Posted by wendy b. on December 3, 2002, at 21:51:04
In reply to Anyone tell me about Bipolar II?, posted by Greg A. on November 28, 2002, at 13:12:34
Hi Greg,
I haven't written to you in a while, but have listened (read) with interest and sympathy about your treatments, and the problems with co-workers. Let me say about the latter: they will never get it, though statistically 15% of them or so are probably depressed - it takes strength and an open mind to confront the possibility that one might have a... (eek!) mental illness.
I am so sorry you are fighting the depression so hard, and that it's worn you down so much. I am not currently suicidal, but I certainly have experienced the "downside" of bipolar. My therp thinks that is what I have (was diagnosed about 20 months ago), i.e., not ever going up into the truly manic phases, but sinking down into the lowest of the low on the other end of the scale. This is bipolar as well... welcome to the club.Let me say, I think the new dx is probably right. What you describe with the irritability and the talkativeness and the energy sounds like hypomania to me, and something like what they call "mixed states," where your depression is agitated: you are thinking depressed thoughts, yet you are "high" to some extent. I think that might be your system's reaction to the upswing that the ECT gave you. Cuz, as I remember, at first you were feeling it was doing you some good. Your posts certainly sounded brighter. Maybe (and I have read NOTHING on this, a medline search is probably in order) the ECT works similarly to the anti-depressants, in other words, pushes what may be a latent bipolar tendency up to the brink, as it were... You may want to post over on the meds board about this, too, since there are people there (Mitch?) who are much more conversant with these things. Although I can see why you posted it here, too.
Medication-wise, I've heard the Lamictal is good, keep going with it. You can do Neurontin along with it (it kept the irritability at bay for me, though I had to tweak the doseage several times, start low and slow...), and I'm on that and 400 mg Wellbutrin SR a day. I'm sorry, but I don't remember if you've ever tried Wellbutrin... It is doing a good job for me.
Anyway, I wonder if you've read any web sites about bipolar and its symptoms? If so, let me know which ones - I've got a bunch bookmarked. And the links on Dr Bob's page are a good start, too...Please write back and let me know how it's going - I can also give you my e-mail addy if you want. I know how tough it is for you right now, so just sit tight and we'll help you weather this...
my very best to you,
Wendy
> My doc has just decided I may be BPII rather than 'just' depressed. I have very recently completed a series of ECT treatments to try to get out of a depression that was no longer responding to meds. The ECT seemed to put me into a hypomanic state where I was more talkative and had more energy, but still felt depressed and hopeless. My doc asked me if I found I was irritable when in this state and i certainly am. Temper tantrums and so on. Not good for a 50 year old father of 2 teenagers. I have started on Lamictal - very slowly - but have had no indication of benefit as yet. The hypomanic state seems to have passed and I can feel my energy ebbing along with a desire to avoid people. The depressed part seems to have been continuous but the low is particulary pronounced this time. Lots of suicidal thoughts.
> I have checked out symptom and treatment info for BP II but wondered if any of you might add from your own experiences or knowledge on what to look for in symptoms or treatment options?
>
> Thanks,
> Greg A.
poster:wendy b.
thread:1693
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20021109/msgs/1710.html