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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Minx on November 21, 2002, at 7:37:54
Wondering what is going on.
I've been diagnosed with Atypical depression (and Borderline PD), and I've been taking Parnate for about a year and a half. I also take Mellaril as needed (not every day).
Lately, I have been experiencing a number of the symptoms that go along with my AD. Eating too much (carbohydrate cravings - REALLY BAD). Inability to concentrate, and some generalized irritablilty. Getting really reactive, too (happy until you say the wrong thing, and the other way around) Diurnal inversion, which is getting worse. I have a lot of trouble getting going in the morning (until noon...), but as the day wears on, i wake up more and more, until it's time to go to bed, and I'm WIDE awake. This is getting bad, because I have to maintain a fairly constant daily schedule, and I'm not getting to sleep until 1-2 o'clock in the morning now. I could sleep all day, but once the sun goes down, I come to life. This is really bothering me...
But my mood (except for the volatility) is really pretty stable, that is, I'm reactive, but I'm not depressed. Most of the time I feel alright.
I guess I'm wondering if it's possible for my depression to be coming through without being depressed (as if that made any sense). SDoes it sound as if my Parnate dose should be be adjusted? I've mentioned this to my pdoc, and he says he trusts my assesment of how my meds are working. I can't say that it feels like MAOI tolerance, but there's SOMETHING going on.
Any one else have anything like this?(I'd rather not take sleeping pills, except in "emergencies". I'd rather track this down and "fix" it.)
Thanks for listening, and any input would be appreciated.
Posted by shar30906 on November 22, 2002, at 14:54:25
In reply to Depression symptoms without the depression?, posted by Minx on November 21, 2002, at 7:37:54
I feel like I just read the stor to my life! I'm 24 now and have been on anti depressants for 10nyears, but sadly not any one or combo has mad any real differance, it's been a hellish road to hoe! when I feel the way you've described and i take sleeping pills even more than perscribed, they don't even make a dent. I finally got to the point after several family menbers died that i couldn't function at all, and was flipping from depression to mania, and when i say mania, it wa what you described, not what you read about in books, about people who are sky high, euphoric, i cant relate to that at all. I believe that i have been misdiagnosed for the last 10 years, and if it had not been for the sad fast that i got to the point that i stoped functioning to the point that i was ready to commit my self i dont know if i would have3 ever got help, dont get me wrong, i'm still struggling every minute to get out of bed, to keep controll. to find out what is going on with you you have got to get some help from someone who you trust who is qualified, and your family doctor I dout will be able to do it for you. heck I let mine treat me for the last 10 years and would have continued to do so if not for my break down, even though i trust the man enough to let him do my pap smears. if you cAN keep a chart of your moods it will help your doctor alot it coosing meds for you but it takes about amonth for most of them to work. its very hard for me to rember that I didn't get this sick over night and i wont get better that quickly either. You must always rember that you are not Crazy, you are ill. and there is a very big difference, you obviusly want to get better and that is why you came here, and i have faith that we all will. you may want to look into a condition called manic depression or Bipolar disorder, your symptoms sounded very simular, please rember that i am not a dr and do not pretend to be, but I have done alot o0f reading over the years on many mental conditions. Bipolar is one of the hardest disorders to diagnose because the symptomes vary so much from person to person. also the same is true about depression. the hardest thing about taking meds for these illnesses for me is feeling like a lab rat, dr, taking their best guess at what will work. so you have to try your best to give them as much info about what you've been going though both in your life and emotionaly for them to help you. I highly recommend therapy, if cost is an issue, there are many free councling services out there, at curches, indigent programs at hospitals, and any dr. worth his salt would not turn a patient away that truly needed help.
if there is ever anything else i can do please never hesitate....
best wishes, good luck!!
shar30903
Posted by polarbear206 on November 22, 2002, at 16:39:22
In reply to Depression symptoms without the depression?, posted by Minx on November 21, 2002, at 7:37:54
> Wondering what is going on.
> I've been diagnosed with Atypical depression (and Borderline PD), and I've been taking Parnate for about a year and a half. I also take Mellaril as needed (not every day).
> Lately, I have been experiencing a number of the symptoms that go along with my AD. Eating too much (carbohydrate cravings - REALLY BAD). Inability to concentrate, and some generalized irritablilty. Getting really reactive, too (happy until you say the wrong thing, and the other way around) Diurnal inversion, which is getting worse. I have a lot of trouble getting going in the morning (until noon...), but as the day wears on, i wake up more and more, until it's time to go to bed, and I'm WIDE awake. This is getting bad, because I have to maintain a fairly constant daily schedule, and I'm not getting to sleep until 1-2 o'clock in the morning now. I could sleep all day, but once the sun goes down, I come to life. This is really bothering me...
> But my mood (except for the volatility) is really pretty stable, that is, I'm reactive, but I'm not depressed. Most of the time I feel alright.
> I guess I'm wondering if it's possible for my depression to be coming through without being depressed (as if that made any sense). SDoes it sound as if my Parnate dose should be be adjusted? I've mentioned this to my pdoc, and he says he trusts my assesment of how my meds are working. I can't say that it feels like MAOI tolerance, but there's SOMETHING going on.
> Any one else have anything like this?
>
> (I'd rather not take sleeping pills, except in "emergencies". I'd rather track this down and "fix" it.)
