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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by David1717 on August 30, 2002, at 20:16:48
Hi everybody:
I was diagnosed with cyclothymia in 1986 and really didn't mind the mood swings. In fact, I thought they were normal and for the most part they actually helped me in my career and social life. The creative highs were great in my line of work and also helped me in social situations. Even the lows were okay because I became reflective and philosophical. But now I have found that at age 45 if at any point I become bored the swings are fast and furious. I will swing from high to normal to low about 7 times a day. Right now I am a little low so my thoughts are slowed. I didn’t experience this type of “thought blocking” or “word finding” until just recently.
I find the inability to think frustrating and frightening. Anybody else find that they have difficulty in thinking or experience mood swings up to 7 times in one day? Additionally, if I drink alcohol, the next day I insanely crave vinegar and salt. Any thoughts?
By the way, I am not on any meds and have done well in life until now. I am a currently unemployed litigation clerk and I feel the boredom is driving these mood swings. Thanks for any comments, people.
Posted by sleepy lizard on August 30, 2002, at 21:47:55
In reply to Frequency of Mood Swings, Vinegar?, posted by David1717 on August 30, 2002, at 20:16:48
Sorry you are having so much trouble. Do you think your blood sugar is also swinging up and down with your mood? I have never heard of cyclothymia before, however I am moody. Stimulation seems to help. This may sound funny, but have you tried the vinegar and salt potato chips? Someone at work gave me one just to see the expression of surprise on my face.
Posted by Ritch on August 30, 2002, at 23:49:46
In reply to Frequency of Mood Swings, Vinegar?, posted by David1717 on August 30, 2002, at 20:16:48
> Hi everybody:
>
> I was diagnosed with cyclothymia in 1986 and really didn't mind the mood swings. In fact, I thought they were normal and for the most part they actually helped me in my career and social life. The creative highs were great in my line of work and also helped me in social situations. Even the lows were okay because I became reflective and philosophical. But now I have found that at age 45 if at any point I become bored the swings are fast and furious. I will swing from high to normal to low about 7 times a day. Right now I am a little low so my thoughts are slowed. I didn’t experience this type of “thought blocking” or “word finding” until just recently.
>
> I find the inability to think frustrating and frightening. Anybody else find that they have difficulty in thinking or experience mood swings up to 7 times in one day? Additionally, if I drink alcohol, the next day I insanely crave vinegar and salt. Any thoughts?
>
> By the way, I am not on any meds and have done well in life until now. I am a currently unemployed litigation clerk and I feel the boredom is driving these mood swings. Thanks for any comments, people.
>Hi,
Alcohol withdrawal (the day after) may be tinkering with(lowering) the seizure threshold through altered blood serum electrolyte balance of sodium and calcium ions. There may likely be a connection there with the salt cravings the next day. Also the altered electrolyte balance may be triggering increased mood cycling (through reduction of the seizure threshold). That may explain why alcohol can aggravate mood cycling.
theories aplenty everyday,
Mitch
Posted by David1717 on August 31, 2002, at 0:15:34
In reply to Re: Frequency of Mood Swings, Vinegar? » David1717, posted by Ritch on August 30, 2002, at 23:49:46
Hey Thanks Mitch. Strangely enough, I have a diagnosed electrolyte imbalance! I actually found out when my legs cramped so badly one day that I went to the hospital and I was told that my potassium was dangerously low. I never even gave that theory a thought.
Good job and thanks for the info.
David
Posted by BarbaraCat on August 31, 2002, at 15:30:44
In reply to Re: Frequency of Mood Swings, Vinegar?, posted by David1717 on August 31, 2002, at 0:15:34
Hey David,
You have GOT to try a product called Gookinaid. It's an electrolyte replacement powder to be mixed in water. It creates an ionic balance that allows for easier absorption and transport of calcium/magnesium/potassium into the cells. Alcohol is very dehydrating, and water alone may not be 'wet' enough to to rehydrate, and on it's own doesn't replace electrolytes. I stumbled upon Gookinaid in a health food store and have been a convert ever since. It's the only thing that's helped with my leg cramps. Plus it tastes great (especially the Fruit Punch). And please, don't even think about Gatorade or the others - they're not in the same ballpark. Check out the website at www.gookinaid.com. - BarbaraCat> Hey Thanks Mitch. Strangely enough, I have a diagnosed electrolyte imbalance! I actually found out when my legs cramped so badly one day that I went to the hospital and I was told that my potassium was dangerously low. I never even gave that theory a thought.
