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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by beachbum on October 22, 2007, at 7:13:20
cycling getting worse
biggest scare is I just had this 3 weeks ago for 9 days and when I got it again last week thought it would be short cause I just had it..going on 8 days again..tried to be 'calm' but am loosing it.
can't do this every 3 weeks I can't keep my job like this or my sanity
took effexor for 2 weeks would that make it worse...thinking maybe wellbutrin is making it worse maybe..never thought that till today but in the last yr cycles coming faster and more severeI know I have thread [[cause andrew from 1999 cycles caught my attention and next person had SAD]] on top..... thought bipolar 2 thread if you have it might get me some advice on what has helped 'you'
thank you
Posted by Squiggles on October 22, 2007, at 8:13:50
In reply to bipolar 2--need help please, posted by beachbum on October 22, 2007, at 7:13:20
> cycling getting worse
> biggest scare is I just had this 3 weeks ago for 9 days and when I got it again last week thought it would be short cause I just had it..going on 8 days again..tried to be 'calm' but am loosing it.
> can't do this every 3 weeks I can't keep my job like this or my sanity
> took effexor for 2 weeks would that make it worse...thinking maybe wellbutrin is making it worse maybe..never thought that till today but in the last yr cycles coming faster and more severe
>...
Wellbutrin and Effexor for cycling or bipolar?
Pelleeeeze! Shouldn't you be taking a mood
stabilizer, even a benzo until the right mood
stabilizer is found.Squiggles
Posted by beachbum on October 22, 2007, at 8:29:00
In reply to Re: bipolar 2--need help please » beachbum, posted by Squiggles on October 22, 2007, at 8:13:50
I don't know, just saying what pdoc gave me..and looking for answers. Some history on top of page, didn't want to bother people with posting same thing.
Posted by Polarbear206 on October 22, 2007, at 9:47:11
In reply to bipolar 2--need help please, posted by beachbum on October 22, 2007, at 7:13:20
> cycling getting worse
> biggest scare is I just had this 3 weeks ago for 9 days and when I got it again last week thought it would be short cause I just had it..going on 8 days again..tried to be 'calm' but am loosing it.
> can't do this every 3 weeks I can't keep my job like this or my sanity
> took effexor for 2 weeks would that make it worse...thinking maybe wellbutrin is making it worse maybe..never thought that till today but in the last yr cycles coming faster and more severe
>
> I know I have thread [[cause andrew from 1999 cycles caught my attention and next person had SAD]] on top..... thought bipolar 2 thread if you have it might get me some advice on what has helped 'you'
>
> thank youMany bipolars need to take an AD in combination with a mood stabilizer. Depending on how bad your cycling is, take the lowest dose possible to prevent this from happening. The most important thing now is to get on a mood stabilizer before you find the right AD that will work for you. You may be able to continue with the Effexor and tweek the dose until you get a therapeutic response.
PB
Effexor/wellbutrin/lamictal
Posted by Phillipa on October 22, 2007, at 12:21:19
In reply to Re: bipolar 2--need help please, posted by Polarbear206 on October 22, 2007, at 9:47:11
Polarbear I do agree with you but how come wellbutrin for bipolar and when I tried it for regular depression it made me manic? Can this happen? Thanks Phillipa
Posted by aminos4me on October 23, 2007, at 4:56:48
In reply to Re: bipolar 2--need help please » Polarbear206, posted by Phillipa on October 22, 2007, at 12:21:19
You NEED a mood stabilizer.
Odd i know but my bipolar 2 is responding well to dexamphetamine and Zyprexa. Dr thinks i have ADD which is causing my depression and mood instability. He says this is more often the case than first thought and is very much overlooked by many drs!
My immediate response to these medications indicates he is right!
Posted by beachbum on October 23, 2007, at 6:43:14
In reply to Re: bipolar 2--need help please, posted by Polarbear206 on October 22, 2007, at 9:47:11
Thank you PB, appreciate your response
have tried wellbutrin with lamictal
took lithium with wellbutrin also but just for few days as lithium made me very nauseous, doc wants me to consider slow release lithiumhaven't been 'up' since taking lamictal, know it's very odd but have never been the same since, now feel depressed instead of just having physical symptoms
cycles are really now just 'normal'[[physically]] and then extreme fatigue for week and then backwish I had never taken lamictal, odd as it is, I have been worse since
oh well...seriously considering no meds as I have been worse since starting them 3 yrs ago on a continuing basis..
appreciate your help...