>
> Thanks for listening, and any input would be appreciatMinx,
Many of us bipolars who post here have atypical depression with our low's. What you have said above is what I have gone through. Maoi's are superior to other ad's for treatment of this kind of depression. A mood stablizer in addition to your maoi will probably alleviate much of your atypical depression symptoms. When I would get like this, I didn't have the "mental" depression. It was the physical atypical symptoms that were overwhelming. This also tends to happen more in the winter with me. You may also want to look in to light therapy. You most likely have a mild bipolar spectrum disorder. I'm surprised that you doctor didn't pick up on this.
Laura
Posted by polarbear206 on November 22, 2002, at 16:47:49
In reply to Re: Depression symptoms without the depression? , posted by polarbear206 on November 22, 2002, at 16:39:22
> > Wondering what is going on.
> > I've been diagnosed with Atypical depression (and Borderline PD), and I've been taking Parnate for about a year and a half. I also take Mellaril as needed (not every day).
> > Lately, I have been experiencing a number of the symptoms that go along with my AD. Eating too much (carbohydrate cravings - REALLY BAD). Inability to concentrate, and some generalized irritablilty. Getting really reactive, too (happy until you say the wrong thing, and the other way around) Diurnal inversion, which is getting worse. I have a lot of trouble getting going in the morning (until noon...), but as the day wears on, i wake up more and more, until it's time to go to bed, and I'm WIDE awake. This is getting bad, because I have to maintain a fairly constant daily schedule, and I'm not getting to sleep until 1-2 o'clock in the morning now. I could sleep all day, but once the sun goes down, I come to life. This is really bothering me...
> > But my mood (except for the volatility) is really pretty stable, that is, I'm reactive, but I'm not depressed. Most of the time I feel alright.
> > I guess I'm wondering if it's possible for my depression to be coming through without being depressed (as if that made any sense). SDoes it sound as if my Parnate dose should be be adjusted? I've mentioned this to my pdoc, and he says he trusts my assesment of how my meds are working. I can't say that it feels like MAOI tolerance, but there's SOMETHING going on.
> > Any one else have anything like this?
> >
> > (I'd rather not take sleeping pills, except in "emergencies". I'd rather track this down and "fix" it.)
> >
> > Thanks for listening, and any input would be appreciat
>
>
>
> Minx,
>
> Many of us bipolars who post here have atypical depression with our low's. What you have said above is what I have gone through. Maoi's are superior to other ad's for treatment of this kind of depression. A mood stablizer in addition to your maoi will probably alleviate much of your atypical depression symptoms. When I would get like this, I didn't have the "mental" depression. It was the physical atypical symptoms that were overwhelming. This also tends to happen more in the winter with me. You may also want to look in to light therapy. You most likely have a mild bipolar spectrum disorder. I'm surprised that you doctor didn't pick up on this.
>
> Laura
Here is a informative site that will shed some light on your illness.
Posted by Alara on November 22, 2002, at 19:12:20
In reply to Re: Depression symptoms without the depression? , posted by polarbear206 on November 22, 2002, at 16:47:49
Minx, I totally relate. Strangely, antidepressants (first Prothiaden and later Effexor) only seemed to make my hypersomnia worse. I have been off ADs since August and have been taking St Johns Wort and Vitamin B complex for the last 6.5 weeks. Well, you'd never believe this but since I started on this regime, I have naturally cut my sleep requirements down from 16 hours a day to 10 hours a day! For the first time in years, I am getting out of bed NATURALLY at 8am instead of being stuck in a groggy sleep until the early afternoon...I am also about to get a full-time job and feel confident about my ability to function like a normal person for the first time in years!
Minx, I too had the problem of waking up gradually as the day progressed, being fully awake at the time that I was supposed to go to sleep. I used to medicate that with caffeine (in the morning) and alcohol (to wind down at night). I am finding that I am developing a more typical `human' body clock on the SJW.I am still highly strung by nature and have difficulties winding down after a stressful day. To counter this problem, I first take a shower and have herbal tea. (Lemon and ginger is excellent.) I also make an effort to think my way through any problems using cognitive-behavioural techniques. (It's amazing how calming this can be!) If I am still winding up and am doubtful about my ability to fall asleep at a normal time, I take a Xanax. (I can always be sure that the Xanax will work when I need it most because I avoid building up a tolerance by only using it when I really need it.)
Why does St Johns work for me? That's an interesting question. It's possible that it is good for atypical depression because it acts like a MAO inhibitor.
Hope this helps. :-)
Alara
Posted by Michael D on November 24, 2002, at 12:17:40
In reply to Depression symptoms without the depression?, posted by Minx on November 21, 2002, at 7:37:54
> I guess I'm wondering if it's possible for my depression to be coming through without being depressed (as if that made any sense).
It sounds a lot like the way I feel about my 'depression'. The depression is just covering up what's underneath.
Having tried Paxil, Celexa, Effexor XR, Serzone and Remeron, I've come to the conclusion that I don't need ADs!
I'm currently trying Zyprexa. I had read some things about Schizophrenia, and other ilnesses that are treated with anti-psychotics, and thought that I might be a candidate.
Having been on Zyprexa for two days, I'm now questioning that.
Michael Dewolf
Posted by Michael D on November 24, 2002, at 12:29:34
In reply to Re: Depression symptoms without the depression?, posted by shar30906 on November 22, 2002, at 14:54:25
> I'm 24 now and have been on anti depressants for 10nyears, but sadly not any one or combo has mad any real differance,
This really hit home with me. I have been struggling for some time with depression, and other mental problems. I don't think I need a whole lot of help, I just need the right med. Ibeleive if I treat my underlying anxiety that the depression will go away. The problem is that anti-anxiety meds seem to numb me out so much.
Michael Dewolf
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