![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JohnX2 on January 31, 2002, at 16:59:49
Well, I'm pretty close to finishing tapering off
my Klonopin after replacing it with Topamax. I
had some wild rebound mania which could be either
the Topamax or the Klonopin tapering. Leaning towards
the Klonopin tapering inducing this.Anyways, I'm feeling as though the Topamax may be
what I was thinking it would initially be for me;
a Klonopin replacement. i.e. a med with stabilizer
properties and really good fixes for my myofacial pain.
Also, it seems to open doors for me to try other meds
that triggered weird emotional states or myofacial pain.So, if I finish this Klonopin tapering, and I settle
down into a bit of a dysphoric state (aren't I positive),
I need to decide what to do next
(and discuss this at my next pdoc meeting).Here is my current med regimen:
Lamictal 150 mg
Klonopin 1 mg
Topamax 400 mg
Zyprexa 10 mgIn the past I got robust and tolerable AD responses
from Wellbutrin and Zoloft, but they were fleeting
(this was pre Topamax) and triggered myofacial
pain. I did find the meds good for my psychomotor agitation.
I tried Zoloft twice. Before Klonopin it gave severe
myofacial pain and emotional flattening, with Klonopin
it seemed to work Ok, but I aborted the experiment
(don't remember why). Klonopin did not releive Wellbutrin
myofacial pain, but Topamax did in a quick trial.I also tried bumping my Lamictal dose to 300 mg and
this gave me myofacial pain and bizarre emotional numbing.
This was also pre Topamax.So it seems Topamax is alleviating quite nicely some
sort of strange neurological quirk. I would hope this
may also alleviate the emotional numbing and
any potential for triggering of additional myofacial
pain if I do add on an AD.So what to do next? I was thinking the 1st thing may
be to retest the 300 mg Lamictal dose and see if I
can get a response in light of the addition of Topamax?
Seems the most sense not to add new meds first.
I still wonder what was so secret about 300 mg of
Lamictal??? I do OK on 150-225 mg. Its just at 300 mg
in the past that I would get a weird myofacial pain
and emotional blunting.If this stinks, maybe revisit Wellbutrin or Zoloft?
My primary complaints (if they return after this
mania binge) are psychomotor agitation, lack of interest,
hypersomnia. I think these are typical bipolar ii
downer symptoms.Any thoughts? I hate to try new meds at this point and
would rather try old meds that I could stand quickly
1st to see what would happen given that Topamax is
fixing a neurological tick.Thanks for any feedback.
-John
Posted by Mr. Scott on January 31, 2002, at 22:07:21
In reply to what to do next? add on AD or more stabilizers?, posted by JohnX2 on January 31, 2002, at 16:59:49
>
> Well, I'm pretty close to finishing tapering off
> my Klonopin after replacing it with Topamax. I
> had some wild rebound mania which could be either
> the Topamax or the Klonopin tapering. Leaning towards
> the Klonopin tapering inducing this.
>
> Anyways, I'm feeling as though the Topamax may be
> what I was thinking it would initially be for me;
> a Klonopin replacement. i.e. a med with stabilizer
> properties and really good fixes for my myofacial pain.
> Also, it seems to open doors for me to try other meds
> that triggered weird emotional states or myofacial pain.
>
> So, if I finish this Klonopin tapering, and I settle
> down into a bit of a dysphoric state (aren't I positive),
> I need to decide what to do next
> (and discuss this at my next pdoc meeting).
>
> Here is my current med regimen:
>
> Lamictal 150 mg
> Klonopin 1 mg
> Topamax 400 mg
> Zyprexa 10 mg
>
> In the past I got robust and tolerable AD responses
> from Wellbutrin and Zoloft, but they were fleeting
> (this was pre Topamax) and triggered myofacial
> pain. I did find the meds good for my psychomotor agitation.
> I tried Zoloft twice. Before Klonopin it gave severe
> myofacial pain and emotional flattening, with Klonopin
> it seemed to work Ok, but I aborted the experiment
> (don't remember why). Klonopin did not releive Wellbutrin
> myofacial pain, but Topamax did in a quick trial.
