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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 25. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by karaS on October 1, 2004, at 11:52:31
I saw my doctor yesterday and he suggested the possibility that I may be "soft bipolar". He made this suggestion because I have different sleep problems (cycles?). Sometimes I can sleep forever and then other times I find it hard to sleep at all. The latter may just be stress and/or RLS related but he's not sure and neither am I.
Anyway, he gave me Cymbalta samples to start on because I had told him I wanted to try it and it's a good match for me in other ways. Then he said that if I have a partial or no response that I should consider adding either lithium, Lamictal or Abilify.
Those of you out there who are taking Lamictal or Abilify, do you have the "soft bipolar" diagnosis? I know from this board that a lot of people are on, or at least have tried, one of these medications. I'm wondering if you've had much success with either of them.
Those of you who do not fit into any of the standard bipolar categories who have tried lithium, has this helped you? Did you gain weight?
Thanks,
Kara
Posted by woolav on October 1, 2004, at 15:50:56
In reply to Soft Bipolar anyone?, posted by karaS on October 1, 2004, at 11:52:31
I dont know if Dr's really know what we have..I supposidly have "panic disorder", yet my pdoc wants to keep me on lamictal. She has never mentioned BP2 or any variation of it. So, I think the 3 drugs you mentioned your dr might add to cymbalta isnt just about you being labeled as BP soft? (never heard that one) but its my understanding that those types of drugs (lithium, lamictal, ablify) are augmentor drugs. Meaning they are suppose to give a kind of kick start to your other medication. I know you are trying to find someone who was told they have your dx, and then find out what drugs they take. But that usually doesnt work. I find that its hard to narrow that down. Like, Susie might take zoloft and zyprexa for her depression and it works great, and for Joe, who also has depression, that combo makes him sick..
Hope that made some sense...
:)
Posted by karaS on October 1, 2004, at 23:25:06
In reply to Re: Soft Bipolar anyone?, posted by woolav on October 1, 2004, at 15:50:56
> I dont know if Dr's really know what we have..I supposidly have "panic disorder", yet my pdoc wants to keep me on lamictal. She has never mentioned BP2 or any variation of it. So, I think the 3 drugs you mentioned your dr might add to cymbalta isnt just about you being labeled as BP soft? (never heard that one) but its my understanding that those types of drugs (lithium, lamictal, ablify) are augmentor drugs. Meaning they are suppose to give a kind of kick start to your other medication. I know you are trying to find someone who was told they have your dx, and then find out what drugs they take. But that usually doesnt work. I find that its hard to narrow that down. Like, Susie might take zoloft and zyprexa for her depression and it works great, and for Joe, who also has depression, that combo makes him sick..
> Hope that made some sense...
> :)
>Yes, that's true. I'm just trying to get pieces of information so that I can hopefully understand more of the big picture. My doctor also suggested that I try Abilify and Lamictal alone. I think you're right that a lot of it is just guess work on their part (albeit educated guesses).
Thanks,
Kara
Posted by HappyGirl on October 2, 2004, at 0:01:08
In reply to Soft Bipolar anyone?, posted by karaS on October 1, 2004, at 11:52:31
Hi:
In my personal opinion, ... if you have so to speak, 'soft Bipolar,' Abilify is quite strong to your symptom. Rather, Lithium(with A.D.) or Lamical(alone) sounds more like appropriate to your conditon, 'soft Bipolar.'I, too never heard of the word, 'Soft Bipolar,' however, in my understanding, ... it means, 'Bipolar II?' Because, most of pdocs. Bipolar refers to Bipolar I which has delutional and hallusination along with all other Bp symptoms. And, it could be 'severe' form of Bipolar.
Personally, I never took the meds. about which you're inquiring, however if you never been any of mood-stabilizer, then Lamictal or Lithium (with anti-depressant) could alleviate your symptoms, particularly 'insomnia' which often caused by either depressive or manic sides of Bp II.
BTW, in reading the content of your post, you sound like having, so called, 'Soft Bipolar.'
H.G.
Posted by karaS on October 2, 2004, at 2:19:39
In reply to Re: Soft Bipolar anyone?, posted by HappyGirl on October 2, 2004, at 0:01:08
> Hi:
> In my personal opinion, ... if you have so to speak, 'soft Bipolar,' Abilify is quite strong to your symptom. Rather, Lithium(with A.D.) or Lamical(alone) sounds more like appropriate to your conditon, 'soft Bipolar.'
