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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by heaven help me on June 1, 2006, at 17:36:54
I don't know if I am psychotic. You asked me that after I posted that I take 120mg Geodon and am afraid of it. My diagnosis is BP2, presenting symptom insomnia but I have a long history of mood swings and having to "work real hard" when down to stay emotionally up (if you can even call that up). Dr. tried all sorts of AD, all made me sick or worse. Tried Zyprexa and I was a new person (in combo with Prozac) in so many ways. I had NO IDEA until then how sick I was. I was just compensating for everything. Mind over mind. So, because of weight gain I weaned off Zyprexa and am now on a Lamictal/Geodon combo. Does all that make me psychotic? I DON'T KNOW - But I SURE WOULD LIKE TO! What do you think? And if I am, what does that mean?
blessings
mary
PS: and if I'm not, maybe I should be on Lamictal alone???
PPS: sorry to anyone who is getting tired of these kinds of posts from me...
Posted by bipolarspectrum on June 1, 2006, at 18:03:49
In reply to AM I psychotic? - Linkadge anyone?...., posted by heaven help me on June 1, 2006, at 17:36:54
Hi,
In my opinion, you are not psychotic... psychosis is a very strong symptom of many different mental illnesses... i have never been psychotic so keep that in mind... but i understand that psychosis is a quite encapsulating and usually is quite obvious, voices, hallucinations, etc. if you've never experienced this, i have great doubt u are psychotic.. dont forget that Atypicals are used quite often these days for people without psychosis...
bps> I don't know if I am psychotic. You asked me that after I posted that I take 120mg Geodon and am afraid of it. My diagnosis is BP2, presenting symptom insomnia but I have a long history of mood swings and having to "work real hard" when down to stay emotionally up (if you can even call that up). Dr. tried all sorts of AD, all made me sick or worse. Tried Zyprexa and I was a new person (in combo with Prozac) in so many ways. I had NO IDEA until then how sick I was. I was just compensating for everything. Mind over mind. So, because of weight gain I weaned off Zyprexa and am now on a Lamictal/Geodon combo. Does all that make me psychotic? I DON'T KNOW - But I SURE WOULD LIKE TO! What do you think? And if I am, what does that mean?
> blessings
> mary
> PS: and if I'm not, maybe I should be on Lamictal alone???
> PPS: sorry to anyone who is getting tired of these kinds of posts from me...
Posted by Larry Hoover on June 1, 2006, at 18:08:37
In reply to AM I psychotic? - Linkadge anyone?...., posted by heaven help me on June 1, 2006, at 17:36:54
My advice is this: Don't reverse diagnose yourself. A drug helps you feel better or it doesn't. What another person might use the same drug for, has no bearing on you.
Mood swings. You have mood swings. The idea is to reduce the frequency, duration, and extent of your mood swings. You are using medication that can possibly give you what you seek.
You are not your illness. It does not define you.
The meds define you even less, still.
You are NOT psychotic. Whatever gave you that idea?
Lar
Posted by linkadge on June 1, 2006, at 20:36:42
In reply to Re: AM I psychotic? - Linkadge anyone?.... » heaven help me, posted by Larry Hoover on June 1, 2006, at 18:08:37
We don't have all the tools necessary to treat all forms of mental illness. We only have a limited number of tools. It is wrong for doctors to try and throw people into thse categories. Well, you must have either illness A, B or C. If you're not A, and not B, then you must be C. That type of thinking is wrong.
If Geodon is a necessary medication, then I suppose you need to take it. If you can get by on lesser, or safer meds then that would probably be advisable.
The newer antipsychotics have a number of effects. Some of the effects are likely responsible for application to psychosis, while others may be usefull in mood disorders.
In addition to the dopamine antagonism (which could cause problems if taken long term), Geodon has effects on 5-ht1a, 5-ht2a, 5-ht1d, and serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake, so it is really a broad spectrum drug. You're probably not psychotic, but it looks like to do have a hard to treat disorder, that is sensitive to one or more of the actions of antipsychotics. The atypical antipsychotics probably have application in mood disorders based on their actions at specific serotonin receptors like 5-ht1a, 5-ht2a ect.
You could experiment with atypical medications such as trazodone, buspar, periactin, remeron, tricylic ADs, feverfew, melatonin.
It can be tough to find a psychiatrist who is sensitive to some of these issues, and willing to work with patients to find safe solutions.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on June 1, 2006, at 21:47:43
In reply to AM I psychotic? - Linkadge anyone?...., posted by heaven help me on June 1, 2006, at 17:36:54
Mary you're not psychotic you watched the video above and realized you were taking a highter dose. Did you say once you were bipolar? E-mail me and we can talk. Love Phillipa
Posted by Bonnie_CA on June 2, 2006, at 2:48:33
In reply to AM I psychotic? - Linkadge anyone?...., posted by heaven help me on June 1, 2006, at 17:36:54
> > PPS: sorry to anyone who is getting tired of these kinds of posts from me...
Don't apologize for posting on here, it's what we're all here for. :D
Posted by SLS on June 2, 2006, at 9:19:13
In reply to AM I psychotic? - Linkadge anyone?...., posted by heaven help me on June 1, 2006, at 17:36:54
I agree with the others.
Neuroleptic antipsychotics like Geodon are not specific to psychotic disorders. They do various things in the body that are beneficial when treating other illnesses. Thus, these drugs do not define the illness being treated.
- Scott
Posted by heaven help me on June 2, 2006, at 10:12:42
In reply to Re: AM I psychotic? - Linkadge anyone?...., posted by SLS on June 2, 2006, at 9:19:13
nm
This is the end of the thread.
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