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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ron Jones on November 3, 2003, at 23:27:26
How many people with bipolar illness go into remission and how long does it last.Remission as in free of all symptoms.Does it ever happen with lithium or depokate ?I know of no one myself who has.
Posted by memma on November 4, 2003, at 10:39:43
In reply to Remission rate for manic depression ?, posted by Ron Jones on November 3, 2003, at 23:27:26
> How many people with bipolar illness go into remission and how long does it last.Remission as in free of all symptoms.Does it ever happen with lithium or depokate ?I know of no one myself who has.
From The Online Medical Dictionary:
"remission"
<oncology> A complete or partial disappearance of the signs and symptoms of disease in response to treatment. The period during which a disease is under control. A remission, however, is not necessarily a cure.Origin: L. Remissio
Therefore, I think many bipolar patients have gone "into remission" by taking depakote or lithium.
-memma
Posted by Emme on November 4, 2003, at 17:29:54
In reply to Remission rate for manic depression ?, posted by Ron Jones on November 3, 2003, at 23:27:26
Well, I know one individual who has a Bipolar 1 history - unmistakable - complete with a couple of hospital stays. This person's illness manifested itself during her first year in college. She stopped taking medication while still in college and has remained off of all medications for upwards of 15 years. No alternative remedies either.
She hit what seems to have been some seasonal depression a couple of times but was able to deal with it via a light box and exercise. That's it. No major difficulties. I honestly can't figure it out because her experience flies in the face of medical wisdom, kindling theories, etc., as well as the experiences of some of my other friends with mood disorders.
Posted by platinumbride on November 6, 2003, at 9:53:09
In reply to Re: Remission rate for manic depression ?, posted by Emme on November 4, 2003, at 17:29:54
This is a subject that is pretty close to my heart...
Both my brother and his father have the awful and nasty Bipolar I that made each of them psychotic during their worst times.
My dad (brother's biological, but not mine) dealt with serious symptoms for at least 10 years. (Back then, and in a third world country it was just schizophrenia -- period) Lots of thorazine, lots of rest and lots of extended family support (like put him to work on the farm and have 12 big uncles and cousins watching him) helped him while he was in his own country.When he came to the US, he had more episodes, blah blah......he, as a physician, learned to manage his own disease, even prescribing himsel thorazine when he had to, and avoiding every possible trigger. Honestly, he has not been in a hospital or straight jacket or on any major tranqulizers for over 30 years.
My brother has been in his remission for over 10 years, but with lithium and zyprexa, and again, avoidance of triggers. He was dangerous and psychotic as well.
I guess in their cases there is a lot of luck involved as well as dilligent monitoring of early signs like inability to sleep.
So, I have seen very long term remissions from both ends of their respective BP symptoms. I feel pretty happy about that.
Diane
This is the end of the thread.
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