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Mood Disorder Community
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Jeff 4
Starting Member
7 Posts
Gratitude: 8
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 Posted - 04/01/2007 : 12:43:08
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I was diagnosed by a GP with major depressive and anxiety disorders several months ago and began taking Prozac. I felt better initially, but then the anti-depressive effects seemed to wear off and I began thinking of suicide frequently. I increased the dose, but to no avail.
Most recently, I've had a desire to reach oblivion by mixing alcohol and drugs, followed by engaging in reckless behavior. I'm looking on this site to determine whether I have bipolar disorder that was misdiagnosed by my GP. It's becoming a desperate situation. I tried quitting Prozac, but that led to extreme irritability and even worse depression than before I started on the drug.
Any advice? |
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| aquamarine
Amazing Member (1000+ posts)
1238 Posts
Gratitude: 300
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Posted - 04/01/2007 : 16:20:47
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Hi Jeff,
If you do have bipolar disorder, being on an antidepressant and no mood stabilizer could make your mood worse. That said, please contact your doctor again before making any changes to your medication. For myself I have found it to be dangerous to abruptly stop antidepressants. As well, I always have a hard time coming off them even when they weren't helping.
I hope you are able to contact your doctor and maybe write down all the symptoms you have been having (because it is easy to forget something important). There are some online questionairres that you could look at and take as info for your Dr too. I used to have one that would print out a copy for yourself, but I can't find the site right now. If I do I will post the link for you.
...Aqua |
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| Jeff 4
Starting Member
7 Posts
Gratitude: 8
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Posted - 04/01/2007 : 17:33:24
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I took some of the online tests already, and certainly seem to have the basic symptoms. I was a little confused when the manic episodes were described as being months long, followed by depression of similar or longer duration. I guess I'm not sure if that applies to me, but the ups and downs are pretty strong, so maybe.
I'm a little scared of going on lithium or some other powerful mood stabilizer. Do people usually quit taking SSRI's and benzodiazepines after that? Are the side effects easy to deal with? I guess the alternative is more dangerous, but I'm worried about being turned into a zombie, or even worse, mentally. Are the drugs really worth the risk? |
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| EmergingArtist
Incredible Member (2000+ posts)
9136 Posts
Gratitude: 822
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Posted - 04/01/2007 : 17:52:01
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If you feel flat or like a zombie on psych meds you try, simply tell your psychiatrist of the effects on you and get the med or dose adjusted. Usually, if you've been feeling horrible mentally without any meds for months at a time, then most likely, trying medication might help.
Welcome to MyTherapy Jeff 4
-EA
But it's my heart that's beggin'
down this long distance line tonight...
(Missing You, Tyler Hilton version) |
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| aquamarine
Amazing Member (1000+ posts)
1238 Posts
Gratitude: 300
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Posted - 04/01/2007 : 21:05:27
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Jeff,
You want to hear the most bizarre thing? I too was terrified of Lithium...after I had ECT they tried to get me to start it and I refused. After at least 30 different meds/combos I finally gave in and tried it. It was the first med where I had almost zero side effects....I had to pee more, that was it...and it worked (for a while anyway).
I'm still on it and it is helping my upward swings. I'm now trying to lift my depression and anxiety with Diazepam, Nortryptiline and an amino acid called L-Tryptophan. I have had 3 okay days this week. This is a rarity for me so I'm hoping this combo will help me.
Remember everyone reacts differently to different medications and if you do have bipolar it could take a while to find the medication, or combo of medications to help you.
About the mania lasting forever (in the quizzes)...hypomania only needs to last for 4 days. On top of that more and more psychiatrists are starting to realize we don't all fit exactly into the cookie cutter definitions of depression or bipolar. There is a movement to look at depression and bipolar on a sliding scale. Maybe you are like me and fit somewhere between the two.
