Posted by Mr.Scott on December 3, 2003, at 15:07:24
In reply to Re: Help! Calling Rapid Cyclers and other Bipolars! » Mr. Scott, posted by Larry Hoover on December 3, 2003, at 7:56:40
Thanks for your kind words and input. Basically you would think I was a chronic depressive somewhere in between dysthymia and Major Depressive with Atypical features predominating along with panic snd anxiety. Then you toss in an Antidepressant without a stabilizer. Here it gets confusing as to whether I have side effects to the AD, something on the BP spectrum, or what I don't know. While the depression may improve, simultameously emerging are signs of mild mania or a mixed product and the end result is really not much prettier than depression. If the AD is really pushed you begin to see hypersexuality, flagrant drug and alcohol abuse, poor impulse control, intense anger, 'excessive mind noise', inappropriate hilarity, etc. This mixed affair passes and probably what is termed rapid cycling sets in (not sure) or a low grade continuous agited depression remains. Bear in mind this may be hardly recognizable to most people who discard my behavior as odd or unique but not severe enough to be truly pathological. I end up playing alchemist with the meds and not really ever getting anything accomplished on that front.
I was prescribed Trileptal years ago and never took it. Now I'm on it at 600mg total daily and climbing plus .5mg klonopin daily. I want to add lamictal in there. I'm calm for the most part as the Effexor slips out with minimal withdrawal, but I am clearly depressed. I have very little hope and am relying on the numbness from the stabiler/benzo to keep me from severe/profound depression. Interestingly enough I can by placing myself in situations with good people to talk to kind of raise myself from despair.
Do you think it's Lamictal time from here or a different AD with the stabilizer? My current doctor seems to think that for all the great research out there and heated debates between the Akiskals of the world, that trteating BP disorder today is essentially a crap shoot every time no matter what. And only trial and error can avail. What doesn't make sense is that the only stabilizers he has offered me have been Neurontin, Klonopin, and Gabitril (these are 4th tier!). This is odd, but it may be because he sees like what I described above...A state of chronic depression.
Anyways thanks for your help in this. It has taken me forever to write this because I'm low and I am going to print it out and give it to him when I see him next. Your help is one of the things thats keeping me wanting to move forwards and not standing still.
poster:Mr.Scott
thread:285727
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031202/msgs/286264.html