Posted by beachbum on October 23, 2007, at 6:46:14
In reply to Re: bipolar 2--need help please, posted by aminos4me on October 23, 2007, at 4:56:48
Posted by beachbum on October 23, 2007, at 12:25:22
In reply to Re: bipolar 2--need help please » beachbum, posted by Squiggles on October 22, 2007, at 8:13:50
you know yesterday I was too depressed to answer your post much
thought this place was for SUPPORT and that post sure was not supportive
I see if you're new not too many give a hootI joined here and tried to be of assistance of who I could, that's just me and why I thought this board existed
Well today considering throwing in the towel as I have had it
my career I worked so hard to get degree will be gone when I haven't the energy to even shower
know there are many who have this disease here and two chose to assist
also dear Phillipa who tries to help all
not trying to be mean, just my thoughts before leaving hereyes my normally compassionate self is p### off
Posted by Phillipa on October 23, 2007, at 19:43:59
In reply to Re: bipolar 2--need help please » Squiggles, posted by beachbum on October 23, 2007, at 12:25:22
Beachbum please don't leave this can be a very supportive site and you have a lot to contribute. Sorry you feeling so bad. Love Phillipa
Posted by Squiggles on October 23, 2007, at 20:13:29
In reply to Re: bipolar 2--need help please » beachbum, posted by Phillipa on October 23, 2007, at 19:43:59
I find bipolar a real challenge; the anxiety
states are the worst for me. Trying to balance
the drugs is like a constant self-monitoring.
Taking a benzo helps if you are anxious. Hope
you have a dr. who is monitoring you.Squiggles
Posted by beachbum on October 24, 2007, at 22:16:32
In reply to Re: bipolar 2--need help please » Phillipa, posted by Squiggles on October 23, 2007, at 20:13:29
just want to apologize for my message
feeling scared and hopeless and I know I sometimes take things out of context due to my own insecurities and illogical thinkingThanks Phillipa [hug]
Posted by Phillipa on October 24, 2007, at 22:24:57
In reply to Re: bipolar 2--need help please, posted by beachbum on October 22, 2007, at 8:29:00
Beachbum what are you apologizing to me for? Love Phillipa
Posted by beachbum on October 24, 2007, at 22:34:56
In reply to Re: bipolar 2--need help please » beachbum, posted by Phillipa on October 24, 2007, at 22:24:57
apologizing to all
Phillipa
was thanking you for your kind post
Posted by Phillipa on October 25, 2007, at 19:08:18
In reply to apologize » Phillipa, posted by beachbum on October 24, 2007, at 22:34:56
Beachbum that is sweet. Love Phillipa how you're feeling better today.
Posted by Zyprexa on October 26, 2007, at 15:15:32
In reply to bipolar 2--need help please, posted by beachbum on October 22, 2007, at 7:13:20
It might be the wellbutrin.
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 27, 2007, at 14:09:44
In reply to my apologies, posted by beachbum on October 24, 2007, at 22:16:32
Posted by daisy_lynx on November 22, 2007, at 13:30:36
In reply to bipolar 2--need help please, posted by beachbum on October 22, 2007, at 7:13:20
anti depressants lets see with me:
Celexa was ok for a while thing I became anxious andwas staying away form people.
Paxil- through me in to dysphoria which is the black side of your up phase. I when into rages and could have easily hurt someone
Effexor- worked well with Lithium but ended up after 6 mths changing sind I was up all night and day
Wellbutrine- is good so far with my combination of lithium twice a day. I should warn you though under another name the same drug welbutrin is also used for quitting smoking and sexual dysfunction. So you may feel really well or be ing angony like my self. them are the facts
Posted by Ron Hill on November 23, 2007, at 2:41:41
In reply to bipolar 2--need help please, posted by beachbum on October 22, 2007, at 7:13:20
Beach Girl,
Are you still reading at PB, and do you still need help? I know first-hand the hell you are going through. I am bipolar II, and I'm an ultra rapid cycler. I cycle every 15 days.
I originally got screwed up in 1996 when an incompetent pdoc misdiagnosed me as ADHD and gave me Ritalin and Paxil. This combination pushed me into full blown mania.
I lost my engineering career and everything I owned, except my house. After the mania ceased, I fell into a pit of debilitating depression, and I began to ultra rapid cycle.
For years, my 15 day cycle consisted of 10 days in horrendous depression, one day of dysphoria, and 4 days in a normal mood state. This cycle repeated over and over and over ... for more than 10 years. Once in a while, I has some hypomania during what otherwise would have been a normal phase.
For few years now, I have had a great pdoc who allows me to try what I want so long as I present the research to him. Through reading tons of research and conducting a plethora of med trials, I have achieved nearly full remission. It has been a long, beyond imagination, painful battle
Beachbum, I tell you all this because I want you to understand that I know the hell you are in. I might be able to help you by showing you what works for me. But, I don't want to take the time to post if you are no longer around to read it. If you are still at PB, please reply to this post.
I am VERY VERY sorry for the horrendous debilitating depressive phases that you are tormented with. I've been there Beach, and I have experienced it first hand; the horrendous depressions, the screaming, yelling, anxious, way-beyond-irritable dysphoric mood states, the fun high energy hypomanic states, and a brief few days of normal mood state. I wish with all my heart that you did not have to experience this hell.
Tell me if you are still around, and I will tell you about my current med combo that has me very near full remission. I will try to help you to the extent that I can.
I feel bad that I did not see your post earlier.
