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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by delna on March 20, 2004, at 7:22:21
hi
i have bipolar II with very bad depressive periods lasting months.A combination of effexor 75, wellbutrin 150, and lamotogine 200mg is great and helps me alot. I am no longer depressive
However my mood still swings and is blatantly linked to my period and no medication has been able to help that part of things. my pdoc just gave me abilify - an antipsychotic to take all month round.
i wondered how appropriate this is?? it doesnt make much sense to me.
I have awful pmt. it starts 10-12 days in advance and i have physical symptoms as well as some awful mental ones. lately my periods have become a bit irreguluar and i have been getting a bit too low and also became a bit delusional- i saw mysef as really hideous last time. so much so that i could not leave the houseTaking an antisychotic seems strange/ i know he is trying to stabalize me more but that monthly low seems to be inevetible whatever i am taking.
has anyone tried antipsychotics for this???it seems an odd thing to take for this.
but more importantly has anyone had any experiences with the pill and pmt/worsening of existing mental probs??thanks so much
d
Posted by Sooshi on March 20, 2004, at 8:40:04
In reply to antipsycotics for womens probs, in bipolar, posted by delna on March 20, 2004, at 7:22:21
I am in the EXACT same boat as you are...extreme PMS/PMDD that is only aggrivating my BPII. My pdoc did the same thing, only he prescribed Seroquel. I found it to be useless...did he think just knocking me out for 2 weeks during PMS would solve the problem??? (Well, I guess in a way it would.:) So he says, go talk to your OB/GYN.
Then, I go to my OB/GYN and she tells me I'm already taking an AD, and that's what she would prescribe for PMS/PMDD, so she says to talk to my pdoc!
So...I'm going to see a new OB/GYN who specializes in endoctrinology/menopause issues, as this seems to be the next step. I've had all my "thyroid" tests done by my shrink, and all were normal, but I think seeing a specialist will help me pinpoint what exactly is the problem.
Maybe you could see an endoctrinologist? I can't go on birth control for various reasons, but I've heard it sometimes helps, and sometimes makes it worse.
Good luck to you, and keep me posted!
BTW, I take 300mg Effexor, and just started Zonegran (just quite Topamax).
Posted by delna on March 20, 2004, at 9:24:21
In reply to Re: antipsycotics for womens probs, in bipolar » delna, posted by Sooshi on March 20, 2004, at 8:40:04
Thanx for your post
its very frustrating isnt it......I am going to see a new gynac on monday. i hope she has something to add.
Like you, my test results always come out normal- but the problem still remains.
anyway i will keep u posted as to any hints she may give.......
goodluck 2 u 2
d
Posted by Hattree on March 20, 2004, at 9:43:14
In reply to antipsycotics for womens probs, in bipolar, posted by delna on March 20, 2004, at 7:22:21
My cousin has been taking Abilify for depression and some ugly PMS for the past couple of months, and she's been doing very well. Antipsychotics aren't just for psychotics anymore :).
> hi
> i have bipolar II with very bad depressive periods lasting months.A combination of effexor 75, wellbutrin 150, and lamotogine 200mg is great and helps me alot. I am no longer depressive
> However my mood still swings and is blatantly linked to my period and no medication has been able to help that part of things. my pdoc just gave me abilify - an antipsychotic to take all month round.
> i wondered how appropriate this is?? it doesnt make much sense to me.
> I have awful pmt. it starts 10-12 days in advance and i have physical symptoms as well as some awful mental ones. lately my periods have become a bit irreguluar and i have been getting a bit too low and also became a bit delusional- i saw mysef as really hideous last time. so much so that i could not leave the house
>
> Taking an antisychotic seems strange/ i know he is trying to stabalize me more but that monthly low seems to be inevetible whatever i am taking.
> has anyone tried antipsychotics for this???it seems an odd thing to take for this.
> but more importantly has anyone had any experiences with the pill and pmt/worsening of existing mental probs??
>
> thanks so much
> d
Posted by delna on March 20, 2004, at 12:21:44
In reply to Re: Abilify for PMDD, posted by Hattree on March 20, 2004, at 9:43:14
> My cousin has been taking Abilify for depression and some ugly PMS for the past couple of months, and she's been doing very well.
thats great news
may i ask how your cousin is tolerating the drug in terms of side effects. any sedation, awful weight gain, etc???
thanks
d
Posted by Hattree on March 20, 2004, at 14:44:15
In reply to Re: Abilify for PMDD » Hattree, posted by delna on March 20, 2004, at 12:21:44
The only thing she mentioned is dry mouth. At first she was very sedated but dropped to a something like a quarter of the smallest pill (easy enough to break apparently) and now can't say enough good things about it. I actually called my doc and asked him to prescribe it for me, but he for some reason wanted me to try Geodon first.
