Posted by Ted R on January 2, 2001, at 23:51:54
In reply to S.D.- some more thoughts, posted by judy1 on January 1, 2001, at 12:52:10
> Hi Neighbor,
> Yes, Dr. Akiskal and the full professors at UCSD (Zisook another bipolar expert there) do not accept patients anymore; I was able to get a consultation because I am "interesting", a treatment resistant rapid cycler with a loaded family history. Anyway, one of the important factors that came out of that meeting was a ban on antidepressants and a trial on lamictal- which worked TOO well. Have you tried it yet, it is considered the one mood stabilizer with an antidepressant effect and it really does work well in a lot of people. As far as the more mainstream mood stabilizers, no they don't prevent depression in most people dxed with bipolar- even lithium according to more recent developments. I'm glad you went to Dr. Phelp's site (sp?), he also hates AD's, even with someone who has a somewhat muddled picture like you. Although you did allude to possible hypomanic states, which people tend to downplay because they feel good. As far as cycles, I've cycled in 1 day- and there are people who do so hourly (ultra-rapid), and often get confused with borderline- another disorder Akiskal puts on the bipolar spectrum. I realize a lot of his stuff is presented as posters at meetings and may not be published. I think I'm drifting here, but as some one else suggested, don't worry about the semantics, just find something that works. And I would try lamictal- good luck, Judy
> With anxious depression being the main symptomology, could lamictal really exacerbate the anxiety? I suppose I should really follow my doc's advice and see if my problem is this Special Bipolar 2 diagnosis, but the overactivating possibility of lamictal concerns me. I hate to be vague, but whether or not a person is considered to be unipolar depressed or this newer Bipolar explanation,the control and management of the painful symptoms is all that I want.
poster:Ted R
thread:50592
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001231/msgs/50796.html