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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by blever on May 30, 2004, at 22:03:58
just wondering if anyone could offer some advice. im diagnosed bipolarII, and unofficially AD/HD. my doc says its absolutly necessary for me to be on a mood stabalizer along with my paxil cr(25mg), because sometimes im a rapid cycler. I HATE MOOD STABALIZERS, BEYOND DESCRIPTION. the only one i've tried (depakote, only 500 mg, and i only gave it a week) brought on the one of the worst depressions i've ever experienced. my pdoc then prescribed me lamictal, but i never took it. this was two months ago. since then, i've been rapid-cycling, although the crashes are not nearly as intense as they were before i started the depakote. (there have been a couple breif exceptions in the past 2 months, but they always pass). i've been manic/hypomanic alot lately - and i love that. rarely, i do have this horrible depressed, hyper-hyper ennergy, though.
i feel real lost, i guess. im tired of the chaotic mood swings - but i hate my blank, zombie-like self on mood stabalizers. people are confused by my ever-changing personality. sometimes i can't even muster a smile; other sometimes i'll be on a joke-cracking rampage.
i think im addicted to the highs. im not sure that i have a question, but if anyone can relate, and impart some advice, i'd REALLY APPRICIATE IT.
thanks lots, blever
Posted by Vanillintabaktöne on May 30, 2004, at 22:44:11
In reply to BIPOLAR QUESTION, posted by blever on May 30, 2004, at 22:03:58
Same Thing happened to me on Divalproex. And frankly Paxil will make the Zombie-like demenour more pronounced, and for me increased my irritabilty markedly. Frankly, I have no idea why ur pdoc put you on paxil.
Before I go any further. May I ask if you consume coffee...and also if you've ever tried any of the NE-specific antidepressants like desipramine,Imipramine, Welbutrin, reboxetine or the mixed Effexor?
Might I suggest you ask about Tenex or Catapres. And also consider taking an extended release or slow release formulation of Sodium Valproate like Epilim Chrono 500 mg instead.
Let me know about the previous question.
good luck.
Posted by Chairman_MAO on May 30, 2004, at 22:47:12
In reply to BIPOLAR QUESTION, posted by blever on May 30, 2004, at 22:03:58
First off, if you are cycling like this, your life is probably not too manageable, and thus you'd benefit from mood stabilization. That said, Lamictal is nothing like Depakote except that it's a Na+ blocker. I've taken Depakote, and know what you mean--except it landed me in the ER close to death (rare reaction)!
Lamictal is nothing like Depakote. I suggest you try it out; your psyche deserves the chance. Lamictal users describe it as activating, sometimes mood-brightening, and certainly not "zombifying". Try it on for size. After all, you can always stop taking it!
Best of luck.
Posted by rainbowlight on May 31, 2004, at 1:14:57
In reply to BIPOLAR QUESTION, posted by blever on May 30, 2004, at 22:03:58
I also do not like the zombie like feeling of mood stabilizers. However, Lamictal has been wonderful for me. I don't really "feel" it at all, except it takes the depression away and makes me level. I don't feel any kind of flattening effect from it at all.
Posted by blever on May 31, 2004, at 16:06:02
In reply to Re: BIPOLAR QUESTION » blever, posted by Vanillintabaktöne on May 30, 2004, at 22:44:11
thanks all, for the advice.
in response to your question, vanillinta - yes, i do drink lots and lots of lattes and dr pepper. why do you ask? also, paxil is the only antidepressant i've ever been on.
im not sure what "ne-specific" means. ?
would you reccomend them over paxil?
thanks. i appriciate your advice!
blever
Posted by Vanillintabaktöne on May 31, 2004, at 21:41:26
In reply to Re: BIPOLAR QUESTION, posted by blever on May 31, 2004, at 16:06:02
> thanks all, for the advice.
>
> in response to your question, vanillinta - yes, i do drink lots and lots of lattes and dr pepper. why do you ask? also, paxil is the only antidepressant i've ever been on.
>
> im not sure what "ne-specific" means. ?
>
> would you reccomend them over paxil?
>
> thanks. i appriciate your advice!
>
> bleverBy NE I mean Norepinephrine; specifically norepinephrine specific reuptake inhibitors. The ones I mentioned in my previous posts. Does coffee calm you down? Bipolars are sometimes dramatically calmed by caffeine or stimulants. And its not a zombie like calmness although some people report feeling "dorky" with stimulants. i am not suggesting you run out and obtain stimulants. Thats not a good idea to say the least. However, The fact that you drink so much coffee, and depending on whether the coffee [lattes] calm you, improve concentration etc. might either suggest that you might do alot better on Desipramine, Imipramine, Wellbutrin, Reboxetine or even a Slow release form of a Psychostimulant as an adjunct to your mood stabilizer. It might, although not conclusively suggest, the presence of Adult ADD/ADHD, which is not at all infrequent in bipolars.
My suggestion to you is to speak with your doctor. And do some research on Adult ADD.
You shouldn't have to be zonked everyday. Thats just not acceptable in this day and age. There is something out there that will work for you.
Again,
Goodluck.P.S. any other questions, please feel free to ask.
This is the end of the thread.
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