Your pdoc should be able to tell you if you have bipolar symptoms. He or she should work with you and be cognisant of how you are feeling on the medications. My experience is not typical I don't think. Most people find medications that help them after a few tries. And Like Emerging Artist says, let your pdoc know you do not like how you feel. Sometimes a small increase, or decrease in the dose can make a huge difference.
Take care
...Aqua |
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| Jeff 4
Starting Member
7 Posts
Gratitude: 8
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Posted - 04/02/2007 : 06:52:32
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Aqua and EA,
Thanks for the warm welcome and good advice.
I think I'll try whatever the pdoc recommends, but I'm still a little worried that the new meds will cause the same imbalance that the Prozac did, and that I'll eventually have to go through withdrawal as a result.
I can function okay right now, but it's hard to sleep and I never feel like my mood is even; it's always very up or very down, with little in between. It could be hypomania or even mania, but it's hard to tell. All I know is that I'm either tired, lethargic, and want to bury my head in the sand, or I'm gregarious, with quickened thoughts and a desire to explode into various forms of intoxication (not every day, but frequently and to an extreme at times). I never even knew how bad my problems were (despite many behavioral cues) until I went to the GP because I couldn't sleep through the night and was diagnosed with mental health disorders.
Do your medications help balance out these cycles? Do you feel content and "normal" on a good day as a result of the meds? Did any lifestyle changes help? Do you have any alcohol or drug abuse problems and self-medicate, or did in the past? I need to figure this out and would appreciate your advice.
Thanks,
Jeff |
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| EmergingArtist
Incredible Member (2000+ posts)
9136 Posts
Gratitude: 822
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Posted - 04/02/2007 : 10:44:34
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A O O A
I feel flummoxed by all of your questions sorry Jeff 4
I find it hard to sleep too. Which is why I take a small dose of Seroquel which drowses me and I drift off then.
/
1 more time welcome! :)
-EA
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| aquamarine
Amazing Member (1000+ posts)
1238 Posts
Gratitude: 300
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Posted - 04/02/2007 : 11:29:58
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Hi Jeff,
In truth, there are no solid right or wrong answers to your questions. Some medications work for some and not for others. Some medications are more likely to target specific symptoms (like sleep, or cycling, or depression) but again they each work for some but not for others. There is no one "bipolar" pill. (Darn! ) Our brains are as individual as the combinations of medicines and doses of medication we require.
Your first question about whether meds have worked for me is hard to answer too. It seems some things have helped for a while (Lithium for example), but I have not had that much luck finding medications that helped. That said, I'm not giving up, and the current combo I am on might be helping me (I've had 4 okay days so far). I am in the early stages of this drug regiment so I will give it a few months and see.
Please do not take what I just said as proof that meds do not help. For a great number of people they do. My depression is treatement resistent for some reason.
The thing that has helped me is having a great psychiatrist who provides both therapy and medication. I believe therapy is extremely important.
...Aqua |
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| Jeff 4
Starting Member
7 Posts
Gratitude: 8
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Posted - 04/02/2007 : 12:45:00
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Thanks for your input Aqua and EA...
Congratulations on your 4 good days Aqua. Do you measure those days in terms of fuctioning? Are things going well in your life? I find a strong correlation between major life issues and my swings. If things are stable, I tend to do better.
As far as the sleep issue goes, I've had problems staying asleep at night, and that's why I went to the Dr initially. Those improved at first, but they're back to being worse. The prozac may have caused a placebo effect. Hard to tell. I'm hoping that new meds will help (fingers crossed)...
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| EmergingArtist
Incredible Member (2000+ posts)
9136 Posts
Gratitude: 822
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Posted - 04/02/2007 : 16:42:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Jeff 4
Aqua and EA,
Thanks for the warm welcome and good advice.
I think I'll try whatever the pdoc recommends, but I'm still a little worried that the new meds will cause the same imbalance that the Prozac did, and that I'll eventually have to go through withdrawal as a result.
