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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 jumpy on March 15, 2003, at 15:02:19
Hey Everyone,
Bipolar II and the spectrum disorders have been debated quite extensively recently here on the board. I have always been very interested in bipolar, bipolar II, bipolar spectrum, etc. After years of confusion about "the bipolar spectrum" and "bipolar II", I finally now understand it. I just finished reading Kay Jamison's books "Touched with Fire" and "An Unquiet Mind" and all the issues around unipolar and bipolar disease finally make sense.
It is really hard to explain the theory and practical reality of bipolar disease. But I think if anyone is confused, these two books explain the issues clearly and concretely.
Jumpy
Posted by jay on March 15, 2003, at 15:35:57
In reply to Understanding Bipolar and the Spectrum Disorders , posted by jumpy on March 15, 2003, at 15:02:19
Thanks..and even if everyone may not agree, I believe Dr. Phelps site, http://www.psycheducation.org/
is quite an interesting read. Many seem to think he makes blanket statements, but actually he has a LOT of *exceptions* to his particular treatments. I personally also think that rapid cycling can take place in non-BP diagnosed folks..as in so-called 'unipolar' depressives. I think that may be part of the reason so many unipolars often have a difficult time, at one point or another, with their antidepressant. In fact I think that possibly a long acting benzo like clonazepam, which is also used in BP, often treats the rapid-cycling-type episodes in Dx'ed 'unipolar' depression.(Especially dysphoric anxiety moods) IMHO...etc..Jay
Posted by Mandy on March 15, 2003, at 16:58:46
In reply to Re: Understanding Bipolar and the Spectrum Disorders » jumpy, posted by jay on March 15, 2003, at 15:35:57
I have over dosed in May for the past two years, last year was quite severe. I have seen several docs and noone agrees on whether or not I am bipolar or just resistant depression. I am now taking 20 mg lexapro, 200mg seroquel and doc just started on 4 mg gabitril. I do not think the gabitril does anything. I have a very hard at night in getting and staying asleep. It seems that at this time of year, I start ruminating on all that I did not do in my life and that everyone would be better without me (I really have done some good things-I am a pediatric nurse, raised a child with autism, been married 34 years, and am kind and compassionate.) But I see none of that when I get in a suicidal mood. Are there any other drugs that might help? I tried tegretol and trileptal and they were disasters. What is duloxetine and is it available in the US? Any other suggestions please. I do not want to be in the hospital again. PS I also take klonopin but I am not sure it does anything. I have anxiety and crying spells about once a week
Posted by zenclear on March 15, 2003, at 17:39:13
In reply to Help. I am getting into bad time of year SUICIDE, posted by Mandy on March 15, 2003, at 16:58:46
> I have over dosed in May for the past two years, last year was quite severe. I have seen several docs and noone agrees on whether or not I am bipolar or just resistant depression. I am now taking 20 mg lexapro, 200mg seroquel and doc just started on 4 mg gabitril. I do not think the gabitril does anything. I have a very hard at night in getting and staying asleep. It seems that at this time of year, I start ruminating on all that I did not do in my life and that everyone would be better without me (I really have done some good things-I am a pediatric nurse, raised a child with autism, been married 34 years, and am kind and compassionate.) But I see none of that when I get in a suicidal mood. Are there any other drugs that might help? I tried tegretol and trileptal and they were disasters. What is duloxetine and is it available in the US? Any other suggestions please. I do not want to be in the hospital again. PS I also take klonopin but I am not sure it does anything. I have anxiety and crying spells about once a week
Is hormone replacement an option? Certainly, menopauasal Sx can excerbate one's misery.
Posted by KrissyP on March 15, 2003, at 17:59:19
In reply to Re: Understanding Bipolar and the Spectrum Disorders » jumpy, posted by jay on March 15, 2003, at 15:35:57
Hi Jay, I agree with you here concerning cycling in most BP's, and even in unipolar patients. You mention Klonoin in treating the rapid-cycling-type episodes. Why do you think? I take it and it definately helps my depression and to sleep. Also, what are your thoughts on Clonezapam working on depression?
