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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by judy1 on June 15, 2000, at 14:36:47
Well, duh, I was going through some previous posts and I realize that you're Scott, also rapid cycler from a while ago. So, you sound so stable, although we all seem to have that talent, and I was wondering what med regime you're on now? Are you stable? And the reason I was looking at old messages was someone had told me a good site for a mood chart and I lost it. Do you know the place? If not, I'll repost. Thanks- Judy
Posted by SLS on June 17, 2000, at 11:02:50
In reply to To Scott aka SLS, posted by judy1 on June 15, 2000, at 14:36:47
> Well, duh, I was going through some previous posts and I realize that you're Scott, also rapid cycler from a while ago. So, you sound so stable, although we all seem to have that talent, and I was wondering what med regime you're on now? Are you stable? And the reason I was looking at old messages was someone had told me a good site for a mood chart and I lost it. Do you know the place? If not, I'll repost. Thanks- Judy
Hi Judy,I'm sorry that I didn't reply to you sooner. I was a bit preoccupied. I included the information that was posted along the thread I think you are referring to below. Let me know if it is what you were thinking of.
Yes, I am stable. The depressed state my brain insists upon maintaining is quite stable.
I suffer an unusual (damn) type of bipolar disorder presentation. I am depressed continually. It does not ever go away. I have been in an unrelenting state of depression since 1977. I sometimes respond to antidepressants for a few days, but the effect disappears abruptly. I was made well for about 9 months in 1987 by a combination of Parnate and desipramine. Unfortunately, I eventually became manic, and the doctor discontinued the drugs. When I relapsed into depression two months later, he refused to reintroduce both drugs. After screwing around for many months with Parnate and Nardil monotherapy, I was no longer responsive to Parnate + desipramine when they were reintroduced. I lived another life during those 9 months. The only time I ever become manic is when drugs make me that way. It is a mixed state. The term "bipolar III" has been proposed to describe this scenario.
For two years (1980-1982), I displayed ultra rapid-cyclicity. I was down 8 days, improved for 3 days, down 8 days, improved for 3 days, etc. Once I recognized the cycle for what it was, I began to keep a social calendar around it. The cycling was abolished upon the introduction of lithium. Unfortunately, it left me in a state of severe depression.
Things are not good for me.
Lamictal helps a bit. It allows me to function well enough to participate on Psycho-Babble. I recently tried adding Neurontin to it. I experienced two mood-lifts - one within 36 hours of starting it, and one upon a dosage increase to 1800mg. Both mood-lifts lasted for but a fraction of a day. I probably would have kept taking Neurontin had it not made me feel worse. I am taking only Lamictal 300mg at the moment. I am waiting for my order of sulpiride to arrive from London.
------------------------------------------
The following was a reply to a question I had asked along a thread:
> I have the information about the mood, life chart I use. NIMH
referred me to the Stanley Foundation, Bipolar Network @
1-800-518-7326. You'll push #3 to give your name and address and
phone #. You can order a bipolar newsletter also.I have been too lazy to look into it.
I hope you find it helpful. I am not sure if it is a daily mood-chart or a charting of one's life history only.
- Scott
Posted by judy1 on June 17, 2000, at 13:25:11
In reply to Re: To Scott aka SLS, posted by SLS on June 17, 2000, at 11:02:50
Scott,
I feel so bad for you- you are always so helpful and positive when answering my questions, I had no idea you were experiencing such depression. I pray the medication you have ordered will give some relief (I'm not familiar with it, is it an AD?) I called the phone # you supplied, and yes it was exactly what I was looking for, it's a template for mood charting and the hope is I will find some insight when my hypomania hits so it doesn't progress to mania. Thank you for taking the time to answer me, and I wish you all the best. Take care, Judy
Posted by Aylese on June 17, 2000, at 23:05:59
In reply to To Scott aka SLS, posted by judy1 on June 15, 2000, at 14:36:47
Hey Scott! I too have been wondering if you weren't the Scott who previously always signed his posts with the words "blessings" ??? Isn't that you? I too have always enjoyed your most helpful and intelligent posts. I ditto the remarks above concerning sorrow for your doggone diagnosis. Man, if wishes were fishes, etc....
