Posted by brynb on July 31, 2012, at 18:55:07
In reply to Gabapentinized Rope Walker, posted by Brainbeard on July 31, 2012, at 15:35:17
> That's interesting. In fact, it's the mania I'm after. I use to call it 'hypomania' (Greek 'hypo' means 'below'; also: 'below manic', as in 'almost manic' or 'close to being manic') - I'm not truly bipolar in the DSM-IV understanding of the word, and my desired state is not truly manic, but it has, to a lesser extent, all the characteristics of her grotesque sister.
>That sounds a lot like me. I'm currently (diagnostically) being treated for MDD (my label for years, though it's been suggested on several occasions that I have bipolar 2). I also don't fall under the DSM's characterization of bipolar, but am more consistent with the newer understanding of bipolar and mood disorders as existing on a continuum. (The DSM, IMHO, is a lofty albeit often misguided and archaic attempt to categorize that which can't be.)
Until Neurontin, "mania" for me had been irritability, anxiety, severe swings, etc. At first, Neurontin gave me that hypomania (and euphoria) we depressives seek. But over the past year, it made me completely manic (at least my understanding of it). I was talking a mile a minute, euphoric (high!), had uncontrollable crying fits and racing thoughts that couldn't come out fast enough. Not fun (really scary, in fact). So it's obviously out for me.
> It is my theory that SSRIs work precisely because they make people hypomanic. Hypomania can, in contrast with true mania, be implemented in real life and it can be used as a source of energy and motivation, as well as euphoria, mild though it may be.
>Interesting theory. I've always done well on Lexapro (except it doesn't prevent depressive episodes and inevitably poops out). Serotonin seems to be the key neurotransmitter for me. I also take a low dose of Lithium (which, so far, is working great) as well as a low dose of Tramadol (it's SNRI and opioid properties are perfect for me--anything stronger, like a true NRI, is too much for me). I guess there's a fine line between hitting "baseline" or going a bit above that and experiencing hypomania. But if surpassing baseline to a controllable level means being able to predict my mood, functioning, socializing and even being (dare I say!) happy, I'll take it ;).
-b
poster:brynb
thread:1021540
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120718/msgs/1022505.html