>
> Good job and thanks for the info.
>
> David
Posted by David1717 on August 31, 2002, at 15:56:47
In reply to Re: Frequency of Mood Swings, Vinegar? » David1717, posted by BarbaraCat on August 31, 2002, at 15:30:44
Hi Barbara and thanks:
You wont believe this but I have been using Gatorade for years. In fact, as i was reading you re post I had a bottle of Gatorade in my hand and began to laugh. You people on this board are highly intelligent, knowledgable and very warm.
I am going to the mall right now, they have a GNC there. If they don't have it I'll use the web site you offered.
Thanks again, Barbara
Warmests personal regards,
David
Posted by BarbaraCat on August 31, 2002, at 16:00:44
In reply to Re: Frequency of Mood Swings, Thanks Barbara, posted by David1717 on August 31, 2002, at 15:56:47
Good luck with the Gook, David, and let me know how it works for you. - BarbaraCat
> Hi Barbara and thanks:
>
> You wont believe this but I have been using Gatorade for years. In fact, as i was reading you re post I had a bottle of Gatorade in my hand and began to laugh. You people on this board are highly intelligent, knowledgable and very warm.
>
> I am going to the mall right now, they have a GNC there. If they don't have it I'll use the web site you offered.
>
> Thanks again, Barbara
>
> Warmests personal regards,
>
> David
>
Posted by David1717 on August 31, 2002, at 16:29:53
In reply to Re: Frequency of Mood Swings, Vinegar? » David1717, posted by sleepy lizard on August 30, 2002, at 21:47:55
Thanks Sleepy:
I never did try the potato chip thing but I would have liked to see the expression on your face when you did. I don't think I have a blood sugar problem but I have an exam scheduled next week so I'll bring it to the doc's attention.
Thanks again, and watch those chips!
Warmest regards,
David
Posted by nikioct73 on September 3, 2002, at 18:04:44
In reply to Re: Frequency of Mood Swings, Vinegar? » sleepy lizard, posted by David1717 on August 31, 2002, at 16:29:53
FYI...cyclothymia has a high chance of turning into BP1 or BP2 as we age...
Posted by david1717 on September 5, 2002, at 14:39:20
In reply to Re: Frequency of Mood Swings, Vinegar? » David1717, posted by nikioct73 on September 3, 2002, at 18:04:44
Pleaseeeeeee,
Don't say that but I have read that there is a 30% chance that a cyclothemic will go they way of BP1 or 2!
Thanks for the heads up,
David
Posted by nikioct73 on September 5, 2002, at 16:08:56
In reply to Re: Frequency of Mood Swings, Vinegar? » nikioct73, posted by david1717 on September 5, 2002, at 14:39:20
sorry dave...but I know this to be true as for me my mood swings get worse every passing year,,,now if i'm not on med's it can be unbearable...whereas years ago I could kinda roll with it...oh well..good luck..
Posted by david1717 on September 5, 2002, at 19:01:35
In reply to Re: Frequency of Mood Swings, Vinegar? » david1717, posted by nikioct73 on September 5, 2002, at 16:08:56
I sure Hope things are working for you...Right, those swings can be hell and for years I did roll with them like you but over the past 3 months...unbelievable. Maybe just a temp thing.
My very best to you and I'll be more mindful because of your response.
Take care
Posted by nikioct73 on September 5, 2002, at 19:44:37
In reply to Re: Frequency of Mood Swings, Vinegar? » nikioct73, posted by david1717 on September 5, 2002, at 19:01:35
Thanks dave...its a 'one day at a time' thing..some times a moment at a time but iam working on it...take care.
Niki
Posted by BarbaraCat on September 6, 2002, at 19:07:52
In reply to Re: Frequency of Mood Swings, Vinegar? » david1717, posted by nikioct73 on September 5, 2002, at 16:08:56
This is true for me, also. It used to be I'd get a ripper every few years, then when I hit my 40's they really started in, increasing to a few times a year. Pretty soon it was like one long bad acid trip. I finally discovered that I was really BP2 and not unipolar depressed (not by any suggestion from my once in a blue moon pdoc visit, but from what I learned on this board) and since starting lithium I'm pretty even keel. Still get very depressed, and am working with the intense anxiety spells, but nothing like the no-amusement park ride of the past. - Barbara
> sorry dave...but I know this to be true as for me my mood swings get worse every passing year,,,now if i'm not on med's it can be unbearable...whereas years ago I could kinda roll with it...oh well..good luck..