Blessings to you,
Aylese
Posted by Angela5 on June 18, 2000, at 1:27:49
In reply to Re: To Scott aka SLS, posted by judy1 on June 17, 2000, at 13:25:11
You mentioned in a previous posting that you knew of a website that helped distinguish between ADD and bipolar... do you have the URL for that?
Thanks,
Angela
Posted by KarenB on June 19, 2000, at 14:47:03
In reply to Yet another To Scott aka SLS :), posted by Angela5 on June 18, 2000, at 1:27:49
> You mentioned in a previous posting that you knew of a website that helped distinguish between ADD and bipolar... do you have the URL for that?
>
> Thanks,
>
> AngelaAngela,
I have the answer to this one:
www.addclinic.org
The article is entitled "314 vs 296," differentiating between Bipolar Disorder and ADD.
Karen
Posted by CarolAnn on June 19, 2000, at 16:52:38
In reply to Re: To Scott aka SLS, posted by SLS on June 17, 2000, at 11:02:50
Hi Scott,
You know, I don't even know what I want to say. I just wish I could make you feel better. Your battle with bipolar, makes my depression and ADD seem like petty complaints. It is truly amazing to me that feeling as badly as you do, you can still offer so much in the way of support and knowledge here at psycho-babble.
Okay, I know what I really want to say now.
Thank you. Thank you for being kind, sensitive, and willing to overcome your problems, in order to share knowledge which has helped many of us here at psycho-babble. You're da bomb!(teenage slang for "the greatest!)))CarolAnn
Posted by SLS on June 22, 2000, at 16:07:29
In reply to Re: To Scott aka SLS » SLS, posted by CarolAnn on June 19, 2000, at 16:52:38
> Hi Scott,
> You know, I don't even know what I want to say. I just wish I could make you feel better. Your battle with bipolar, makes my depression and ADD seem like petty complaints. It is truly amazing to me that feeling as badly as you do, you can still offer so much in the way of support and knowledge here at psycho-babble.
> Okay, I know what I really want to say now.
> Thank you. Thank you for being kind, sensitive, and willing to overcome your problems, in order to share knowledge which has helped many of us here at psycho-babble. You're da bomb!(teenage slang for "the greatest!)))CarolAnn
Dear CarolAnnNow I don't know what to say.
You have done so much for me by writing this. You can't imagine.
Nobody's mental illness is petty. Yours is the worst for you. That's bad enough to be bad enough.
I really needed to hear this. I wish I had seen your post a few days ago. I feel guilty for not having acknowledged it any sooner. It was wonderful.
I have been feeling pretty bad over the last few weeks, and particularly awful since Sunday. I experienced a nasty reaction to Neurontin, which has taken days to dissipate. It was close to being excruciating. During this period of time, I was grateful to be able to say that I have felt worse (once or twice).
I have had a rough time emotionally. It is becoming increasingly difficult for me to avoid getting depressed (sad, despondent, demoralized, hopeless, catastrophic, and suicidal) about being depressed. I am burnt-out. We really do need to find more words to provide distinctions between depression and depression. I think the French do a pretty good job of this. I actually became quite hysterical Monday morning. I was left hyperventilating while trying to speak to my mother on the phone. I was unable to utter a single word for several minutes. I feel traumatized. I just can't believe this is really happening to me, even though it has been for over 20 years (only 18 years of treatment failures). Gosh, I can really lay it on thick, can't I? Things do kinda suck, though.
I have been thinking about participating less here on Psycho-Babble. I am overwhelmed by the volume and I don't seem to have much to say. Earlier today, I could not read two sentences. My self-esteem has suffered because of how much my level of function has deteriorated. I don't feel that I have much to offer anymore. I feel very small.
Okay, I know what I really want to say now.
Thank you.
Love,
Scott
Posted by Chris A. on June 22, 2000, at 23:35:26
In reply to Re: To Scott aka SLS » CarolAnn, posted by SLS on June 22, 2000, at 16:07:29
Dear Scott,
I hear you loud and clear. You are not alone. If it's any comfort to you, your compassion and voice of reason backed by solid evidence have been helpful. I really identify with your post. I apoligize for not being able to communicate. When I find the cure I'll let you know.Burned out by Bipolar,
Chris A.
This is the end of the thread.
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