>
> I, too never heard of the word, 'Soft Bipolar,' however, in my understanding, ... it means, 'Bipolar II?' Because, most of pdocs. Bipolar refers to Bipolar I which has delutional and hallusination along with all other Bp symptoms. And, it could be 'severe' form of Bipolar.
>
> Personally, I never took the meds. about which you're inquiring, however if you never been any of mood-stabilizer, then Lamictal or Lithium (with anti-depressant) could alleviate your symptoms, particularly 'insomnia' which often caused by either depressive or manic sides of Bp II.
>
> BTW, in reading the content of your post, you sound like having, so called, 'Soft Bipolar.'
> H.G.
Actually, my doctor made a point of saying that I didn't have BP I, II or III (I didn't even know there was a III) so "soft bipolar" is something else.
Posted by Optimist on October 2, 2004, at 12:11:35
In reply to Re: Soft Bipolar anyone? » HappyGirl, posted by karaS on October 2, 2004, at 2:19:39
Possibly cyclothymia, which is a softer variant of bipolar 2. It's usually less peaks and valleys but it can still be very problematic.
Posted by karaS on October 2, 2004, at 14:34:54
In reply to Re: Soft Bipolar anyone?, posted by Optimist on October 2, 2004, at 12:11:35
> Possibly cyclothymia, which is a softer variant of bipolar 2. It's usually less peaks and valleys but it can still be very problematic.
Maybe. I don't have much in terms of peaks and valleys. Really just valleys that I'm aware of. The only thing that led my doctor to suggest it was the sleep issues (the fact that sometimes I sleep too much and other times I find it hard to sleep at all). This is a fairly recent phenomenom for me. Most of my adult life I haven't been able to sleep at all from depression and anxiety. I wonder if the times I can't sleep are just my anxiety over my current stressful situation. I don't know.Part of me would like to have the diagnosis because it might make it easier to treat me. On the otherhand, there are psychological issues with adding on another label...
Thanks,
K
Posted by karaS on October 2, 2004, at 14:42:36
In reply to Re: Soft Bipolar anyone?, posted by HappyGirl on October 2, 2004, at 0:01:08
> Hi:
> In my personal opinion, ... if you have so to speak, 'soft Bipolar,' Abilify is quite strong to your symptom. Rather, Lithium(with A.D.) or Lamical(alone) sounds more like appropriate to your conditon, 'soft Bipolar.'
>
> I, too never heard of the word, 'Soft Bipolar,' however, in my understanding, ... it means, 'Bipolar II?' Because, most of pdocs. Bipolar refers to Bipolar I which has delutional and hallusination along with all other Bp symptoms. And, it could be 'severe' form of Bipolar.
>
> Personally, I never took the meds. about which you're inquiring, however if you never been any of mood-stabilizer, then Lamictal or Lithium (with anti-depressant) could alleviate your symptoms, particularly 'insomnia' which often caused by either depressive or manic sides of Bp II.
>
> BTW, in reading the content of your post, you sound like having, so called, 'Soft Bipolar.'
> H.G.
H.G.,I think that if I do try those meds, that I'll try lithium or Lamictal first. Abilify is too expensive anyway.
Also, I don't think I thanked you yet for your input.
Kara
Posted by boomarang on October 2, 2004, at 20:36:24
In reply to Soft Bipolar anyone?, posted by karaS on October 1, 2004, at 11:52:31
i haven't had the sleep issues you have. To this day i have no idea what my diagnosis is, but I don't fall into the standard categories of bipolar. According to the pdoc but it is some version of bipolar. i don't have the peaks, just the lows.
I am on the lamictal 200mg and cymbalta 30mg combination. In terms of success with this combo i'd have to say very good at everything except a marked uplift in spirits. Not depressed at all...just not up. Still it is a very tolerable state of mind. I may titrate up 10mg on the cymbalta to see if that makes a difference. All i really need is a bit of oompf. The great news is no weight gain (yet) I love that!
Posted by anxiety_free on October 2, 2004, at 22:05:54
In reply to Soft Bipolar anyone?, posted by karaS on October 1, 2004, at 11:52:31
> I saw my doctor yesterday and he suggested the possibility that I may be "soft bipolar". He made this suggestion because I have different sleep problems (cycles?). Sometimes I can sleep forever and then other times I find it hard to sleep at all. The latter may just be stress and/or RLS related but he's not sure and neither am I.
