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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by hundredhugs on March 6, 2004, at 9:54:22
I am so frustrated! I told my pdoc that I didn't think the klonpine (at night) would help with the cycling that I am having. I am rapid cycling during the day. My sleep is off but not as bad as it could be. I can cycle even if I am sleeping. She apparently didn't want to change anything. I am on lamical and topomax for mood stabilizers and I just don't feel like the combo is working for me. I AM SO TIRED OF CYCLING! I keep going up up up. I have periods of "normalcy" inbetween, then crash. It is exhausting me. I max out my prn's. The risperdal brings me down but I can't take anyone of it (maxed out). I have been occasionally forgetting my morning meds which is typical of me when I start to cycle and she does want me to have a risperdal shot. At first I was opposed, now I am for it. I have about crossed the line from hypomania to mania a few times and would prefer not to completly cross it. I am disappointed with my pdoc and don't know what to do. I am tempted to call her. She mentioned the visit before last putting me on lithium. I didn't want to do it. Now I am miserable to do it. I don't know if I should ride this out for 2 weeks or call her or pray for the best. I don't think she will put me on another new med without seeing me, and I just seen her on yesterday.
Sorry I am rambling, just looking for answers.
Hundredhugs
Posted by Metalblade on March 6, 2004, at 12:48:46
In reply to I'm rapid cycling and my pdoc added klonopine p.m., posted by hundredhugs on March 6, 2004, at 9:54:22
Sounds like you are Bp1 by the way you’re talking. Do you get depressed too or just manic? You must be really bad if the risperdal only helps a little. I'm Bp2 and my crazy doctor put me on that stuff, I really does slow your mind down but that wasn't the direction I needed to be going in. Personally I think you should be taking one or both of the tried and true stabilizers, lithium and depakote.
Posted by HappyGirl on March 6, 2004, at 15:25:53
In reply to I'm rapid cycling and my pdoc added klonopine p.m., posted by hundredhugs on March 6, 2004, at 9:54:22
Hi:
I have some similarity to your condition, Bp II with ultra Rapid Cycler. Yes, ... cycling is 'pain in the neck,' but have to live with it, since cannot get rid of this.
In regard to the med. combo., Lamical is good for both, depressive side of Bp II and mood-stabilizer effect. Topamax is, in my knowledge, just add-on or maximize Lamical you've been on. Because, like yours and mine, Bp II with ultra rapid cycler is unfortunately 'resistence treatment' form of Bp. Also, risperdal is quite potent AP. In my case, I've been on Zyprexa that gives me tremendous relief for both, cycling and dysphoric mania/rageous form of manic I have due to the complexity of Bp II.
In my knowledge, Risperdal has as good effect as Zyprexa and another other APs, ... but this med. is more likely for schizophrenic form that has delusional and psychotic features. Thus, if there is NO existence of those two, then you may get other form of AP, such as Geodon, Ability, both of which has known to be a good anti-dep. effect also. Lithium is one of BEST mood-stabilizer, then your pdoc. is right on this. Why are you resisting to take Lithium? Lithium works very well with any of AP med., in my knowledge. However, I cannot be sure, because Lamical you've been on as seeing some of folks saying Lithium and Lamical just killing its effect each other.
It sounds like you're 'not long' to this, Bp, then there are some 'trials and errors' to find a right med. combo. In my suggestion, you need some patience along with a good faith to find a right med. combo. Also, you need to work with your attending pdoc. as best as you can, since the communication is one of best tools to search for a right med. combo.by team-working with her/him.
H.G.
Posted by alathea on March 6, 2004, at 15:46:19
In reply to I'm rapid cycling and my pdoc added klonopine p.m., posted by hundredhugs on March 6, 2004, at 9:54:22
> I am so frustrated! I told my pdoc that I didn't think the klonpine (at night) would help with the cycling that I am having. I am rapid cycling during the day. My sleep is off but not as bad as it could be. I can cycle even if I am sleeping. She apparently didn't want to change anything. I am on lamical and topomax for mood stabilizers and I just don't feel like the combo is working for me. I AM SO TIRED OF CYCLING! I keep going up up up. I have periods of "normalcy" inbetween, then crash. It is exhausting me. I max out my prn's. The risperdal brings me down but I can't take anyone of it (maxed out). I have been occasionally forgetting my morning meds which is typical of me when I start to cycle and she does want me to have a risperdal shot. At first I was opposed, now I am for it. I have about crossed the line from hypomania to mania a few times and would prefer not to completly cross it. I am disappointed with my pdoc and don't know what to do. I am tempted to call her. She mentioned the visit before last putting me on lithium. I didn't want to do it. Now I am miserable to do it. I don't know if I should ride this out for 2 weeks or call her or pray for the best. I don't think she will put me on another new med without seeing me, and I just seen her on yesterday.
>
> Sorry I am rambling, just looking for answers.
>
> HundredhugsSounds exactly like me, but my understanding was that if your manic eposodes make you go psychotic (ever) then you are BP1. I would not resist the Lithium idea, since my pdoc (and my experience) have both told me that topomax is little help for anything besides wieght loss. I don't know, if you feel like you are going "up up up," just because you have never been psychotic before doesn't mean it can't happen. Riding it out when you could take lithium and get some relief seems unnecessary and dangerous. I take tegratol, which is great, and lithium when that isn't holding me (like, uh, now). Good luck
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