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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ciaolavida on July 20, 2006, at 16:55:28
Is there something to take specifically for bipolar? Or once I'm stable am I supposed to be not angry anymore?
Posted by SLS on July 20, 2006, at 17:23:27
In reply to bipolar anger, posted by ciaolavida on July 20, 2006, at 16:55:28
> Is there something to take specifically for bipolar? Or once I'm stable am I supposed to be not angry anymore?
It is very possible that any inappropriate or excessive anger you experience is a feature of bipolar disorder, and that it will resolve once the cycling is brought under control. One of the better mood stabilizers for anger and impulse control is Tegretol (carbamazepine). Its cousin drug, Trileptal (oxcarbazepine), is being used more recently because it produces less sedation and cognititive side-effects. However, I don't know to what degree it has proven itself. I like the drug.
Does the anger appear more on the way down than on the way up?
- Scott
Posted by Maximus on July 20, 2006, at 17:28:00
In reply to bipolar anger, posted by ciaolavida on July 20, 2006, at 16:55:28
> Is there something to take specifically for bipolar? Or once I'm stable am I supposed to be not angry anymore?
Hi Ciaolavida,Hum, anger goes hand in hand with bipolar disorder and/or borderline disorder. I think you are taking the combo Lithium and Lamictal. I'm taking the same combo. Very often, residual symptoms don't go away by themselves. Thus taking temporarily an atypical antipsychotic, like Abilify or Seroquel, is necessary. Anger, anxiety, rage, insomnia, agitation can be treated with an AP as add-on.
Otherwise be sure to have a good level of Lithium, 0.8. Don't raise the dose of Lamictal too quickly. Lamictal is somewhat stimulating and can be anxiogenic.
Good luck!
Posted by ciaolavida on July 20, 2006, at 17:35:22
In reply to Re: bipolar anger, posted by SLS on July 20, 2006, at 17:23:27
I am about to have a SERIOUS talk with my doctor next week about the drugs I'm on. Lithium and lamictal. Ok, fine lithium for the mania. Yes, I need it. Is it working? Not really, but I'm just now on night 2, 900 mg. Lamictal for depression... I'm at 300 mg. Is it working? Absolutely not. The cycling has gotten so fast SO fast I think it's just starting to mix together. Anger on the way up, anger on the way down. I'm just ANGRY! And I'm not getting anything for rapid cycling and I'm not getting anything for anger. If I could just be only depressed for a few weeks or only manic for a few weeks then OK fine I could handle that, but this I CANNOT HANDLE.!!>!!
Ps. Sorry, I'm going crazy. Thanks for your advice.
> It is very possible that any inappropriate or excessive anger you experience is a feature of bipolar disorder, and that it will resolve once the cycling is brought under control. One of the better mood stabilizers for anger and impulse control is Tegretol (carbamazepine). Its cousin drug, Trileptal (oxcarbazepine), is being used more recently because it produces less sedation and cognititive side-effects. However, I don't know to what degree it has proven itself. I like the drug.
>
> Does the anger appear more on the way down than on the way up?
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by ciaolavida on July 20, 2006, at 17:39:12
In reply to Re: bipolar anger » ciaolavida, posted by Maximus on July 20, 2006, at 17:28:00
Hi!
Hmmm maybe I'm borderline? I really don't think so but it's always a possibility, I guee. You're right, I am taking the lithium lamictal power combo (wow, you're on top of things!) Does lamictal work for your depression? I'm at 300 mg and it hasn't kicked in yet! I'm getting worried. As for lithium... 900 mg woo hoo! He didn't get blood testing done yet sooo I have no idea what the blood levels are.
I don't handle the antipsychotics well. I've tried risperdal, seroquel, abilify. They all make me super extremely sick. So I try to avoid them at all costs.
I think I felt better before I got on any of these drugs. Not to say I was feeling well, but better. So maybeeee I should just quit this all together! Now there's something to think about.