>
> Anyway, he gave me Cymbalta samples to start on because I had told him I wanted to try it and it's a good match for me in other ways. Then he said that if I have a partial or no response that I should consider adding either lithium, Lamictal or Abilify.
>
> Those of you out there who are taking Lamictal or Abilify, do you have the "soft bipolar" diagnosis? I know from this board that a lot of people are on, or at least have tried, one of these medications. I'm wondering if you've had much success with either of them.
>
> Those of you who do not fit into any of the standard bipolar categories who have tried lithium, has this helped you? Did you gain weight?
>
Kara- one of my diagnoses has been Bipolar II, the softer, gentler bipolar. Mood stabilizers helped (I did trileptal...HIGHLY recommend it), but my shrink just kept changing my meds and adding new ones, blah blah blah...I ended up on 7 different meds. My advice: take the cymbalta. Ask for sleeping pills. AVOID lithium and depakote if possible, and avoid the anti-psychotics (even the newer, nicer ones) unless you find yourself...psychotic. trileptal rocks b/c there aren't any labs and, so far, the data makes it seem pretty safe. When my shrink suggested lithium, I said NO. Politely, but firmly...he backed off. I find my new regimine of anti-depressants (Cymbalta and Tofranil), stimulants, and sleeping pills helps me stay regulated and happy. Good luck!
>
>
>
Posted by karaS on October 3, 2004, at 1:00:10
In reply to Re: Soft Bipolar anyone?, posted by boomarang on October 2, 2004, at 20:36:24
>
> i haven't had the sleep issues you have. To this day i have no idea what my diagnosis is, but I don't fall into the standard categories of bipolar. According to the pdoc but it is some version of bipolar. i don't have the peaks, just the lows.
>
> I am on the lamictal 200mg and cymbalta 30mg combination. In terms of success with this combo i'd have to say very good at everything except a marked uplift in spirits. Not depressed at all...just not up. Still it is a very tolerable state of mind. I may titrate up 10mg on the cymbalta to see if that makes a difference. All i really need is a bit of oompf. The great news is no weight gain (yet) I love that!Hi boomerang,
That's interesting. You sound more like me in terms of possible diagnosis. Have you had any success with other antidepressants? How come you're only on 30 mg. of Cymbalta? Are you very meds sensitive or are the noradrenergic effects too powerful at a higher dosage? Did you ever try lithium?
-K
Posted by karaS on October 3, 2004, at 1:10:36
In reply to Soft Bipolar, posted by anxiety_free on October 2, 2004, at 22:05:54
>> Kara- one of my diagnoses has been Bipolar II, the softer, gentler bipolar. Mood stabilizers helped (I did trileptal...HIGHLY recommend it), but my shrink just kept changing my meds and adding new ones, blah blah blah...I ended up on 7 different meds. My advice: take the cymbalta. Ask for sleeping pills. AVOID lithium and depakote if possible, and avoid the anti-psychotics (even the newer, nicer ones) unless you find yourself...psychotic. trileptal rocks b/c there aren't any labs and, so far, the data makes it seem pretty safe. When my shrink suggested lithium, I said NO. Politely, but firmly...he backed off. I find my new regimine of anti-depressants (Cymbalta and Tofranil), stimulants, and sleeping pills helps me stay regulated and happy. Good luck!
Hi anxiety_free,
Thanks for your response. I don't know anything about trileptal. I'll have to do some research. Abilify amd Lamictal don't require labs, do they? I know that lithium does but I heard that it's not often. I used to not think much about lithium but I have since heard of people who have had good experiences with it. I'm curious as to why you're so opposed to it.I'm glad you have a good set of things working for you now. It's so nice to hear about that actually happening.
