Posted by Ritch on June 21, 2003, at 18:13:03
In reply to Ritch, Re: advanced biochemistry models of BP, posted by McPac on June 21, 2003, at 14:25:12
> "I only quit antimanic meds once (lithium), and it was a big disaster"
>
> >>>>>>>>> Ritch, how did you get after quitting the lith.?
> Any rage/anger after quitting it?
> Thanks!!Actually, I didn't consciously plan to stop it cold and do without it. I was going to college (the 2nd time out of 3 times), and I was reducing my dose because of severe diarrhea from it (it was making attending classes difficult and nothing but an opioid would stop it). Anyhow, I found that I could keep my mania reasonably manageable by taking 300mg every 36 hrs. More than that and I couldn't tolerate it-less than that and I got too wired. Then, the mania went away with the season and I just stopped it and it didn't seem to make any difference. But, I very, very, slowly, got more depressed. I just didn't make the connection-felt like it wasn't any worse than it ever was (with or without meds). But it WAS a LOT worse. So much so, that I dropped out of school. Then in the Spring I got manic (bubbly-not angry). When I got depressed again-it was a humdinger and I got fired because I couldn't keep up with the workload and show up at jobsites on time and finish up my work. Then I really crashed hard. I finally went back to my doctor and I got on 600mg/day of Li again and I was a completely different person in about two weeks. Honestly, I don't *think* that NOT taking the mood stabilizers brought on mixed states (dysphoria-rage). I think that TAKING the wrong antidepressants or the wrong dosage of AD's is what *caused* the mixed episodes. My rage episodes have been the worst when I was taking doxepin, Remeron, Wellbutrin, etc. It would be more accurate to say that quitting antimanics, makes me scatter-brained and silly, taking the wrong AD's triggers the mixed stuff.
poster:Ritch
thread:234222
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030619/msgs/235917.html