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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by guttersnipe on June 26, 2004, at 23:35:20
Hi folks,
Wonder if a few of you might share your experiences/thoughts as to what works best for bipolar that seems to usually involve dysphoric hypomania or agitated depression (wherever one draws a line between the two ...). Pretty sure it's type II, for whatever that's worth, because my only episodes involving hallucination or delusion were either during period when heavy drug abuse might have contributed to the psychotic features, or when being on SSRI/SSNRI without any mood stabilizer might have caused or contributed to the psychotic features (back when the diagnosis was unipolar depression plus GAD -- based upon a constellation of symptoms which, no thanks to my shrinks who did no screening for bipolar, I later learned are identical to a bipolar mixed state or dysphoric hypomania/agitated depression ... which the anti-depressants definitely exacerbated).
I've been reading up and although every individual reacts differently to meds, it seems that Lamictal might be the best med for mixed states (which would describe much of the past 20 years if I were fully manic for non-drug/med-related reasons, rather than hypomanic)? Much obliged for whatever info yall can provide.
Posted by Maxime on June 27, 2004, at 8:15:56
In reply to what works best for BP II w/dysphoric hypomania?, posted by guttersnipe on June 26, 2004, at 23:35:20
I get a dysphoric hypomania prior to my full manic episode (although sometimes it stops at hypomania) and I find Trileptal has been the best so far. I had read that Tegretol was good but when I tried I couldn't take the side effects and Trileptal is Tegretol's oxygenated cousin (it's Tegretol with an extra oxygen atom to it).
This is an excellent document to help you out:
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/moodstabilizers.htm#symptomsMaxime
> Hi folks,
>
> Wonder if a few of you might share your experiences/thoughts as to what works best for bipolar that seems to usually involve dysphoric hypomania or agitated depression (wherever one draws a line between the two ...). Pretty sure it's type II, for whatever that's worth, because my only episodes involving hallucination or delusion were either during period when heavy drug abuse might have contributed to the psychotic features, or when being on SSRI/SSNRI without any mood stabilizer might have caused or contributed to the psychotic features (back when the diagnosis was unipolar depression plus GAD -- based upon a constellation of symptoms which, no thanks to my shrinks who did no screening for bipolar, I later learned are identical to a bipolar mixed state or dysphoric hypomania/agitated depression ... which the anti-depressants definitely exacerbated).
>
> I've been reading up and although every individual reacts differently to meds, it seems that Lamictal might be the best med for mixed states (which would describe much of the past 20 years if I were fully manic for non-drug/med-related reasons, rather than hypomanic)? Much obliged for whatever info yall can provide.
>
Posted by Mike634 on June 27, 2004, at 19:26:23
In reply to what works best for BP II w/dysphoric hypomania?, posted by guttersnipe on June 26, 2004, at 23:35:20
Lamictal has worked very well for me in reducing mixed states. A low dose of zyprexa (5mg) has also been part of the mix. If you are well stabilized with your meds, an antidepressent (wellbutrin is supposedly the best) can be added to treat depressive symptoms, the risk is of switching to hypomania and mixed states
Posted by guttersnipe on June 29, 2004, at 4:50:08
In reply to what works best for BP II w/dysphoric hypomania?, posted by guttersnipe on June 26, 2004, at 23:35:20
Posted by SLS on June 29, 2004, at 17:15:36
In reply to what works best for BP II w/dysphoric hypomania?, posted by guttersnipe on June 26, 2004, at 23:35:20
> Hi folks,
>
> Wonder if a few of you might share your experiences/thoughts as to what works best for bipolar that seems to usually involve dysphoric hypomania or agitated depression (wherever one draws a line between the two ...). Pretty sure it's type II, for whatever that's worth, because my only episodes involving hallucination or delusion were either during period when heavy drug abuse might have contributed to the psychotic features, or when being on SSRI/SSNRI without any mood stabilizer might have caused or contributed to the psychotic features (back when the diagnosis was unipolar depression plus GAD -- based upon a constellation of symptoms which, no thanks to my shrinks who did no screening for bipolar, I later learned are identical to a bipolar mixed state or dysphoric hypomania/agitated depression ... which the anti-depressants definitely exacerbated).
>
> I've been reading up and although every individual reacts differently to meds, it seems that Lamictal might be the best med for mixed states (which would describe much of the past 20 years if I were fully manic for non-drug/med-related reasons, rather than hypomanic)? Much obliged for whatever info yall can provide.
>
Hi.I don't think Lamictal is as good for true mixed states as is Depakote. Generally, Depakote is a stronger drug against mania.
Good luck.
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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