>
> I also tried bumping my Lamictal dose to 300 mg and
> this gave me myofacial pain and bizarre emotional numbing.
> This was also pre Topamax.
>
> So it seems Topamax is alleviating quite nicely some
> sort of strange neurological quirk. I would hope this
> may also alleviate the emotional numbing and
> any potential for triggering of additional myofacial
> pain if I do add on an AD.
>
> So what to do next? I was thinking the 1st thing may
> be to retest the 300 mg Lamictal dose and see if I
> can get a response in light of the addition of Topamax?
> Seems the most sense not to add new meds first.
> I still wonder what was so secret about 300 mg of
> Lamictal??? I do OK on 150-225 mg. Its just at 300 mg
> in the past that I would get a weird myofacial pain
> and emotional blunting.
>
> If this stinks, maybe revisit Wellbutrin or Zoloft?
>
> My primary complaints (if they return after this
> mania binge) are psychomotor agitation, lack of interest,
> hypersomnia. I think these are typical bipolar ii
> downer symptoms.
>
> Any thoughts? I hate to try new meds at this point and
> would rather try old meds that I could stand quickly
> 1st to see what would happen given that Topamax is
> fixing a neurological tick.
>
> Thanks for any feedback.
>
> -JohnAre you currently hypomanic?
After you're totally stabilized I'd go Wellbutrin route if you need an AD and it worked in the past.
However, I would exhaust completely ALL stabilizer options and combo's first.Scott
Posted by JohnX2 on February 2, 2002, at 20:21:55
In reply to Re: what to do next? add on AD or more stabilizers? » JohnX2, posted by Mr. Scott on January 31, 2002, at 22:07:21
Scott,
The hypomania has petered out over the
past few days. I'm actually ping ponging between
euthymia and hypomania with my latest Zyprexa
dosing bump and klonopin tapering. I actually feel
pretty good after a bit of an initial crash which prompted
the 1st post.My pdoc is having me to up the Zyprexa
dose again to 15 mg. I didn't really think of this option.
He told me at my appointment that he felt I was in
the best shape he had ever seen me (It just happened
to be the 1st day I felt euthymic).Regards,
John> Are you currently hypomanic?
>
> After you're totally stabilized I'd go Wellbutrin route if you need an AD and it worked in the past.
> However, I would exhaust completely ALL stabilizer options and combo's first.
>
> Scott
Posted by Mr. Scott on February 3, 2002, at 12:59:05
In reply to Re: what to do next? add on AD or more stabilizers? » Mr. Scott, posted by JohnX2 on February 2, 2002, at 20:21:55
John,
Can you describe for me a bit what hypomania feels like, and how you know you had/have it?
Thanks,
Scott
> Scott,
>
> The hypomania has petered out over the
> past few days. I'm actually ping ponging between
> euthymia and hypomania with my latest Zyprexa
> dosing bump and klonopin tapering. I actually feel
> pretty good after a bit of an initial crash which prompted
> the 1st post.
>
> My pdoc is having me to up the Zyprexa
> dose again to 15 mg. I didn't really think of this option.
> He told me at my appointment that he felt I was in
> the best shape he had ever seen me (It just happened
> to be the 1st day I felt euthymic).
>
> Regards,
> John
>
> > Are you currently hypomanic?
> >
> > After you're totally stabilized I'd go Wellbutrin route if you need an AD and it worked in the past.
> > However, I would exhaust completely ALL stabilizer options and combo's first.
> >
> > Scott
Posted by JohnX2 on February 4, 2002, at 16:44:48
In reply to Re: what to do next? add on AD or more stabilizers? » JohnX2, posted by Mr. Scott on February 3, 2002, at 12:59:05
Well, I seem to get into different types of
hypomanic episodes. Most do not accompany
euphoria, grandiose thinking, etc. These are
mixed states where I feel kinda empty, but have trouble
falling asleep, have substantial psychomotor
agitation, have pressured speech, have a lack
of interest in things, trouble multitasking.
This is very common, but is not what has been
happening lately. Lately I had been full blown
manic which has settled somewhat into hypmanic.What has been going on lately is as follows.
