Posted by BarbaraCat on July 14, 2004, at 14:43:52
In reply to Re: end of rope, posted by platinumbride on July 13, 2004, at 14:42:03
Dear PB,
I too am bipolar and have had a hellish time of it. Mixed states dysphoric hypomania - arrrgh! The one med that has made the biggest difference is lithium, so I'm glad that your pdoc has put you on it and fervently hope that it does the trick for you. I've gone off and on lithium a few times and this last time I really learned my lesson to NEVER go off it again. I too am on 600mg, which is low by therapeutic standards, but it works for me.Just to let you know, I was also on lamictal for a while. Worked fine and then pooped and higher doses set me up for the Stevens Johnson rash, which I got. I've been on many SSRI's and they failed, probably because I didn't know I was bipolar and was taking them without lithium. Nortryptaline was the best prescription antidepressant I was on by far. Now, I am taking pharmaceutical grade St. John's Wort with lithium and thyroid medication and am feeling very good. As of 4 weeks ago, prior to going back on lithium, I was seriously considering if I wanted to continue on with life or not. I also take the amino acid L-Taurine (4G a day) which acts as a mood stabilizer and has been getting good press for bipolar.
If you already have endocrine problems, be aware that lithium can be harmful to your thyroid. You'll need to keep a watch on it cause low thyroid will cause depression and anxiety. If your sex hormones are imbalanced, that's a good reason for feeling bad. High prolactin levels have been associated with depression as well.
The science of biochemistry for mood disorders is really getting off the ground and there are clinics and specialized doctors who are doing great work in this area. Unfortunately, most standard conventional care does not look this deeply. If things don't improve and you suspect your physical situation is continuing to affect your emotional, you may need to dig deeper and be a real squeaky wheel as far as your health care is concerned. - BarbaraCat
> I just got off the phone with my doc. The only thing I am mildly pleased with at this point is that he is going to put me on 600 mgs of lithium. He won't touch tcas or maois. The aD will be zoloft (again) but this time at 200 mgs or more if he has to.
>
> I guess it is worth mentioning that it looks more and more like I have some endocrine problems too. For his tastes, my prolactin levels are high. However, planned parenthood must have different standards and says they are normal. Whatever...
>
> Thanks again to all who have posted.
> If this combo doesnt work I guess I will have to find a way to get to a bigger city where there will be shrinks who aren't so afraid of things like parnate or tcas/
>
> For now it is all "as the stomach turns"...
>
> Diane
poster:BarbaraCat
thread:364276
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040714/msgs/366133.html