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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 Janelle on June 25, 2001, at 22:36:40
I have yet to read or hear about a med "specifically" tailored for hypomania. I'm curious because this bout I'm having with depression (and anxiety), my pdoc feels may have been preceded by a period of hypoMANIA (hard to distinguish if it was just extreme obssessive thoughts and actions or if it was possibly exacerbated by being on Paxil a VERY long time). Looking back, it sure seems like it was hypomania to me.
I'm now in process of switching to Effexor from Celexa (the latter did NOTHING for the depression and seemed to make me more agitated and restless), but don't want the A-D to make any mania return. Wondering what, if any, meds there might be for Hypomania.
Posted by Glenn Fagelson on June 25, 2001, at 23:05:02
In reply to What meds help with HYPOMANIA?, posted by Janelle on June 25, 2001, at 22:36:40
> I have yet to read or hear about a med "specifically" tailored for hypomania. I'm curious because this bout I'm having with depression (and anxiety), my pdoc feels may have been preceded by a period of hypoMANIA (hard to distinguish if it was just extreme obssessive thoughts and actions or if it was possibly exacerbated by being on Paxil a VERY long time). Looking back, it sure seems like it was hypomania to me.
>
> I'm now in process of switching to Effexor from Celexa (the latter did NOTHING for the depression and seemed to make me more agitated and restless), but don't want the A-D to make any mania return. Wondering what, if any, meds there might be for Hypomania.Hi Janelle,
Paxil caused me to become hypomanic. Have you
have tried small doses of Neurontin ( a mood
stabilizer)?Glenn
Posted by SalArmy4me on June 26, 2001, at 7:26:38
In reply to What meds help with HYPOMANIA?, posted by Janelle on June 25, 2001, at 22:36:40
One of the signs of bipolarity is a "selectively better response to Effexor": http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Possible-indications-of-bi.html
Posted by Kingfish on June 26, 2001, at 18:17:32
In reply to Re: What meds help with HYPOMANIA?, posted by SalArmy4me on June 26, 2001, at 7:26:38
That was a really helpful link, thanks.
One of the signs of bipolarity is a "selectively better response to Effexor": http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Possible-indications-of-bi.html
Posted by AMenz on June 27, 2001, at 11:03:10
In reply to What meds help with HYPOMANIA?, posted by Janelle on June 25, 2001, at 22:36:40
Mood stabilizers. I personally think either lithium or depakote augmented by second and third line anti convulsants.
What precisely are your symptoms of hypomania though? Are you sure you're a bipolar. Obsessive compulsive symptoms are more related to a comorbid anxiety disorder.
I have had some really bad diagnosticians make sure you have a good one. If not sure go for a second opinion.
Because of transference people rarely go to a second opinion before embarking on a course of medication which is may not be indicated in their case. It happenned to me. It's taken me two years to get back to functioning.
> I have yet to read or hear about a med "specifically" tailored for hypomania. I'm curious because this bout I'm having with depression (and anxiety), my pdoc feels may have been preceded by a period of hypoMANIA (hard to distinguish if it was just extreme obssessive thoughts and actions or if it was possibly exacerbated by being on Paxil a VERY long time). Looking back, it sure seems like it was hypomania to me.
>
> I'm now in process of switching to Effexor from Celexa (the latter did NOTHING for the depression and seemed to make me more agitated and restless), but don't want the A-D to make any mania return. Wondering what, if any, meds there might be for Hypomania.
Posted by eoflaherty on June 29, 2001, at 17:52:12
In reply to What meds help with HYPOMANIA?, posted by Janelle on June 25, 2001, at 22:36:40
> I have yet to read or hear about a med "specifically" tailored for hypomania. I'm curious because this bout I'm having with depression (and anxiety), my pdoc feels may have been preceded by a period of hypoMANIA (hard to distinguish if it was just extreme obssessive thoughts and actions or if it was possibly exacerbated by being on Paxil a VERY long time). Looking back, it sure seems like it was hypomania to me.
>
> I'm now in process of switching to Effexor from Celexa (the latter did NOTHING for the depression and seemed to make me more agitated and restless), but don't want the A-D to make any mania return. Wondering what, if any, meds there might be for Hypomania.>Consider omega-3 fish oil in any type of bipolar.Since the original article in Archives of General Psychiatry in May 99 it has been used by a growing number of patients to good effect.There is though a very small chance that it will induce full-blown mania as it has an anti-depressant as well as a mood-stabilising effect.A dose of 3-10 g daily (the total of EPA and DHA in the capsules)is commonly used and it is usually added to your present medications.No prescription is needed for it.
Posted by Else on June 30, 2001, at 20:11:46
In reply to Re: What meds help with HYPOMANIA?, posted by eoflaherty on June 29, 2001, at 17:52:12
Isn't hypomania supposed to be fun? I've been hypomanic a few times because of meds and I was very unhappy when it ended. Just an observation.