I labeled the ones that I considered
part of my full blown manic episodes and
not part of my hypomanic epsisodes.- wild euphoria (Manic)
- mild euphoria (Hypomanic)
- pressured speech
- substantial increase in goal directed activities
- increased socializing (walking up to random
strangers and intiating conversations).
- trouble sleeping
- gobs of energy
- megalomania thought patterns (grandiouse thoughts)
- racing thoughts (tangential thoughts)
- confrontational attitude
- increased self esteem
- bizzare affinity to omnipotent forces (Manic)
- paranoia/feelings of conspiracies (Manic)Regards,
John> John,
>
> Can you describe for me a bit what hypomania feels like, and how you know you had/have it?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Scott
>
>
> > Scott,
> >
> > The hypomania has petered out over the
> > past few days. I'm actually ping ponging between
> > euthymia and hypomania with my latest Zyprexa
> > dosing bump and klonopin tapering. I actually feel
> > pretty good after a bit of an initial crash which prompted
> > the 1st post.
> >
> > My pdoc is having me to up the Zyprexa
> > dose again to 15 mg. I didn't really think of this option.
> > He told me at my appointment that he felt I was in
> > the best shape he had ever seen me (It just happened
> > to be the 1st day I felt euthymic).
> >
> > Regards,
> > John
> >
> > > Are you currently hypomanic?
> > >
> > > After you're totally stabilized I'd go Wellbutrin route if you need an AD and it worked in the past.
> > > However, I would exhaust completely ALL stabilizer options and combo's first.
> > >
> > > Scott
Posted by petters on February 5, 2002, at 0:51:40
In reply to Re: what to do next? add on AD or more stabilizers? » Mr. Scott, posted by JohnX2 on February 4, 2002, at 16:44:48
>
> Well, I seem to get into different types of
> hypomanic episodes. Most do not accompany
> euphoria, grandiose thinking, etc. These are
> mixed states where I feel kinda empty, but have trouble
> falling asleep, have substantial psychomotor
> agitation, have pressured speech, have a lack
> of interest in things, trouble multitasking.
> This is very common, but is not what has been
> happening lately. Lately I had been full blown
> manic which has settled somewhat into hypmanic.
>
> What has been going on lately is as follows.
> I labeled the ones that I considered
> part of my full blown manic episodes and
> not part of my hypomanic epsisodes.
>
> - wild euphoria (Manic)
> - mild euphoria (Hypomanic)
> - pressured speech
> - substantial increase in goal directed activities
> - increased socializing (walking up to random
> strangers and intiating conversations).
> - trouble sleeping
> - gobs of energy
> - megalomania thought patterns (grandiouse thoughts)
> - racing thoughts (tangential thoughts)
> - confrontational attitude
> - increased self esteem
> - bizzare affinity to omnipotent forces (Manic)
> - paranoia/feelings of conspiracies (Manic)
>
> Regards,
> John
>
> > John,
> >
> > Can you describe for me a bit what hypomania feels like, and how you know you had/have it?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Scott
> >
> >
> > > Scott,
> > >
> > > The hypomania has petered out over the
> > > past few days. I'm actually ping ponging between
> > > euthymia and hypomania with my latest Zyprexa
> > > dosing bump and klonopin tapering. I actually feel
> > > pretty good after a bit of an initial crash which prompted
> > > the 1st post.
> > >
> > > My pdoc is having me to up the Zyprexa
> > > dose again to 15 mg. I didn't really think of this option.
> > > He told me at my appointment that he felt I was in
> > > the best shape he had ever seen me (It just happened
> > > to be the 1st day I felt euthymic).
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > > John
> > >
> > > > Are you currently hypomanic?
> > > >
> > > > After you're totally stabilized I'd go Wellbutrin route if you need an AD and it worked in the past.
> > > > However, I would exhaust completely ALL stabilizer options and combo's first.
> > > >
> > > > Scott
Hi...Probably the Zyprexa is not enough for you. You need adding Lamictal or Topamax or Litium, to you current regime.