Kara
Posted by anxiety_free on October 3, 2004, at 2:33:32
In reply to Re: Soft Bipolar » anxiety_free, posted by karaS on October 3, 2004, at 1:10:36
> Hi anxiety_free,
> Thanks for your response. I don't know anything about trileptal. I'll have to do some research. Abilify amd Lamictal don't require labs, do they? I know that lithium does but I heard that it's not often. I used to not think much about lithium but I have since heard of people who have had good experiences with it. I'm curious as to why you're so opposed to it.Hey! I come from a family with weird, severe mood disorders...I've seen lithium make people gain lots of weight, lose hair, have skin problems...it IS an excellent drug, but most of the docs I've been to and/or know use it as second-line therapy;the side-effects can be awful. The Abilify worked for me, but its scary; when you get your Rx filled, your pharmacist will probably warn you to look out for signs of high blood sugar and to avoid overheating...antipsychotics decrease sweating, so you can have heat-related problems a lot sooner than if you didn't take them. They can also cause other problems...involuntary muscle movements, feelings of restlesness, etc. Anyway, trileptal is just the cleaned up sister of tegretal; researchers added an oxygen molecule, and most of tegretol's side effects went away. Anyway, I just think you should start with the SAFEST available treatment and take risks only when necessary...like if you go full-blown manic and require some thorazine. Anti-psychotics are designed for and primarily tested on the truly psychotic, not the neurotic. Sorry this was so long...I just think APs are overused a lot.
>
> I'm glad you have a good set of things working for you now. It's so nice to hear about that actually happening.
>
> Kara
>
Posted by karaS on October 3, 2004, at 3:04:27
In reply to Soft Bipolar, posted by anxiety_free on October 3, 2004, at 2:33:32
> Hey! I come from a family with weird, severe mood disorders...I've seen lithium make people gain lots of weight, lose hair, have skin problems...it IS an excellent drug, but most of the docs I've been to and/or know use it as second-line therapy;the side-effects can be awful. The Abilify worked for me, but its scary; when you get your Rx filled, your pharmacist will probably warn you to look out for signs of high blood sugar and to avoid overheating...antipsychotics decrease sweating, so you can have heat-related problems a lot sooner than if you didn't take them. They can also cause other problems...involuntary muscle movements, feelings of restlesness, etc. Anyway, trileptal is just the cleaned up sister of tegretal; researchers added an oxygen molecule, and most of tegretol's side effects went away. Anyway, I just think you should start with the SAFEST available treatment and take risks only when necessary...like if you go full-blown manic and require some thorazine. Anti-psychotics are designed for and primarily tested on the truly psychotic, not the neurotic. Sorry this was so long...I just think APs are overused a lot.
Thanks,
I wonder why my doctor didn't mention trileptal. Well, I'll try the Cymbalta first and maybe I won't need anything else.K
Posted by theo on October 3, 2004, at 7:13:18
In reply to Soft Bipolar anyone?, posted by karaS on October 1, 2004, at 11:52:31
My pdoc uses that. I have anxiety/depression and she is suggesting my anxiety is my "mania" coming out.
She said, I know you're definitely not BPI but on the "soft" side, like BPII or BPIII.
I'm taking a low dose of Keppra 750mg for anxiety because it nips the highs (anxiety) and Lamictal 125mg for the lows (depression).
Posted by boomarang on October 3, 2004, at 12:25:31
In reply to Re: Soft Bipolar anyone? » boomarang, posted by karaS on October 3, 2004, at 1:00:10
hi there,
like many of us on this board i've tried practically all the a/d's. Unfortunately it's a sensitivity issue with me...the side effects usually emerge after a year and a half and i end up having to switch. The majority of the drugs worked just fine in terms of efficacy.However, with lamictal 'boosting' the cymbalta I am supposedly not going to need to go to such a high dose of cymbalta and therefore circumvent the side effect issue. Hope that makes sense. I will be going up 10 mg today on cymbalta to 40 mg just to see if i can get a little uplift.
I have never tried lithium, since lamictal has been fine so far.FYI, if we do have the same dx, one pychopharmacologist i went to three times (and paid $800 for the pleasure) said that the lamictal was key to the correct mix. For whatever that is worth. Still, as much as i fought not wanting to take it, the lamictal has so far 'i think' been a good addition. Who knows tho, I might be just the same on cymbalta without it. I'll be interested to see how you do on cymbalta by itself.
Posted by olysi79 on October 3, 2004, at 14:02:55
In reply to Soft Bipolar anyone?, posted by karaS on October 1, 2004, at 11:52:31
Hi there, I have soft bipoalr as well... I'm kind of a hornets nest because I also have OCD and anxiety problems... soem SSRIS make me more manic than others, the current one I'm on especially. We've adde din a mood stabilizer to help.
> I saw my doctor yesterday and he suggested the possibility that I may be "soft bipolar". He made this suggestion because I have different sleep problems (cycles?). Sometimes I can sleep forever and then other times I find it hard to sleep at all. The latter may just be stress and/or RLS related but he's not sure and neither am I.