Thanks
Kristen
==================================================================================================> Thanks..and even if everyone may not agree, I believe Dr. Phelps site, http://www.psycheducation.org/
> is quite an interesting read. Many seem to think he makes blanket statements, but actually he has a LOT of *exceptions* to his particular treatments. I personally also think that rapid cycling can take place in non-BP diagnosed folks..as in so-called 'unipolar' depressives. I think that may be part of the reason so many unipolars often have a difficult time, at one point or another, with their antidepressant. In fact I think that possibly a long acting benzo like clonazepam, which is also used in BP, often treats the rapid-cycling-type episodes in Dx'ed 'unipolar' depression.(Especially dysphoric anxiety moods) IMHO...etc..
>
> Jay
Posted by jumpy on March 15, 2003, at 19:08:01
In reply to Re: Understanding Bipolar and the Spectrum Disorders » jumpy, posted by jay on March 15, 2003, at 15:35:57
> Thanks..and even if everyone may not agree, I believe Dr. Phelps site, http://www.psycheducation.org/
> is quite an interesting read. Many seem to think he makes blanket statements, but actually he has a LOT of *exceptions* to his particular treatments. I personally also think that rapid cycling can take place in non-BP diagnosed folks..as in so-called 'unipolar' depressives. I think that may be part of the reason so many unipolars often have a difficult time, at one point or another, with their antidepressant. In fact I think that possibly a long acting benzo like clonazepam, which is also used in BP, often treats the rapid-cycling-type episodes in Dx'ed 'unipolar' depression.(Especially dysphoric anxiety moods) IMHO...etc..
>
> JayThanks for the info Jay ... I agree 100%. Yes, I love Dr. Phelp's site ... it really opened my eyes to bipolar II. I think there is to the one side bipolar I, in which people cycle both up to mania and down to depression. Related to bipolar I, but not as extreme is bipolar II with much less highs ... just hypomania and more depression. An then I think there are some people with a bipolar like disorder (maybe incomplete penetrance of the bipolar genes) with even less cycling then bipolar II, those that have productive periods (almost, but not quite reaching hypomanic states) and deep depression. I see these people *ALL THE TIME*. They are all over New York City where I once lived (or any big career driven city for that matter). They are the usual career sucessful, obsessive, highly productive types in business or doctors or lawyers or writer. This is where I fit in I think .... mood stablizer are too depressing to me .... klonopin and nardil seem to help the most (lots of gaba to provide mild mood stabization). My father is bipolar II and I seem to have inherited a very mild form of this.
Kay Jamison talks about these types and the true bipolars in "Touched with Fire". So many creative types have the bipolar spectrum which seem to confer them an advantage in life, periods of high productivity and creativeness. Unforunately, what comes up must come down ... and we also can get very very depressed.
I see the light finally! Thinks finally make some sense.
Thanks for the info Jay.
Jumpy
Posted by Ilene on March 15, 2003, at 23:45:26
In reply to Help. I am getting into bad time of year SUICIDE, posted by Mandy on March 15, 2003, at 16:58:46
> I have over dosed in May for the past two years, last year was quite severe. I have seen several docs and noone agrees on whether or not I am bipolar or just resistant depression. I am now taking 20 mg lexapro, 200mg seroquel and doc just started on 4 mg gabitril. I do not think the gabitril does anything. I have a very hard at night in getting and staying asleep. It seems that at this time of year, I start ruminating on all that I did not do in my life and that everyone would be better without me (I really have done some good things-I am a pediatric nurse, raised a child with autism, been married 34 years, and am kind and compassionate.) But I see none of that when I get in a suicidal mood. Are there any other drugs that might help? I tried tegretol and trileptal and they were disasters. What is duloxetine and is it available in the US? Any other suggestions please. I do not want to be in the hospital again. PS I also take klonopin but I am not sure it does anything. I have anxiety and crying spells about once a week
I also am somewhere between unipolar & BP. I started Lamictal (lamotrigine) a few months ago. It's another anti-seizure med that's being used off-label as a mood stabilizer. It seems to have fewer side effects than others, except you have to titrate up slowly because it occasionally causes a severe allergic reaction (Stevens-Johnson). This is the first non-AD I have taken and I seem to be getting a little boost from it.I take small amounts of neurontin & elavil at bedtime for sleep. Helps some.
Good luck.
--I.
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