Best Wishes...//Petters
Posted by JohnX2 on February 5, 2002, at 20:27:39
In reply to Re: what to do next? add on AD or more stabilizers?, posted by petters on February 5, 2002, at 0:51:40
Petters,My cocktail is:
Lamictal 150 mg
Topamax 400 mg
Zyprexa 15 mg
Klonopin 1 mgI've maxed out Topamax and am pushing the
envelope on Zyprexa. The Zyprexa increase is
helping.I would be interested to see what a Lamictal
increase would do, but in the past increasing
the dose beyond 225 mg has done weird things
to me.My pdoc has tried to push Lithium on me but
I have always wanted to stay away from it except
as a last resort. I feel that I can take medicines
without side effects or the posibilities of messing
up my organs. Am I being too stubborn about this?Regards,
John
> >
> > Well, I seem to get into different types of
> > hypomanic episodes. Most do not accompany
> > euphoria, grandiose thinking, etc. These are
> > mixed states where I feel kinda empty, but have trouble
> > falling asleep, have substantial psychomotor
> > agitation, have pressured speech, have a lack
> > of interest in things, trouble multitasking.
> > This is very common, but is not what has been
> > happening lately. Lately I had been full blown
> > manic which has settled somewhat into hypmanic.
> >
> > What has been going on lately is as follows.
> > I labeled the ones that I considered
> > part of my full blown manic episodes and
> > not part of my hypomanic epsisodes.
> >
> > - wild euphoria (Manic)
> > - mild euphoria (Hypomanic)
> > - pressured speech
> > - substantial increase in goal directed activities
> > - increased socializing (walking up to random
> > strangers and intiating conversations).
> > - trouble sleeping
> > - gobs of energy
> > - megalomania thought patterns (grandiouse thoughts)
> > - racing thoughts (tangential thoughts)
> > - confrontational attitude
> > - increased self esteem
> > - bizzare affinity to omnipotent forces (Manic)
> > - paranoia/feelings of conspiracies (Manic)
> >
> > Regards,
> > John
> >
> > > John,
> > >
> > > Can you describe for me a bit what hypomania feels like, and how you know you had/have it?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Scott
> > >
> > >
> > > > Scott,
> > > >
> > > > The hypomania has petered out over the
> > > > past few days. I'm actually ping ponging between
> > > > euthymia and hypomania with my latest Zyprexa
> > > > dosing bump and klonopin tapering. I actually feel
> > > > pretty good after a bit of an initial crash which prompted
> > > > the 1st post.
> > > >
> > > > My pdoc is having me to up the Zyprexa
> > > > dose again to 15 mg. I didn't really think of this option.
> > > > He told me at my appointment that he felt I was in
> > > > the best shape he had ever seen me (It just happened
> > > > to be the 1st day I felt euthymic).
> > > >
> > > > Regards,
> > > > John
> > > >
> > > > > Are you currently hypomanic?
> > > > >
> > > > > After you're totally stabilized I'd go Wellbutrin route if you need an AD and it worked in the past.
> > > > > However, I would exhaust completely ALL stabilizer options and combo's first.
> > > > >
> > > > > Scott
>
>
> Hi...
>
> Probably the Zyprexa is not enough for you. You need adding Lamictal or Topamax or Litium, to you current regime.
>
> Best Wishes...//Petters
Posted by Ponder on February 24, 2002, at 15:43:31
In reply to Re: what to do next? add on AD or more stabilizers? » petters, posted by JohnX2 on February 5, 2002, at 20:27:39
This thread has been helpful regarding symptoms of hypomania. I've been bipolar all my adult life, was misdiagnosed with recurrent depression, in part because I did not recognize hypomanic symptoms. I thought all that agitation and "driven-ness" was anxiety, but didn't want to take anything that might make me sleepy because I was always playing catch-up at work for those depressive episodes which involved horrible fatigue and hypersomnia (thus, lack of productivity).
Anyway, regarding medications... I'm currently on Lamictal 150, Wellbutrin SR 400, Ambien 10 at night, and Ativan as needed. Lamictal has been the only drug to which I have ever responded convincingly. I've been on it for about 6 months. Lately I've been experiencing agitation, especially in response to going to places where there are many people, like the theater where I volunteer to sell tickets. I also experience indecisiveness, a tendency to compulsive behaviors-- like computer games, calculating and recalculating my budget, that sort of thing. I am wondering if Topamax might be a good add-on and have been encouraged by John's comments. Any input? Thanks.
