Posted by Tomatheus on June 27, 2015, at 15:39:11
In reply to Mania, med reactions, the DSMV + rapid cycling!, posted by brynb on June 27, 2015, at 12:06:58
Bryn,
It's good to see you posting here. It's nice to hear that you can say that you're doing "ok-ish," even though you're also indicating that you'd like to be doing quite a bit better. I can't say that I have a whole lot to offer you as far as medication suggestions are concerned. I know that you asked about trying Nardil some time ago, and I do think that Nardil (perhaps with some augmentation) still might be worth trying, although the problem with that would be that you'd have to stop taking much of what you're currently taking and benefiting from. So, I can definitely understand if you wouldn't want to try the MAOI route. I think that Scott offered some interesting medication suggestions, which might be worth looking into if you haven't already tried them.
As far as ideas concerning what diagnosis might be most fitting for you are concerned, it's been a while since I've looked at the diagnostic criteria for mood disorders, but I tend to think that you'd likely fall somewhere into the bipolar spectrum based on what you've written about experiencing rapid cycling and manic symptoms with some medications. Having said what I've said, if depressive symptoms tend to dominate for you (and it sounds like they do), then I'm not convinced that adding large amounts of anti-manic medications would likely serve you well. Given what you wrote about your responses to mood stabilizers and antipsychotics, I tend to think that if another medication with anti-manic properties might benefit you, the benefits would probably be best with lower doses. But of course, I could be wrong.
So, I don't know how well I answered your questions, but I just wanted to write to say that I was glad to see your post here and also to give you a few ideas in response to the questions that you asked. I wish you the best in your ongoing pursuit of mental wellness.
Tomatheus
this signature | Show by default | Change to hide (next time)Has long-standing difficulties with energy and concentration, as well as psychotic and cognitive symptoms
poster:Tomatheus
thread:1080019
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