>
> Hi Ciaolavida,
>
> Hum, anger goes hand in hand with bipolar disorder and/or borderline disorder. I think you are taking the combo Lithium and Lamictal. I'm taking the same combo. Very often, residual symptoms don't go away by themselves. Thus taking temporarily an atypical antipsychotic, like Abilify or Seroquel, is necessary. Anger, anxiety, rage, insomnia, agitation can be treated with an AP as add-on.
>
> Otherwise be sure to have a good level of Lithium, 0.8. Don't raise the dose of Lamictal too quickly. Lamictal is somewhat stimulating and can be anxiogenic.
>
> Good luck!
>
>
Posted by Maximus on July 20, 2006, at 18:07:17
In reply to Re: bipolar anger, posted by ciaolavida on July 20, 2006, at 17:39:12
Well, 900 mg of lithium does tell us nothing. Lithium level in the blood is required, close to 0.8 if possible. If Lamictal was introduced too soon and too fast then it can induced hypomania.
Lamictal as antidepressant is not strong enough, i have to take with it an antidepressant, effexor.
Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on July 20, 2006, at 20:55:02
In reply to Re: bipolar anger » ciaolavida, posted by Maximus on July 20, 2006, at 17:28:00
Maximus that's strange as I take my lamictal at night and sleep fine with valium or any other benzo. But my dose is not high and is being used as an augmenter for depression. Love Phillipa
Posted by Tomatheus on July 20, 2006, at 23:50:39
In reply to Re: bipolar anger » SLS, posted by ciaolavida on July 20, 2006, at 17:35:22
Ciaolavida,
For what it's worth, lithium made me *extremely* angry when I took it as monotherapy. I was partially responsive and only moderately anxious when I took lithium with Wellbutrin. I was doing this for about a year. But at some point I couldn't afford the Wellbutrin anymore and decided to stop taking it. For a few weeks after discontinuing the Wellbutrin, I felt basically the same as I did when I was taking both the lithium and the Wellbutrin. Slowly, but surely, though, my anxiety ended up going through the roof, and my anger was uncontrollable (note: I am not normally like this).
My diagnoses (for the record) have been dysthymia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder - recurrent.
For some patients with a bipolar diagnosis, lithium works extraordinarily well. But this is not the case for everyone. More specifically, I have read that lithium tends to be more effective in those who experience relatively long-lasting episodes of endogenous mania and depression than those who are "rapid cyclers." Of course, that doesn't meant that there necessarily can't be any exceptions. I guess I'm just trying to say that it's important to understand that lithium is not universally effective in everybody with a "bipolar" diagnosis.
As far as your anger goes, to what extent has your anger worsened since you started taking lithium? I'm not saying that the lithium is *definitely* the culprit, but if your anger became noticeably worse right after you started taking the lithium, it *could* be the culprit, and I think it's definitely something that you should talk to your doctor about.
I hope this helps some.
Tomatheus
> I am about to have a SERIOUS talk with my doctor next week about the drugs I'm on. Lithium and lamictal. Ok, fine lithium for the mania. Yes, I need it. Is it working? Not really, but I'm just now on night 2, 900 mg. Lamictal for depression... I'm at 300 mg. Is it working? Absolutely not. The cycling has gotten so fast SO fast I think it's just starting to mix together. Anger on the way up, anger on the way down. I'm just ANGRY! And I'm not getting anything for rapid cycling and I'm not getting anything for anger. If I could just be only depressed for a few weeks or only manic for a few weeks then OK fine I could handle that, but this I CANNOT HANDLE.!!>!!
Posted by ciaolavida on July 21, 2006, at 8:28:49
In reply to Re: bipolar anger » ciaolavida, posted by Tomatheus on July 20, 2006, at 23:50:39
Thomathues-
Actually, I just started lithium three days ago and my anger started long before then. Maybe it's the lamictal causing anger as I've been on it for 7 weeks. Has anyone heard of that?