BTW, I am no longer working. A surprisingly successful career obliterated by AD-induced mixed states that finally crashed into a two-year depression. Lamictal is the first stabilizer I've been on and has been an enormous help at 150 mg/day --less is bad, more is bad, 150 is good.
Posted by Ritch on February 24, 2002, at 17:02:17
In reply to Anxiety or Hypomania?, posted by Ponder on February 24, 2002, at 15:43:31
> This thread has been helpful regarding symptoms of hypomania. I've been bipolar all my adult life, was misdiagnosed with recurrent depression, in part because I did not recognize hypomanic symptoms. I thought all that agitation and "driven-ness" was anxiety, but didn't want to take anything that might make me sleepy because I was always playing catch-up at work for those depressive episodes which involved horrible fatigue and hypersomnia (thus, lack of productivity).
>
> Anyway, regarding medications... I'm currently on Lamictal 150, Wellbutrin SR 400, Ambien 10 at night, and Ativan as needed. Lamictal has been the only drug to which I have ever responded convincingly. I've been on it for about 6 months. Lately I've been experiencing agitation, especially in response to going to places where there are many people, like the theater where I volunteer to sell tickets. I also experience indecisiveness, a tendency to compulsive behaviors-- like computer games, calculating and recalculating my budget, that sort of thing. I am wondering if Topamax might be a good add-on and have been encouraged by John's comments. Any input? Thanks.
> BTW, I am no longer working. A surprisingly successful career obliterated by AD-induced mixed states that finally crashed into a two-year depression. Lamictal is the first stabilizer I've been on and has been an enormous help at 150 mg/day --less is bad, more is bad, 150 is good.Hi Ponder,
I would suggest backing off the Wellbutrin some. I mood chart my bipolar and keep track of all my dosages on a spreadsheet and watch the trends. I have been able to tolerate Wellbutrin less and less as my seasonal bipolar depression has lifted and now I am looking at very intense hypomanias in April and May. Just an opinion, but when it comes to bipolar I think you need to look at what you can *reduce* before you think of what to add-on. I think Topamax is a good anti-manic agent. Some folks get unremitting *brain fog* from it, some don't. Try dropping your WB down to 300mg/day from 400mg and see if the *anxiety* lightens up a bit.
good luck,
Mitch
Posted by JohnX2 on February 25, 2002, at 0:28:34
In reply to Anxiety or Hypomania?, posted by Ponder on February 24, 2002, at 15:43:31
Sorry to be brief.
I just typed a nice long post and lost it. crap.Anyways, I would try the topamax add on. I added
it to lamictal with no cognitive decline. it has
gaba benzo like effects. I asked others if they
tried this combo, and I am the only one. I think
the lamictal by stabilizing glutamate transmission
removes any stupidity from a lot of medicines.
this has also worked for serzone. I tried it
a while ago pre lamictal and it made me so dizzy
and drowsy that i crashed my car. This time i have
no cognitive decline at all. It seems to make sense
when you consider the fact that lamictal guard
bands glutamate transmission levels, which are
responsible for cognition. I think this helps
to "stabilize" other medicines.Anyways I'm a lamictal 150'er for life too, so
maybe we are connected some how. ;)Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
-John
> This thread has been helpful regarding symptoms of hypomania. I've been bipolar all my adult life, was misdiagnosed with recurrent depression, in part because I did not recognize hypomanic symptoms. I thought all that agitation and "driven-ness" was anxiety, but didn't want to take anything that might make me sleepy because I was always playing catch-up at work for those depressive episodes which involved horrible fatigue and hypersomnia (thus, lack of productivity).
>
> Anyway, regarding medications... I'm currently on Lamictal 150, Wellbutrin SR 400, Ambien 10 at night, and Ativan as needed. Lamictal has been the only drug to which I have ever responded convincingly. I've been on it for about 6 months. Lately I've been experiencing agitation, especially in response to going to places where there are many people, like the theater where I volunteer to sell tickets. I also experience indecisiveness, a tendency to compulsive behaviors-- like computer games, calculating and recalculating my budget, that sort of thing. I am wondering if Topamax might be a good add-on and have been encouraged by John's comments. Any input? Thanks.