Posted by geekUK on July 1, 2001, at 4:23:54
In reply to Re: What meds help with HYPOMANIA?, posted by Else on June 30, 2001, at 20:11:46
> Isn't hypomania supposed to be fun? I've been hypomanic a few times because of meds and I was very unhappy when it ended. Just an observation.
when i feel partcularly energised sometimes it comes in an angry flavour. allso sometimes makes it very hard to sleep. sometimes I have heard all that i have to say but my brain still keeps yaping on, hard to relax.
but it also can make life look like you are walking in a monet painting- which is not only fun but damn well 'spirtual'
M
Posted by Else on July 1, 2001, at 10:00:38
In reply to Re: What meds help with HYPOMANIA? » Else, posted by geekUK on July 1, 2001, at 4:23:54
> > Isn't hypomania supposed to be fun? I've been hypomanic a few times because of meds and I was very unhappy when it ended. Just an observation.
>
> when i feel partcularly energised sometimes it comes in an angry flavour. allso sometimes makes it very hard to sleep. sometimes I have heard all that i have to say but my brain still keeps yaping on, hard to relax.
> but it also can make life look like you are walking in a monet painting- which is not only fun but damn well 'spirtual
M
Point well taken. It's only happenned to me twice, for about four or five days each time. I guess if it happenned more often it could become a nuisance.
Posted by MM on July 2, 2001, at 4:22:38
In reply to Re: What meds help with HYPOMANIA?, posted by Else on July 1, 2001, at 10:00:38
I don't have a whole lot of fun when I'm "hypomanic", it's more irritable, brain won't shut up, can be spiritual, but I still wouldn't call it fun. I guess all I have is that damn mixed episode BS.
Posted by super on July 3, 2001, at 9:09:23
In reply to Re: What meds help with HYPOMANIA?, posted by MM on July 2, 2001, at 4:22:38
I don't like the feeling of being out of control that goes with hypomania for me.
> I don't have a whole lot of fun when I'm "hypomanic", it's more irritable, brain won't shut up, can be spiritual, but I still wouldn't call it fun. I guess all I have is that damn mixed episode BS.
Posted by dreamer on July 6, 2001, at 16:46:45
In reply to Re: What meds help with HYPOMANIA?, posted by Else on July 1, 2001, at 10:00:38
> > > Isn't hypomania supposed to be fun? I've been hypomanic a few times because of meds and I was very unhappy when it ended. Just an observation.
> >
> > when i feel partcularly energised sometimes it comes in an angry flavour. allso sometimes makes it very hard to sleep. sometimes I have heard all that i have to say but my brain still keeps yaping on, hard to relax.
> > but it also can make life look like you are walking in a monet painting- which is not only fun but damn well 'spirtual
> M
>
>
> Point well taken. It's only happenned to me twice, for about four or five days each time. I guess if it happenned more often it could become a nuisance.Hypomania for me is only a nuisance on the ride down-paranioa anger irritation and other nasty tings especially realisations of behaviour. Euphoric hypomania is like a drug you want it forever and damn the responsibilities.
The spiritual thing is sooo good.
Posted by geekUK on July 7, 2001, at 4:05:03
In reply to Re: What meds help with HYPOMANIA?, posted by dreamer on July 6, 2001, at 16:46:45
nice to have you back D.
MC
Posted by Wendy B. on July 8, 2001, at 9:39:48
In reply to Re: What meds help with HYPOMANIA? » dreamer, posted by geekUK on July 7, 2001, at 4:05:03
Just my 2 cents, but:
the reason it's important to get the hypomania
under control, is because some research suggests
(see the About.com pg on Bipolar) that your brain
gets used to the patterns of hypomania, which makes
you even more susceptible to more episodes, which can then sometimes,
when left untreated or undertreated,
lead to a full-blown manic (sometimes referred to
as psychotic) episode. I'm not explaining it well,
so do look up the theoretical explanation or model,
it's called kindling. It makes sense to me.
You don't want to go into that truly manic zone. Not unless
you enjoy police coming to pick you up
because you've been walking the streets ranting &
raving, or naked, or both. Believe me, I've seen
it, you don't want to go to the hospital, not like
that.If the hypomania is florid, I guess lithium and
depakote are the winners. Although the anti-convulsants like neurontin, lamictal, or
topiramate would be good to try alone, if you're
just starting to have episodes, and not worried about going too high.The highs are good, but my therp/pdoc says pretty
dangerous if left untreated.Best of luck to everybody...
Posted by Zo on July 13, 2001, at 16:31:37
In reply to What meds help with HYPOMANIA?, posted by Janelle on June 25, 2001, at 22:36:40
To repeat post on another thread: my very reliable pdoc has just put me on an Omega-3 regimen for Bipolar II he says is effective in about 75% of his cases, and does no harm in the rest!
BUT, the ratio of EPA to DHA must be 2 to 1, which is apparently hard to find. .. avail. online at omegabrite.com, maybe elsewhere.
Week 1 = 4 caps 2x day
Week 2 = 5 " "
Week 3 = 6 " "
with results normally showing btwn. week 2 and 3.Effective dose range is btwn. 2.5 to 6 gms EPA daily.
The EPA is also an antidepressant.
I'm just starting, let me know results if anyone else tries!Good Luck,
Zo
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