Posted by Lyrical13 on December 14, 2003, at 10:23:21
I just discovered Psycho-Babble today as I was researching a med that my doctor is suggesting for me. I am so relieved and excited to find a site devoted to support for mood disorders etc. I don't know why I didn't think to look for it.
Anyway, I have had serious problems with depression and anxiety for over 10 years. My little sister was also recently diagnosed with some sort of mood disorder (she's only 14. I'm 34..looking back, there were mild signs of depression when I was her age but my real problems didn't start until college) Anyway, I've tried several different medications to treat depression/anxiety since those are my major symptoms: Paxil, Celexa, Serzone (along with Buspar, Klonipin or Attivan for anxiety). Last year I was put on Effexor and it worked better than any other med ever did. I felt WONDERFUL! But then I started having trouble sleeping...fall asleep easily but wake after about 4 hours and be on the go non-stop all day. Instead of getting really tired in the afternoon or early evening like I have before when depressed and experiencing insomnia, I'd still be going up till midnight, go to bed and start all over again. I also started at least 15 different projects and spent a lot of money that I didn't have. I'm always a bit irritable at times (I also have low blood sugar and endometriosis...I dont' know if it's all related or separate problems that impact each other or both) I raised concerns about the above behavior with my last doctor. He said it sounded like hypomania but wasn't too concerned. I switched doctors this fall (long story but basically I didn't feel comfortable with last doc and he wasn't very consistent with getting back to me when I was in a crisis) Anyway, I started with new doc this fall. I have a history of major depression in the fall (generally Aug thru Jan) This pattern has occurred pretty regularly over the past ten years. I have had depressive episodes at other times of the year that were related to situations (living out-of-state with no family or friends around; conflict with maid-of-honor a few months before wedding, etc) Anyway, I have also had problems with spending from time to time over the past several years. The notion of bipolar has been in the back of my mind but I didn't want to accept it (I guess it sounded more "crazy") Also, I didnt' think I had full blown manic episodes and my main problem is depression. I had never heard of Bipolar II until my doc mentioned it a couple weeks ago when I brought up concerns about sleep, having trouble coming back down when I get upset/angry, spending etc. But it really makes sense. Maybe this new diagnosis will lead to treatment that will help keep me on an even keel throughout the year. that would be so wonderful and such a relief. Esp since we are planning to start a family soon (adoption. I've come to the conclusion that it's a bad idea to go off meds completely which is what I would want to do during pregnancy given risks etc. plus I figure I'm high risk for postpartum depression, plus other health concerns) I want to be able to manage my life and take care of myself so that I will be able to take care of a child.
Anyway, right now I am on Effexor 225 mg, Synthroid 100mg and Seroquel 50mg. My doc started me on this combo in late Sept because he said for my type of problem (chronic depression in which I had tried several meds and maxed out a couple of them) one med alone wouldn't do it. I would need to augment with another med. We chose to start Seroquel because I was falling apart and having trouble functioning at work and it acts quickly. I have also always been borderline on thyroid (very low) so the long-term plan was to start tx for thyroid and then once I was doing better, back off on the seroquel and see if augmenting with thyroid meds is enough. Well, we are planning on changing tactics but not till after the holidays. I'm doing pretty well now...though a little hypomanic...not too bad though. Keeping spending in check, sleeping reasonably well, occasionally a little down or anxious but overall pretty good for this time of year. Anyway, the plan is to dc the Seroquel and Synthroid and add Lamictal. Continue with Effexor until Lamictal is at therapeutic level and then start decreasing Effexor. He said I may be only on Lamictal when all is said and done or may still need some of the Effexor to deal with depression.
Has anyone had similar experience? Sorry this is so rambling. I wanted to fill in some of the background in hopes that maybe someone would recognize themselves in what I said and could offer advice or tell of their experiences with treatment. Or maybe Dr. Bob will recognize similarities with other patients he has treated. Any insight/info welcome.
Thanks
poster:Lyrical13
thread:289607
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20031213/msgs/289607.html