Posted by Anna Laura on July 1, 2002, at 1:41:33
I just need some personal experience/feedback on the bipolar II issue.
I've been suffering from psychotic depression residual symptoms (no more major anxiety and delusions, mainly anhedonia) since 1995.
I've been diagnosed with bipolar II this Spring. Went to a Neuroscience Research University Clinic to get a second opionion and my dx has been confirmed.
Couldn't get to try mood stabilizers as my current pdoc doesn't believe i need them; i called the Neuroscience Clinic last week and they told me i should be on a mood stabilizer (they suggested Tegretol); I'm currently on Wellbutrin (450 mg. Wellbutrin, 150 mg. Effexor); I'm slowly dropping Effexor (i was on 300 mg.) as it didn't have any effect in the long run other then fatigue and weight gain;
Wellbutrin worked at first, then pooped out quickly; it worked again as i raised the dose and pooped out again; sexual life is somewhat improved even though it's been deteriorating throughout the years (strangely it was better when i was psychotic!).
I was skeptical about my last dx, so i've been researching myself for bipolar II .
I have to admit do have many symptoms such as premorbid lifelong hyperthymic condition with hypomanic swings, a history of agitated major depression with psychotic features, ADs poop out, plus current letargy, hypersomnia and apathy.
I did experience some mood swings during my 12 years long depression but i never went hypomanic again; I'm undecided between dopaminergic agents and mood stabilizers; I've read a bunch of discouraging negative stories on Tegretol and Depakote; i was thinking about trying Neurontin but i don't have any anxiety and i 'm afraid i'll end up feeling sedated (that's what my current pdoc told me by the way); Lamictal may be ? I was thinking about Mirapex also; i'm torn between the two; i'm really discouraged, need some advice/personal experience please.
I feel that i can't bear this damned anhedonia much longer.Thanks for listening and forgive me for my poor english
PREVIOUS MEDS:
Tofranil: took it two times: first time (1993, psychotic depression) : made more delusional at first; became very aggressive on it; anger eventually subsided, anxiety faded away and dysphoria took its place.
Second time: 2000 (double depression): worked at first, then pooped out and i got cognitively impaired and apathetic on it.Notice: During the last Bipolar Disorder Conference Dr. Koukopulos stated that AD monotherapy might induce treatment resistant chronic dysphoria (!!) in agitated depressed with a premorbid hyperthymic temperament.
Zoloft (Took it for CFS back in 1998), helped somewhat for extreme fatigue and severe hypotension, but did nothing for anhedonia.
Prozac: worked for three days after a 8 weeks trial, then pooped out.
Levosulpiride (atypical AP): made my anhedonia worse, disrupted my cycle, i became severely depressed on it: terrible, i hated it.
Amytryptiline: did nothing;
Effexor: didn't do much; just a bit more motivation and self-confidence; i became aggressive on it for a few months, got involved in fights.
poster:Anna Laura
thread:111106
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020628/msgs/111106.html