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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Alice on February 12, 2000, at 21:53:32
I was just wondering if it is ok to donate blood while taking antidepressants? Also, since my doctor put me on Topomax, is it likely that he thinks that I am bipolar? Or do people take Topomax simply as a regular antidepressant? Thanx, and I hope all readers of Psycho Babble are doing well! :)
Posted by Karen on February 12, 2000, at 22:49:06
In reply to Wondering about a couple of things....., posted by Alice on February 12, 2000, at 21:53:32
> I was just wondering if it is ok to donate blood while taking antidepressants? Also, since my doctor put me on Topomax, is it likely that he thinks that I am bipolar? Or do people take Topomax simply as a regular antidepressant? Thanx, and I hope all readers of Psycho Babble are doing well! :)
Most ADs are okay to donate blood on-just call the blood bank before you go in and ask about the particular ones you`re taking. The weird thing is, they always ask "do they control your symptoms?" No , none of them do, that`s why I keep trying new ones, but I`m depressed, not crazy, when they ask that I always feel like they think I`m going to freak out in the middle of the blood draw!
Posted by Noa on February 12, 2000, at 23:55:37
In reply to Re: Wondering about a couple of things....., posted by Karen on February 12, 2000, at 22:49:06
> > Also, since my doctor put me on Topomax, is it likely that he thinks that I am bipolar? Or do people take Topomax simply as a regular antidepressant?
Some people do take mood stabilizers for unipolar depression. Some doctors conceptualize some depressions as being in the bipolar "family" or spectrum, if they are recurrent/cyclical and of the "atypical features" variety, like the depressive episodes in manic depression. Apparently it isn't uncommon for someone with a cyclical type of depression to have relatives who are bipolar. In my own case, it is a bit of a stretch, but I do have suspicions that my mother's brother might have been bipolar II. My depression is "atypical" and cyclical, and I seem to be responding to lithium. But I have never had any manic episodes. Ask your doctor to explain his thinking about the meds he recommends. Ask what his thinking is about your symptoms. Do you feel comfortable enough with him to do that? You shouldn't have to be guessing what his diagnosis is.
BTW, is the Topomax working?
Posted by Alice on February 13, 2000, at 23:00:02
In reply to Re: Wondering about a couple of things....., posted by Noa on February 12, 2000, at 23:55:37
> > > Also, since my doctor put me on Topomax, is it likely that he thinks that I am bipolar? Or do people take Topomax simply as a regular antidepressant?
>
> Some people do take mood stabilizers for unipolar depression. Some doctors conceptualize some depressions as being in the bipolar "family" or spectrum, if they are recurrent/cyclical and of the "atypical features" variety, like the depressive episodes in manic depression. Apparently it isn't uncommon for someone with a cyclical type of depression to have relatives who are bipolar. In my own case, it is a bit of a stretch, but I do have suspicions that my mother's brother might have been bipolar II. My depression is "atypical" and cyclical, and I seem to be responding to lithium. But I have never had any manic episodes. Ask your doctor to explain his thinking about the meds he recommends. Ask what his thinking is about your symptoms. Do you feel comfortable enough with him to do that? You shouldn't have to be guessing what his diagnosis is.
>
> BTW, is the Topomax working?
Thanks Karen & Noa....Karen, I wonder why they ask you if the AD's are "controlling all symptoms" of depression? I can see how it might make you feel like they might be thinking you were crazy or unstable or something. If someone asked me that while I was donating blood I would tell them it was none of their business!! *S* Take care....
Noa, the fact that my grandmother is bipolar did seem to be a factor in my doc's decision to put me on the Topomax, now that you mention it. Is the "atypical" depression the same as the "melancholic" depression"? I was reading up about that type of depression last night, and it sounds like it could be what I have. The Topomax does seem to be helping to stabilize my mood swings. I feel more in control of myself. Last year sometime, I stupidly went off all medications because I didn't like my doctor & didn't want to return to him (now I have a new doctor that I like.) During that time I used to have episodes of chaotic behavior, and the littlest things would send me into rages. I would smash things up, destroy the apartment, yell, scream. When I wasn't acting that way, I was sullen, very depressed, quiet, barely speaking, and I had a crying episode at least once a day. The third part to my disease is horrible, horrible anxiety. I will worry about anything, everything. I always find it so funny, when I go back on meds, the same exact things I was worrying so much about seem like nothing....it's like somebody turning on a light switch in a dark, shadowy room, and seeing that a looming black figure is really just a coat hanging on the door, or something like that...*s*. Anyways, the Prozac & Topomax dosage I am on now seem to have made a huge improvement for the time being. My husband has noticed a huge difference! I am actually bearable to live with again, although, my anxiety still keeps me awake now & again. Sometimes I will take 1 or 2 of my husband's Trazadone when that happens. I am thinking of asking my doc for a script of that as well, as I used to be on it with pretty good results. Hope you are doing well also, and thanks for the response! *S*
--Alice
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