
thread:898603
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090531/msgs/898603.html