Posted by nikioct73 on September 6, 2002, at 21:44:04
In reply to Re: Frequency of Mood Swings, Vinegar? » nikioct73, posted by BarbaraCat on September 6, 2002, at 19:07:52
yeah amusement park ride its not...you said Lithium keeps you on a even keel?....what about the swings???..I'm not trying to be critical..just looking for answers to my own crisis of sorts..I'm off med's and wondering what to try next...(big ole` sigh..) i really would like a miracle of sorts...but don't we all..well PowerBall is 80 something mil on Saturday...lol
niki
Posted by BarbaraCat on September 6, 2002, at 22:05:45
In reply to Re: Frequency of Mood Swings, Vinegar? » BarbaraCat, posted by nikioct73 on September 6, 2002, at 21:44:04
Lithium ain't perfect, but I don't descend down into the pits of hell the way I used to. I also don't get the frantic trying to do twenty things at once hyper swings. I've gone off meds quite a few times and was able to maintain for a whole year but then a major stressor hit and brought on a very bad mixed states episode, which I didn't know it for what it was, thinking it was good old depression. Gobbling large amounts of zoloft barely kept me afloat and I tried a few more ADs before hitting upon Remeron. It worked great then fizzled badly and it was only Lithium that perked it up again and gave me a semblance of a life. I'm currently on a high intensity therapeutic regime with a naturopath, getting intravenous vitamins and minerals twice a week. It's for my fibromyalgia, but I notice that it's been helping my mood and energy alot. As I said in another post, wouldn't it be hysterical if all this time we've been suffering from mood disorders because we can't properly assimilate nutrients?
As far as the lottery, sigh, I spend lovely moments lost in fantasy about how I'd use a bunch of millions. I'd say that 80% of the kind of stress that brings on an emotional crisis is financial. I don't care what people say, winning the lottery would solve ALL my problems.
> yeah amusement park ride its not...you said Lithium keeps you on a even keel?....what about the swings???..I'm not trying to be critical..just looking for answers to my own crisis of sorts..I'm off med's and wondering what to try next...(big ole` sigh..) i really would like a miracle of sorts...but don't we all..well PowerBall is 80 something mil on Saturday...lol
>
> niki
Posted by nikioct73 on September 7, 2002, at 9:56:19
In reply to Re: Frequency of Mood Swings, Vinegar? » nikioct73, posted by BarbaraCat on September 6, 2002, at 22:05:45
yeah the money would solve em all..but...I would still be me...a rich me..but me...and i have often thought about just that...i know that having no bills and the ability to pay any new ones off. I'd still have mental issuse's that no money could take care of..just less stressors in which to make things worse..
Posted by david1717 on September 7, 2002, at 19:27:29
In reply to Re: Frequency of Mood Swings, Vinegar? » nikioct73, posted by BarbaraCat on September 6, 2002, at 19:07:52
Thanks barbara and Niki:
I don't get depressed as you do but I go from hypomanic states and grand burts of creativity to lows completely stopping my thought process. The swings have increased after 40 as you said but the real change is this horrible "word finding" stuff. Hate it! Right now I am going on 6 days of this insane state where I can't form an intelligent thought. Unreal...oh well, we'll get through it, people. Can't spell in this state either...oh my!
Thanks again, and talk to you soon,
David
Posted by david1717 on September 7, 2002, at 19:29:34
In reply to Re: Frequency of Mood Swings, Vinegar? » nikioct73, posted by BarbaraCat on September 6, 2002, at 19:07:52
Thanks barbara and Niki:
I don't get depressed as you do but I go from hypomanic states and grand burts of creativity to lows completely stopping my thought process. The swings have increased after 40 as you said but the real change is this horrible "word finding" stuff. Hate it! Right now I am going on 6 days of this insane state where I can't form an intelligent thought. Unreal...oh well, we'll get through it, people. Can't spell in this state either...oh my!
Thanks again, and talk to you soon,
David
This is the end of the thread.
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