Weight gain doesn't seem to be a problem. Give it a go and let me know how it goes.
> > My cousin has been taking Abilify for depression and some ugly PMS for the past couple of months, and she's been doing very well.
>
> thats great news
> may i ask how your cousin is tolerating the drug in terms of side effects. any sedation, awful weight gain, etc???
> thanks
> d
Posted by sjb on March 22, 2004, at 10:25:16
In reply to Re: antipsycotics for womens probs, in bipolar » delna, posted by Sooshi on March 20, 2004, at 8:40:04
I'm very anxious to hear what you find out. I just read "The PMDD Phenomenon" and it was somewhat helpful but basically stuff we already know.
I used to think that PMS, PMDD where overrated or exagerated by some women as an excuse or crutch. I think much differently now. Plus, it gets worse as you get older, well, for me anyway.PMDD is a pain and why do PDocs want to give us this stuff which just add to our miseries??? I get terrible mood swings, my face gets real oily and breaks out (I'm 44!) and that's the best part. I have overwhelming cravings for sweets, cry at the drop of the hat, get very lethargic and often suicidal. So what do I get? Risperdal!!! I ain't taking it and I'm not going back to this PDoc. I don't care if I'm BPII or not (I don't think I am) but I am not taking any more antipsychotics. Zyprexa and others I tried were awful and made my PMDD symptoms worse, only difference was I had them every day!!!!! Ok, I have to calm down.
I'm glad Abilify is working for one of the posters' friends here. I tried it, but didn't last for more than a few days. I guess I should have tried to be more patient with it. I remember the side effects weren't nearly as bad as with the others, but as soon as I got that daytime sleepy feeling, I panicked and stopped.
If someone finds an answer, please enlighten us! The only thing the helped me were SSRI's and EffexorXR, but all them pooped out within a year.
Posted by delna on March 22, 2004, at 12:23:02
In reply to Re: antipsycotics for womens probs, in bipolar » delna, posted by Sooshi on March 20, 2004, at 8:40:04
hi
I went to the gyn today. She had nothing to say except that I need to lose weight!!! She said there was nothing in my reports that indicates a malfunction of the horomones.....so there was nothing she could do, except tell me about multivitamins. Her other idea was losing weight as a means of sorting my whole system out.
hmmmmmmmm that wasnt any help
as for the abilfy I too had some side effects, panicked and quit.
i just dont want to mess with antipsychotics.
anyway sorry for the lack of good news
will keep looking for an anwser..will keep u updated
good luck
d
Posted by PoohBear on March 22, 2004, at 14:00:45
In reply to antipsycotics for womens probs, in bipolar, posted by delna on March 20, 2004, at 7:22:21
Posted by Sooshi on March 22, 2004, at 15:43:16
In reply to Re: OB/GYN - do tell, posted by sjb on March 22, 2004, at 10:25:16
I go on Wed and have a list a mile long to go over with her. Will let you know what we decide to do. Your symptoms are exactly like mine, especially the age, acne, and sweets cravings!
Posted by Sooshi on March 22, 2004, at 15:47:21
In reply to Re: antipsycotics for womens probs, in bipolar, posted by delna on March 22, 2004, at 12:23:02
That sounds just like what my regular gyn said...that's why I'm going to another that specializes in PMDD/hormones! There's got to be some kind of help out there for this problem, and I intend to keep searching until I find it!
Good luck to you, and I'll keep you posted!
Posted by judy1 on March 22, 2004, at 17:27:18
In reply to Re: antipsycotics for womens probs, in bipolar » delna, posted by Sooshi on March 22, 2004, at 15:47:21
I'm in my 30s (definitely not perimenopausal) and have had horrible problems with PMS. Since I have BP 1, APs have been a big part of my treatment- but I refuse to take them longer than any symptoms of psychosis last. Mainly because after years of typical and atypical APs I have too many side-effects, and my neurological health is too important to me. Also I think I would have noticed an effect (whether negative or positive) on my PMS by now- there has been none. I have seen my fertility doc (an endocrinologist) about this, and after a bunch of tests he has tailored a regimen of hormones (specific doses of estrogen-different forms)- and some other hormones that I take during the 2 weeks before my period is due. I have noticed a tremendous difference, basically I have no symptoms now. It makes a lot more sense to me to see someone who is knowledgeable about hormones and can work with you rather than take a psychiatric drug from a shrink who probably has less knowledge than you about your cycle- and especially APs- please! sorry, I just feel really strongly about this subject. I hope you have an endocrinologist available in your area.