>
> Anyway, he gave me Cymbalta samples to start on because I had told him I wanted to try it and it's a good match for me in other ways. Then he said that if I have a partial or no response that I should consider adding either lithium, Lamictal or Abilify.
>
> Those of you out there who are taking Lamictal or Abilify, do you have the "soft bipolar" diagnosis? I know from this board that a lot of people are on, or at least have tried, one of these medications. I'm wondering if you've had much success with either of them.
>
> Those of you who do not fit into any of the standard bipolar categories who have tried lithium, has this helped you? Did you gain weight?
>
> Thanks,
> Kara
>
>
>
Posted by olysi79 on October 3, 2004, at 14:05:43
In reply to Re: Soft Bipolar anyone? » HappyGirl, posted by karaS on October 2, 2004, at 2:19:39
Hi kara, from my understand Soft BP is a BP that is simply not BP I... it could be any others or simply not specified... often times other disorders tend to help bring it out. At any rate, treatment with BP drugs should help :)
> > Hi:
> > In my personal opinion, ... if you have so to speak, 'soft Bipolar,' Abilify is quite strong to your symptom. Rather, Lithium(with A.D.) or Lamical(alone) sounds more like appropriate to your conditon, 'soft Bipolar.'
> >
> > I, too never heard of the word, 'Soft Bipolar,' however, in my understanding, ... it means, 'Bipolar II?' Because, most of pdocs. Bipolar refers to Bipolar I which has delutional and hallusination along with all other Bp symptoms. And, it could be 'severe' form of Bipolar.
> >
> > Personally, I never took the meds. about which you're inquiring, however if you never been any of mood-stabilizer, then Lamictal or Lithium (with anti-depressant) could alleviate your symptoms, particularly 'insomnia' which often caused by either depressive or manic sides of Bp II.
> >
> > BTW, in reading the content of your post, you sound like having, so called, 'Soft Bipolar.'
> > H.G.
>
>
> Actually, my doctor made a point of saying that I didn't have BP I, II or III (I didn't even know there was a III) so "soft bipolar" is something else.
Posted by karaS on October 3, 2004, at 14:11:45
In reply to Re: Soft Bipolar anyone? » karaS, posted by theo on October 3, 2004, at 7:13:18
> My pdoc uses that. I have anxiety/depression and she is suggesting my anxiety is my "mania" coming out.
>
> She said, I know you're definitely not BPI but on the "soft" side, like BPII or BPIII.
>
> I'm taking a low dose of Keppra 750mg for anxiety because it nips the highs (anxiety) and Lamictal 125mg for the lows (depression).
And that's been working well for you?
Posted by karaS on October 3, 2004, at 14:15:34
In reply to Re: Soft Bipolar anyone?, posted by boomarang on October 3, 2004, at 12:25:31
> hi there,
> like many of us on this board i've tried practically all the a/d's. Unfortunately it's a sensitivity issue with me...the side effects usually emerge after a year and a half and i end up having to switch. The majority of the drugs worked just fine in terms of efficacy.
>
> However, with lamictal 'boosting' the cymbalta I am supposedly not going to need to go to such a high dose of cymbalta and therefore circumvent the side effect issue. Hope that makes sense. I will be going up 10 mg today on cymbalta to 40 mg just to see if i can get a little uplift.
> I have never tried lithium, since lamictal has been fine so far.
>
> FYI, if we do have the same dx, one pychopharmacologist i went to three times (and paid $800 for the pleasure) said that the lamictal was key to the correct mix. For whatever that is worth. Still, as much as i fought not wanting to take it, the lamictal has so far 'i think' been a good addition. Who knows tho, I might be just the same on cymbalta without it. I'll be interested to see how you do on cymbalta by itself.
I'm very curious about Cymbalta's effects on me too. I don't even know yet whether to take it in the morning or at night. It seems different people are finding it more sedating and some more energizing. It will also be interesting to see what the extra 10 mg. of Cymbalta does or doesn't do for you. If you could just boost your mood a bit, it sounds like you'd have all of your bases covered.What were your side effects from the Lamictal? Did you ever have any kind of rash?
K
Posted by karaS on October 3, 2004, at 15:00:27
In reply to Re: Soft Bipolar anyone?, posted by olysi79 on October 3, 2004, at 14:02:55
> Hi there, I have soft bipoalr as well... I'm kind of a hornets nest because I also have OCD and anxiety problems... soem SSRIS make me more manic than others, the current one I'm on especially. We've adde din a mood stabilizer to help.
