Posted by Mitch on September 20, 2001, at 12:25:59
In reply to Re: andy's answer to all #2, posted by andys on September 20, 2001, at 9:50:38
> First, define rapid cycling. The PDR defines it as 4 switches a YEAR! (doesn’t seem very rapid to me). I ask, because a true rapid-cycler is considered to be a different “species”, with some different (but evolving) rules, like not treating with antidepressants, but with mood stabilizers (anti-convulsants and atypical antipsychotics). I’m not saying it’s universally true, but sure applies to me, and sounds like you need to think more in that direction too.
I think the DSM def. for rapid cycling is 4*plus* cycles/year. Ultra I think is cycles spanning less than 48 hrs.
Thanks for all of this info! Oh, I guess I should have been more specific. I have fairly "burned-in" chronic 3-week cycles for 25+ years now. They follow a DME pattern (depression/hypomania/euthymia). That is also coupled with seasonal major depressions twice a year.
> Part of the evolving theory of rapid cyclers is that they are more likely to have “multiple malfunctions” going on (bipolar/endocrine/thyroid/hypoglycemia, etc), which would explain why they can be notoriously hard to treat. One theory is that rapid-cyclers may have sub-clinical thyroid disorder (or some other un-measurable thyroid disfunction). Therefore, they’re treated with thyroid meds, even if their thyroid test show normal. Thyroid is boosted with cytomel (increases T3), or synthroid (increases T4). I didn’t respond to synthroid, but get a definite activation from cytomel .25 mg.), taken with my wakeup meds (Dexedrine and lamictal). But a very successful therapy that is emerging is to take both synthroid and cytomel, to raise your overall thyroid level to the high-side of normal (even if it was originally normal). I have heard of great benefits from this, and intend to try it, after I exhaust the dopamine issues.Interesting. Well, I had a thyroid tumor two years ago (during the time I had my last bout of panic attacks) and had a left thyroidectomy (it was a "cold" nodule-and it was growing FAST!). I know that T4 is used to shrink tumors.. perhaps a small dose of T4 could replace all antidepressant use for me-I would hope so, but my pdoc isn't going to play endocrinologist and my endocrinologist says he doesn't approve of it-wonderful. My Mom has epilepsy and had thyroid cancer. I had my first tumor at the same age she had her first tumor. She had her 2nd tumor 10 years later which was cancerous. So I have got to watch my half-thyroid very closely!
thanks again,
Mitch
poster:Mitch
thread:78856
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010917/msgs/79160.html