take care, judy
Posted by nmk on March 23, 2004, at 15:33:03
In reply to Re: antipsycotics for womens probs, in bipolar, posted by judy1 on March 22, 2004, at 17:27:18
> I'm in my 30s (definitely not perimenopausal) and have had horrible problems with PMS. Since I have BP 1, APs have been a big part of my treatment- but I refuse to take them longer than any symptoms of psychosis last. Mainly because after years of typical and atypical APs I have too many side-effects, and my neurological health is too important to me. Also I think I would have noticed an effect (whether negative or positive) on my PMS by now- there has been none. I have seen my fertility doc (an endocrinologist) about this, and after a bunch of tests he has tailored a regimen of hormones (specific doses of estrogen-different forms)- and some other hormones that I take during the 2 weeks before my period is due. I have noticed a tremendous difference, basically I have no symptoms now. It makes a lot more sense to me to see someone who is knowledgeable about hormones and can work with you rather than take a psychiatric drug from a shrink who probably has less knowledge than you about your cycle- and especially APs- please! sorry, I just feel really strongly about this subject. I hope you have an endocrinologist available in your area.
> take care, judy
Hi Judy,Your post brought me some hope and I hope I can pick your brain a bit. My moods cycle typically a week before my period and during this time, I have trouble sleeping, am irritable and anxious. Please, please, please tell me what type of hormones you are taking and the dosages. Also, what symptoms have the hormones relieved for you? Are you on any other meds and if so, were you able to decrease the dose when you added on the hormones?
I am seeing both my OB and my pdoc this week and want to discuss the idea of taking hormones the week before my period. I have tried the pill which sent me into a horrible depression so that is out of the question. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Nicole
Posted by andie7 on March 23, 2004, at 22:45:20
In reply to Re: antipsycotics for womens probs, in bipolar » judy1, posted by nmk on March 23, 2004, at 15:33:03
Wow! I stumbled across this thread while searching for info on my latest med, Abilify. I'm in my 30's, have bipolar disoder, and suffer from pretty bad pms/pmdd. All this time I thought I was the only one, but from reading the posts above it looks like this is an epidemic! = ) Comforting, I guess.
I have been on Zoloft 200mg for 5 years (which triggered my first major manic episode) and Trileptal 600mg. I haven't been tolerating the Trileptal well, severe headaches and tremors, so we are in the process of weaning off it and adding Abilify to my cocktail. My symptoms get worse prior to my period, with increased anxiety, irritabilty, rage, etc. Also, we'd like to have another child soon which adds to my concerns. The AC's and more traditional mood stabilizers are now out due to birth defects. My pdoc says Abilify has fewer side effects and is safe during pregnancy (which I have yet to read anywhere).
I also hate having to take these meds, especially the AP's. I had not considered an endocrinologist, but think that's a great idea. Judy, I'd love to hear what got you there and what you've learned, as well as to hear more about your homone therapy. I'm all for more natural stuff and less drugs and side effects!
Andie
Posted by Hattree on March 24, 2004, at 8:18:58
In reply to Re: antipsycotics for womens probs, in bipolar, posted by andie7 on March 23, 2004, at 22:45:20
Hope the Abilify trial goes well for you, Andie. Keep us posted, please!
> Wow! I stumbled across this thread while searching for info on my latest med, Abilify. I'm in my 30's, have bipolar disoder, and suffer from pretty bad pms/pmdd. All this time I thought I was the only one, but from reading the posts above it looks like this is an epidemic! = ) Comforting, I guess.
>
> I have been on Zoloft 200mg for 5 years (which triggered my first major manic episode) and Trileptal 600mg. I haven't been tolerating the Trileptal well, severe headaches and tremors, so we are in the process of weaning off it and adding Abilify to my cocktail. My symptoms get worse prior to my period, with increased anxiety, irritabilty, rage, etc. Also, we'd like to have another child soon which adds to my concerns. The AC's and more traditional mood stabilizers are now out due to birth defects. My pdoc says Abilify has fewer side effects and is safe during pregnancy (which I have yet to read anywhere).
>
> I also hate having to take these meds, especially the AP's. I had not considered an endocrinologist, but think that's a great idea. Judy, I'd love to hear what got you there and what you've learned, as well as to hear more about your homone therapy. I'm all for more natural stuff and less drugs and side effects!
>
> Andie
This is the end of the thread.
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