-- Ron
Currently in near-full remission.
dx: Bipolar II, with ultra rapid cycling (15 days for one complete cycle), and mild Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)tx:
600 mg/day Trileptal
200 mg/day Lamictal
875 mg/day Keppra
90 mg/day Nardil
15 mg/day Deplin
P-5-P
Methyl-B12Androgel: 4 pumps of Androgel testosterone on a prn basis (typically administered once) during the two or three days of ultra rapid cycling depressive phases which occur every 15 days.
A few miscellaneous other vitamins and supplements: zinc, phosphatidylserine, selenium, vitamin D, Mg Malate/dietary Ca in yogurt etc, liquid fish oil, a good daily multiple vitamin.
---------------------------------
> cycling getting worse
> biggest scare is I just had this 3 weeks ago for 9 days and when I got it again last week thought it would be short cause I just had it..going on 8 days again..tried to be 'calm' but am loosing it.
> can't do this every 3 weeks I can't keep my job like this or my sanity
> took effexor for 2 weeks would that make it worse...thinking maybe wellbutrin is making it worse maybe..never thought that till today but in the last yr cycles coming faster and more severe
>
> I know I have thread [[cause andrew from 1999 cycles caught my attention and next person had SAD]] on top..... thought bipolar 2 thread if you have it might get me some advice on what has helped 'you'
>
> thank you
Posted by beachbum on December 28, 2007, at 7:55:11
In reply to Re: bipolar 2--need help please » beachbum, posted by Ron Hill on November 23, 2007, at 2:41:41
Ron,
Wow what a great post; your kindness is much appreciated.
I haven't been here till yesterday; I gave up and then felt better with addition of cytomel, 'thyroid replacement'. I also had to get new PC with Vista which is another story; took me forever to get things to work with it, lost everything from old PC also.
My husband commented three times the last two weeks about how I was feeling, well I had 10 weeks of 'good. Woke up yesterday 'sick' again and today worse,exhausted and nauseous, sure I won't make work tomorrow as I know 'it' won't go away that fast.
I stopped wellbutrin for a while and felt worse, not sick like I get but just depressed. Taking just 300 now, added vitamin D and multi, fish oil, the thyroid med, thought it was working. It could be slowing them [[cycles] down a bit possibly.
Just started lamictal 2 weeks ago at 25; I didn't have much luck with it in the past beyond 5 months but trying desperately not to get cycle I get every February, [[last yr. end of January] where I am so 'sick' for 6 weeks that I can't do anything, even drinking is difficult with the nausea, brushing my teeth makes me throw up. I had a refill on it from old script so filled it. I tried it before with wellbutrin but I was always so tired I didn't stick with it. I never got past 50mg; it was too hard to go to work.
Oh taking 400 provigil last two weeks, but not helping last 2 days. That's usually bout as far as I get before it doesn't do anything.Also sit under this light, which didn't help last winter, but it's here so still do it.
Anyway I hope you see this; I really appreciate your post.
Posted by Ron Hill on December 31, 2007, at 18:12:38
In reply to Re: bipolar 2--need help please » Ron Hill, posted by beachbum on December 28, 2007, at 7:55:11
Beach,
I wish you well in your quest for a med combo that stops your rapid cycling. Keep trying and never give up.
I'm not doing so well right now. My 15-day cycle currently consists of 8 days of depression and 7 days of a normal-mood state. It's SAD season. Prior to SAD season, I was depressed only 3 days of every 15-day cycle.
Beach, I send you my sincere hope that this coming February (and/or January) will be much easier for you than years past. I pray you will be spared the debilitating pain of severe unrelenting depression.
-- Ron
--------------------------
> Ron,
> Wow what a great post; your kindness is much appreciated.
> I haven't been here till yesterday; I gave up and then felt better with addition of cytomel, 'thyroid replacement'. I also had to get new PC with Vista which is another story; took me forever to get things to work with it, lost everything from old PC also.
> My husband commented three times the last two weeks about how I was feeling, well I had 10 weeks of 'good. Woke up yesterday 'sick' again and today worse,exhausted and nauseous, sure I won't make work tomorrow as I know 'it' won't go away that fast.
> I stopped wellbutrin for a while and felt worse, not sick like I get but just depressed. Taking just 300 now, added vitamin D and multi, fish oil, the thyroid med, thought it was working. It could be slowing them [[cycles] down a bit possibly.
> Just started lamictal 2 weeks ago at 25; I didn't have much luck with it in the past beyond 5 months but trying desperately not to get cycle I get every February, [[last yr. end of January] where I am so 'sick' for 6 weeks that I can't do anything, even drinking is difficult with the nausea, brushing my teeth makes me throw up. I had a refill on it from old script so filled it. I tried it before with wellbutrin but I was always so tired I didn't stick with it. I never got past 50mg; it was too hard to go to work.
> Oh taking 400 provigil last two weeks, but not helping last 2 days. That's usually bout as far as I get before it doesn't do anything.
>
> Also sit under this light, which didn't help last winter, but it's here so still do it.
>
>
> Anyway I hope you see this; I really appreciate your post.
>
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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