Hmmmm, the SSRIs never made me feel manic at all. Just numb. Maybe I'm not "soft bi-polar".
Posted by boomarang on October 4, 2004, at 18:44:13
In reply to Re: Soft Bipolar anyone? » boomarang, posted by karaS on October 3, 2004, at 14:15:34
i didn't have any side effects from the lamictal with the exception of some pretty bad nausea for about five days following each titration.
once i got to 350mg tho, i starting having terrible panic attacks. they went away once i lowered the dose.
Posted by olysi79 on October 4, 2004, at 19:02:13
In reply to Re: Soft Bipolar anyone? » olysi79, posted by karaS on October 3, 2004, at 15:00:27
Hi kara,
They don't always do that... if someone tells you you're not BP jsut because you haven't gone manic on an SSRI is just plain wrong. Whats more important to look at are you sleep patterns, emotional lability, and whatnot... do you find that at certain times, you're down in the dumps really bad, easily suseptible to anxiety/depression, and overly sensitive? Do you find that sometimes you feel really good and "accelerated"... that things that bother you when you'er depressed have no baring on you... you feel more prone to spend money... have alot less discretion, etc? these are soft bipolar indications, especially with the sleep issues. those are things that PDOCS look for (I think), and that's probably why your pdoc wants to go the BP treatment route.
> > Hi there, I have soft bipoalr as well... I'm kind of a hornets nest because I also have OCD and anxiety problems... soem SSRIS make me more manic than others, the current one I'm on especially. We've adde din a mood stabilizer to help.
>
>
> Hmmmm, the SSRIs never made me feel manic at all. Just numb. Maybe I'm not "soft bi-polar".
>
>
Posted by olysi79 on October 4, 2004, at 19:55:06
In reply to Soft Bipolar, posted by anxiety_free on October 2, 2004, at 22:05:54
I agree, I LOVE trileptal!!! a great medication
> > I saw my doctor yesterday and he suggested the possibility that I may be "soft bipolar". He made this suggestion because I have different sleep problems (cycles?). Sometimes I can sleep forever and then other times I find it hard to sleep at all. The latter may just be stress and/or RLS related but he's not sure and neither am I.
> >
> > Anyway, he gave me Cymbalta samples to start on because I had told him I wanted to try it and it's a good match for me in other ways. Then he said that if I have a partial or no response that I should consider adding either lithium, Lamictal or Abilify.
> >
> > Those of you out there who are taking Lamictal or Abilify, do you have the "soft bipolar" diagnosis? I know from this board that a lot of people are on, or at least have tried, one of these medications. I'm wondering if you've had much success with either of them.
> >
> > Those of you who do not fit into any of the standard bipolar categories who have tried lithium, has this helped you? Did you gain weight?
> >
> Kara- one of my diagnoses has been Bipolar II, the softer, gentler bipolar. Mood stabilizers helped (I did trileptal...HIGHLY recommend it), but my shrink just kept changing my meds and adding new ones, blah blah blah...I ended up on 7 different meds. My advice: take the cymbalta. Ask for sleeping pills. AVOID lithium and depakote if possible, and avoid the anti-psychotics (even the newer, nicer ones) unless you find yourself...psychotic. trileptal rocks b/c there aren't any labs and, so far, the data makes it seem pretty safe. When my shrink suggested lithium, I said NO. Politely, but firmly...he backed off. I find my new regimine of anti-depressants (Cymbalta and Tofranil), stimulants, and sleeping pills helps me stay regulated and happy. Good luck!
> >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by CraigD on October 5, 2004, at 22:25:19
In reply to Re: Soft Bipolar, posted by olysi79 on October 4, 2004, at 19:55:06
Lamical users (soft BP and others):
My doc is hesitant to give me a diagnosis of BPII, but the SSRIs were definitely causing me to act out (taking drugs, spending). Because I have a strong family history of BP, we added Lamictal for a trial and it worked wonders.
My urge to drink is gone and and certain aspects of my anxiety that SSRIs never addressed are gone too.I've been able to drop my Celexa down to 20 mgs.
I have been experiencing headaches. I'm not sure if it's from the meds or from my eyes, which seem suddenly worse. I also have significant carb cravings and bouts of drowsiness.
has anyone else experienced these side effects?
This is the end of the thread.
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