Also... (this is kind of a girl topic) but I'm wondering if the week before my menstrual cycle is particularly bad as far as angry and depression, which is something I'm looking into.
Posted by Tomatheus on July 21, 2006, at 22:23:57
In reply to Re: bipolar anger » Tomatheus, posted by ciaolavida on July 21, 2006, at 8:28:49
Ciaolavida,
See below for my responses...
Tomatheus
> Actually, I just started lithium three days ago and my anger started long before then. Maybe it's the lamictal causing anger as I've been on it for 7 weeks. Has anyone heard of that?
I do not have any personal experience with Lamictal, so unfortunately, my knowledge of the drug's effects is rather limited. But after doing a quick search of the Psycho-Babble archives, I was able to find a couple of threads on the topic that you may find to be helpful:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031225/msgs/294544.html
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050901/msgs/552016.html
> Also... (this is kind of a girl topic) but I'm wondering if the week before my menstrual cycle is particularly bad as far as angry and depression, which is something I'm looking into.
Unfortunately, being a guy, my knowledge as it relates to this topic is also rather limited. However, it is my understanding that estrogen has been shown to enhance the activity of serotonin, and low serotonin levels have definitely been shown to be correlated with both depression and anger.
So, I think it's quite possible that there could be a connection between your "cycle" and symptoms of anger and depression. And I certainly think that it's something that's worth looking into further.
Tomatheus
Posted by fuchsia on July 22, 2006, at 7:07:21
In reply to Re: bipolar anger » Tomatheus, posted by ciaolavida on July 21, 2006, at 8:28:49
> Also... (this is kind of a girl topic) but I'm wondering if the week before my menstrual cycle is particularly bad as far as angry and depression, which is something I'm looking into.Yes definitely. I am bipolar and I have that with my cycles. I have read that this is a common thing with bipolar.
Posted by Maxime on July 23, 2006, at 2:36:24
In reply to bipolar anger, posted by ciaolavida on July 20, 2006, at 16:55:28
> Is there something to take specifically for bipolar? Or once I'm stable am I supposed to be not angry anymore?
Maybe your anger is not part of your bipolar disease. If it IS, then you are not stable.
I've heard that Tegretol is good for treating anger/rage that often comes with bipolar disease.
Maxime
Posted by Maxime on July 23, 2006, at 2:38:24
In reply to Re: bipolar anger » ciaolavida, posted by Maxime on July 23, 2006, at 2:36:24
> > Is there something to take specifically for bipolar? Or once I'm stable am I supposed to be not angry anymore?
>
> Maybe your anger is not part of your bipolar disease. If it IS, then you are not stable.
>
> I've heard that Tegretol is good for treating anger/rage that often comes with bipolar disease.
>
> Maxime
>*blushes* I should have read the replies before I replied. SLS already told you about Tegretol.
Maxime
Posted by SLS on July 23, 2006, at 10:15:13
In reply to Re: bipolar anger » Maxime, posted by Maxime on July 23, 2006, at 2:38:24
> *blushes* I should have read the replies before I replied. SLS already told you about Tegretol.
>
> Maxime
I doesn't hurt to have two geniuses in the room.:-)
- Scott
Posted by Maxime on July 23, 2006, at 13:00:22
In reply to Re: bipolar anger » Maxime, posted by SLS on July 23, 2006, at 10:15:13
> > *blushes* I should have read the replies before I replied. SLS already told you about Tegretol.
> >
> > Maxime
>
>
> I doesn't hurt to have two geniuses in the room.
>
> :-)
>
>
> - Scott
>True. Two MODEST geniuses. Although ... genius is just one step away from insanity! But we are smart enough to know better. *cheeky grin*
Maxime
Posted by ciaolavida on July 23, 2006, at 19:37:19
In reply to Re: bipolar anger » ciaolavida, posted by Maxime on July 23, 2006, at 2:36:24
No, I was rarely angry before I was bipolar.
This is the end of the thread.
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