> BTW, I am no longer working. A surprisingly successful career obliterated by AD-induced mixed states that finally crashed into a two-year depression. Lamictal is the first stabilizer I've been on and has been an enormous help at 150 mg/day --less is bad, more is bad, 150 is good.
Posted by ~Alii~ on May 6, 2003, at 13:53:42
In reply to Re: Anxiety or Hypomania? » Ponder, posted by Ritch on February 24, 2002, at 17:02:17
>>>Hi Ponder,I would suggest backing off the Wellbutrin some. I mood chart my bipolar and keep track of all my dosages on a spreadsheet and watch the trends. I have been able to tolerate Wellbutrin less and less as my seasonal bipolar depression has lifted and now I am looking at very intense hypomanias in April and May. Just an opinion, but when it comes to bipolar I think you need to look at what you can *reduce* before you think of what to add-on. I think Topamax is a good anti-manic agent. Some folks get unremitting *brain fog* from it, some don't. Try dropping your WB down to 300mg/day from 400mg and see if the *anxiety* lightens up a bit.
good luck,
Mitch<<<
Mitch,Do you use any codes for your spreadsheets to facilitate their use? I've been fiddling with one in Excel and am not having much luck putting together the exact things I need in this chart. I'm copying off of the one adapted from Sachs, G (1996): J. Clin. Psychopharm. 16:2 (suppl 1) p47S
It is a rather common mood chart but given the advantages of having one on the pc as well as the written version gives me a better chance at getting this information together for the doctors since not a one of them has a clue right now as to what the heck is going on with my moods/sleep/health in general. Bleck.
Roundabout way of asking you if you use Excel and if so do you have your chart finely tuned?
Thank you.
~alii
Posted by Ritch on May 7, 2003, at 10:22:51
In reply to reagarding your mood charting..... » Ritch, posted by ~Alii~ on May 6, 2003, at 13:53:42
>
> >>>Hi Ponder,
>
> I would suggest backing off the Wellbutrin some. I mood chart my bipolar and keep track of all my dosages on a spreadsheet and watch the trends. I have been able to tolerate Wellbutrin less and less as my seasonal bipolar depression has lifted and now I am looking at very intense hypomanias in April and May. Just an opinion, but when it comes to bipolar I think you need to look at what you can *reduce* before you think of what to add-on. I think Topamax is a good anti-manic agent. Some folks get unremitting *brain fog* from it, some don't. Try dropping your WB down to 300mg/day from 400mg and see if the *anxiety* lightens up a bit.
> good luck,
> Mitch<<<
>
>
> Mitch,
>
> Do you use any codes for your spreadsheets to facilitate their use? I've been fiddling with one in Excel and am not having much luck putting together the exact things I need in this chart. I'm copying off of the one adapted from Sachs, G (1996): J. Clin. Psychopharm. 16:2 (suppl 1) p47S
>
> It is a rather common mood chart but given the advantages of having one on the pc as well as the written version gives me a better chance at getting this information together for the doctors since not a one of them has a clue right now as to what the heck is going on with my moods/sleep/health in general. Bleck.
>
> Roundabout way of asking you if you use Excel and if so do you have your chart finely tuned?
>
> Thank you.
>
> ~alii
>Hi, I used to use Excel and got very detailed with it. My computer crashed and I lost it, so I went back to using desk calendars! Basically, I just use pluses and minuses to indicate peaks and troughs of mood, and write down my meds/dosages, and add verbal comments like "irritable", etc. The most stable stretches have the least comments. :)
Posted by ~Alii~ on May 7, 2003, at 11:23:42
In reply to Re: reagarding your mood charting..... » ~Alii~, posted by Ritch on May 7, 2003, at 10:22:51
Posted by Katia on May 7, 2003, at 14:10:46
In reply to reagarding your mood charting..... » Ritch, posted by ~Alii~ on May 6, 2003, at 13:53:42
Wow! A very practical organized masculine way of doing things! My "chart" is on bits of torn paper here andthere! It's just good I've saved them over the years. My therapist recommended that I start one, it sounds like a good idea on excel. Can you really pull up trends/reports on your mood levels? How do you do that?
thanks.
