Posted by katia on June 5, 2003, at 15:31:50
In reply to Re: Lamictal success stories for Ritch » katia, posted by colin wallace on June 5, 2003, at 5:13:09
> Hi Katia,
>
> Actually, from the word go (a little over three years ago) I knew that my depression wasn't run of the mill.When I took my first AD (fluoxetine)I experienced wild mood swings, euphoria,awful anger,panic, etc. etc.Unfortunately, my responses to every other AD I tried (without a mood stabilizer) were equally unpleasant-effexor was the worst, Remeron the least offensive, although my moods were still off the wall.
> I had excellent results with Sam-e for a while, but again, no mood-stabilizer, eventual mixed state response.
> It would take too long to detail every treatment option I've tried, suffice it to say that basically, the only things I've yet to try are the MAOI's and AP's.
> The information I'd gleened from this board, and from other posters with similar responses led me believe I was somewhere on the BP side of things, although my GP was unconvinced-until that is, I went into full blown hypomania on Zoloft.
> My initial diagnosis was 'double depression', but my psych. at the time conceded that I 'might' be BP 11.I think he agreed this, just to keep me happy!!
> Actually, I've given up attaching too much importance on my diagnosis-I don't care to pin labels on myself, I'm only concerned about what works.
> My new psych. however, does believe me to be BP11, and once I'd experienced stability on Lamictal, and began to react 'normally' to antidepressants, this was confirmed.
>
>
> Best,
>
> Col.thanks for your response. Yes, I too don't care for labels, but in my opinion labels are an important container to define what's going on. I don't feel put into a box by it, but rather relieved to know what's going on with me and be able to treat it from there. As we all know there are multi-layers to depression and such; it's important to start giving some of these things a name so that we can get out of the box; have some freedom from it and self awareness about it. Without a name or label, then I feel mental disorders are not validated as such and not given the proper recognition and acknoweledgment. I think the non-labeling can work in reverse by making the stigma worse due to uneducation about it. anyway, those are my 2cents.
I was a zombie on Zoloft, but Serzone has had that hypomanic effect on me. And again, what were your "symptoms" when you say you went into full blown hypomania on Zoloft?
Glad to hear you've found the right med combo.
katia
poster:katia
thread:99976
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030604/msgs/231690.html