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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sk85 on July 3, 2011, at 13:32:33
I was wondering what would happen if a person experiences hypomania while taking an antidepressant. Would this continue indefinately while taking the AD? Or would it eventually lead to mood oscillations which is a hallmark symptom of bipolar disorder? Will the AD keep the disorder switched in the "UP" mode?
-Ikaros
Posted by bleauberry on July 3, 2011, at 17:15:21
In reply to Question about bipolar disorder (med related), posted by sk85 on July 3, 2011, at 13:32:33
Flip a coin. I can find you research that claims ssris are good for bipolar and others saying they are risky.
If you were to oscillate or descend into depression, I personally would not point the finger at the med. It may have interrupted the bipolar process for a time, but didn't stop it forever.
Hopefully though, it will just keep on going for a long time. I can find a few stories of people still loving their prozac or zoloft after 10 years, or people loving their parnate or nardil after 20 years.
With or without meds, with or without bipolar, the normal human emotional spectrum has some fairly wild ups and downs not many of us are ever likely to totally avoid that.
There are several kinds of mania. It sounds like you are experiencing the good kind....enjoying life a lot, talking more, socializing more, energetic, enthusiastic, not just normal happy but maybe a little bit more than that? Hey, some people, we've all seen them, are like that all the time. For them it is their "normal". If your current mania....and I'm not sure it is mania....is that kind then the big concerns are 1) spending sprees, 2) gambling, 3 )sexual promiscuity. If those aren't managed and controlled carefully, they can end up causing such devastating things in your life that the next inevitable thing is for depression to take over again.
As long as it isn't the bad kind of mania....rages, agitation, insomnia, depression mixed in with it....then I say just enjoy each day.
Posted by mellow on July 3, 2011, at 17:55:32
In reply to Question about bipolar disorder (med related), posted by sk85 on July 3, 2011, at 13:32:33
I had a switch into mania with my first exposure to zoloft, but it quickly turned mixed and I began having a lot of crying spells and moodiness. As long as you aren't experiencing some of those dangers that blueberry pointed out you may just be feeling better. I took ssri type drugs, particularly celexa for 4 years. I cycled a lot and always either felt like I was on the verge of greatness (mania) or a total piece of cr*p (depression).
The first thing I said to my pdoc after he took me off Celexa was that it seemed like we really slowed down the cycles. I felt like I could have week long if not month long periods where I felt like I was having a normal mood and could function quite well.
Some people can just turn into type A people and feel great. Other will rapid cycle and lose stability on AD's. My doctors over the years made the mistake of treating the med induced stuff as bipolar fluctuations and just over medicated me until I was an exhausted overweight mess.
I hope you figure out what is best for you and keep us posted.
mellow
Posted by Phillipa on July 4, 2011, at 0:30:58
In reply to Question about bipolar disorder (med related), posted by sk85 on July 3, 2011, at 13:32:33
My understanding is that this would be called bipolar III as would be med induced so would think the med would have to be discontinued. Did this happen to you? Don't think it created a long lasting bipolar syndrome. Just stop the med. Phillipa
Posted by sk85 on July 4, 2011, at 7:39:40
In reply to Re: Question about bipolar disorder (med related) » sk85, posted by Phillipa on July 4, 2011, at 0:30:58
Thanks for the replies. I'm actually not taking an SSRI but clomipramine which I few months ago discontinued and strated taking again recently because I felt the depression and OCD returning. I only take it 20 mg/day (to minimize side-effects) but have been feeling very good lately... at times a bit too much I think. I'm almost euphoric at certain times during the day and experiencing increased pleasure in doing creative and artistic stuff, although this is accompanied by some background anxiety. I'm nowhere near in a state of losing control and starting a crazy shopping spree or experiencing hypersexuality (although paradoxically clomipramine has increased my libido somewhat which was very down before it). I might be just reexperiencing some of the positive aspects of myself which just were repressed by the horrible depression I had for 2 years in a row. Then again my mind is now accusing myself that I'm getting high on meds. But this is probably my OCD kicking in as my battle with it is far from over.
-Ikaros
Posted by crazyjoe on July 9, 2011, at 13:56:00
In reply to Re: Question about bipolar disorder (med related), posted by sk85 on July 4, 2011, at 7:39:40
does anyone think a med like paxil or luvox would be a better choice for someone with bp and ocd my dr will not prescribe an ssri without a mood stabilizer
Posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2011, at 20:36:23
In reply to Re: Question about bipolar disorder (med related), posted by crazyjoe on July 9, 2011, at 13:56:00
Crazyjoe you are bipolar? Which type? I feel your doc is probably right. Phillipa
Posted by crazyjoe on July 9, 2011, at 22:20:42
In reply to Re: Question about bipolar disorder (med related) » crazyjoe, posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2011, at 20:36:23
yes bipolar 2/ocd
Posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2011, at 23:29:56
In reply to Re: Question about bipolar disorder (med related), posted by crazyjoe on July 9, 2011, at 22:20:42
Well you took celexa wasn't it without a mood stabalizer so why one now? Phillipa
Posted by crazyjoe on July 10, 2011, at 0:44:22
In reply to Re: Question about bipolar disorder (med related) » crazyjoe, posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2011, at 23:29:56
never took celexa---previously lexapro-currently cymbalta with tegretol and klonopoin--would like to ditch the tegretol and try a more calming ssri--cymbalta does nothing for anxiety at 60 mg and insurance won't allow it above 60---thinking maybe luvox -lamictal------used lithium for 10 years -wonderful at 1500 mg----kidney dr. recommend i stop it....
Posted by Phillipa on July 10, 2011, at 19:46:20
In reply to Re: Question about bipolar disorder (med related), posted by crazyjoe on July 10, 2011, at 0:44:22
Oops sorry wrong med. So you are on a mood stabalizer. I once took trileptal to boost an ad only 150mg. Stopped it as nothing. Phillipa
Posted by crazyjoe on July 10, 2011, at 22:18:45
In reply to Re: Question about bipolar disorder (med related) » crazyjoe, posted by Phillipa on July 10, 2011, at 19:46:20
phillipa did you ever take celexa
Posted by Phillipa on July 11, 2011, at 19:56:43
In reply to Re: Question about bipolar disorder (med related), posted by crazyjoe on July 10, 2011, at 22:18:45
Yes when new my pdoc forced me off luvox which was working said he needed l0 patients for a trial. This trial ruined forever my response to SSRI's Felt horrible on 20mg I think he took me off in one month I'd done so horrible. Phillipa
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