Katia> >>>Hi Ponder,
>
> I would suggest backing off the Wellbutrin some. I mood chart my bipolar and keep track of all my dosages on a spreadsheet and watch the trends. I have been able to tolerate Wellbutrin less and less as my seasonal bipolar depression has lifted and now I am looking at very intense hypomanias in April and May. Just an opinion, but when it comes to bipolar I think you need to look at what you can *reduce* before you think of what to add-on. I think Topamax is a good anti-manic agent. Some folks get unremitting *brain fog* from it, some don't. Try dropping your WB down to 300mg/day from 400mg and see if the *anxiety* lightens up a bit.
> good luck,
> Mitch<<<
>
>
> Mitch,
>
> Do you use any codes for your spreadsheets to facilitate their use? I've been fiddling with one in Excel and am not having much luck putting together the exact things I need in this chart. I'm copying off of the one adapted from Sachs, G (1996): J. Clin. Psychopharm. 16:2 (suppl 1) p47S
>
> It is a rather common mood chart but given the advantages of having one on the pc as well as the written version gives me a better chance at getting this information together for the doctors since not a one of them has a clue right now as to what the heck is going on with my moods/sleep/health in general. Bleck.
>
> Roundabout way of asking you if you use Excel and if so do you have your chart finely tuned?
>
> Thank you.
>
> ~alii
>
Posted by Ritch on May 8, 2003, at 0:53:24
In reply to Re: reagarding your mood charting....., posted by Katia on May 7, 2003, at 14:10:46
I'm not sure if you are asking Alii about this or me, but I was thinking about setting up formulas in there, but it turned into a big hassle and all I wound up doing was recording med dosages and using a number for my mood and that was about it. I've found the desk calendars superior to the computer over the long haul. When you know it only takes a minute to fill that one out and you don't have to try to use some sort of macro you find it is easier to comply with the charting :). Besides the dosages of the meds, everything else is subjective anyhow. Another advantage to desk calendars is they are already printed out.....
> Wow! A very practical organized masculine way of doing things! My "chart" is on bits of torn paper here andthere! It's just good I've saved them over the years. My therapist recommended that I start one, it sounds like a good idea on excel. Can you really pull up trends/reports on your mood levels? How do you do that?
> thanks.
> Katia
>
> > >>>Hi Ponder,
> >
> > I would suggest backing off the Wellbutrin some. I mood chart my bipolar and keep track of all my dosages on a spreadsheet and watch the trends. I have been able to tolerate Wellbutrin less and less as my seasonal bipolar depression has lifted and now I am looking at very intense hypomanias in April and May. Just an opinion, but when it comes to bipolar I think you need to look at what you can *reduce* before you think of what to add-on. I think Topamax is a good anti-manic agent. Some folks get unremitting *brain fog* from it, some don't. Try dropping your WB down to 300mg/day from 400mg and see if the *anxiety* lightens up a bit.
> > good luck,
> > Mitch<<<
> >
> >
> > Mitch,
> >
> > Do you use any codes for your spreadsheets to facilitate their use? I've been fiddling with one in Excel and am not having much luck putting together the exact things I need in this chart. I'm copying off of the one adapted from Sachs, G (1996): J. Clin. Psychopharm. 16:2 (suppl 1) p47S
> >
> > It is a rather common mood chart but given the advantages of having one on the pc as well as the written version gives me a better chance at getting this information together for the doctors since not a one of them has a clue right now as to what the heck is going on with my moods/sleep/health in general. Bleck.
> >
> > Roundabout way of asking you if you use Excel and if so do you have your chart finely tuned?
> >
> > Thank you.
> >
> > ~alii
> >
>
>
Posted by Katia on May 8, 2003, at 2:57:11
In reply to Re: reagarding your mood charting....Katia?, posted by Ritch on May 8, 2003, at 0:53:24
Hi,
thanks for the advice. I'm just lucky if Ican follow through with ANY recording of my moods!
katia
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