I can function okay right now, but it's hard to sleep and I never feel like my mood is even; it's always very up or very down, with little in between. It could be hypomania or even mania, but it's hard to tell. All I know is that I'm either tired, lethargic, and want to bury my head in the sand, or I'm gregarious, with quickened thoughts and a desire to explode into various forms of intoxication (not every day, but frequently and to an extreme at times). I never even knew how bad my problems were (despite many behavioral cues) until I went to the GP because I couldn't sleep through the night and was diagnosed with mental health disorders.
Do your medications help balance out these cycles? Do you feel content and "normal" on a good day as a result of the meds? Did any lifestyle changes help? Do you have any alcohol or drug abuse problems and self-medicate, or did in the past? I need to figure this out and would appreciate your advice.
Thanks,
Jeff
To answer your questions Jeff, yes, currently I'm on Lamictal which seems to help stabilize my moods even tho Lamictal is an anti-convulsant, not a mood-stabiliser per se. (I've only been on Lamictal since Dec. 06). Lithium was my mood-stabilizer med for 13 years straight give or take a few months and a few weeks where I experimented with going off.
I changed my mind, I'm not going to answer all of your questions maybe later, good questions tho.
-EA
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| Bailey
Incredible Member (2000+ posts)
2205 Posts
Gratitude: 575
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Posted - 04/09/2007 : 10:42:51
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Hi Jeff,
I was confused by the tests as you were...the timelines ...well I just couldnt figure them out properly. Everything often feels all mixed up.
I was glad to have the tests to take though, and like you I scored pretty high for bipolar...which has never been diagnosed for me either. It has always been major depressive and PTSD. I think I always knew there that it was something different...but I didnt have the words. Now we do have the words.
I am going tomorrow actually...(Dr. appt. takes too long) to the Mental Health clinic in the hospital to see a counsellor there. I will take a copy of the test I completed, and ask for a referral to a pdoc. Its really important to me...and probably to you as well...to get this illness in hand. The weird ups and downs and all over the maps...are so hard to live with for us and our families and friends.
Thank you for sharing what you did. You helped me...cause as I said..the timelines on the test confused me...and I wondered if I was way off base here. Good to meet you Jeff...hope to talk to you soon.
Laurie
Life is a voyage that is homeward bound! |
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| sunishower
Full Member (100+ posts)
129 Posts
Gratitude: 45
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Posted - 04/09/2007 : 10:59:46
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Hi Jeff,
Welcome. The most important advice I can give you is keep in contact with your doctor. Also, if your GP hasn't referred you to a psych., please ask for a referral. Please do not mess around with these medications (changing doses, etc) without consulting your doctor.
Also, I have found that keeping a daily journal of how I feel and my moods, etc. is very helpful. In looking back on my journal I can see how my moods fluctuate whereas, if I wasn't keeping the journal, the moods all seems to mesh together making it difficult for me to tell my doctor how I was feeling. This may help you organize your thoughts and feelings also.
I a new "bipolar" person too. I am also just "figuring things out" and it can be frustrating. I understand your pain oh too well in trying to get better. Having a mental illness is not like a headache where you can take 2 asprins and all is well in a few minutes. These medications can take awhile and, since everyone's brain is so different, you may have to try several different medications before finding the one which is the best fit for you. Try not to become discouraged. I keep hearing, "it takes awhile" and for me, "awhile" meant a couple weeks... however, it is now going on 4 months. I do not want to sound discouraging, I just want you to understand.
I hope I have been of some help. Hang in there. There are so many people here who understand what you're going through. It helps me to read others "thoughts" and understand.
Sunishower
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| Jeff 4
Starting Member
7 Posts
Gratitude: 8
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Posted - 04/17/2007 : 18:17:06
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Thanks for your input Laurie and Sunishower...sorry I've been away for awhile and couldn't get back to you sooner.
Laurie, please let me know how your appointment went. I have one scheduled for next month with a psychiatrist (1st time ever), but I've been with a GP for mental health issues (depression and anxiety) for about 6 months or so, but I'm hoping someone more specialized will have a better grip on the subject.
I recently started reading a book called Surviving Manic Depression by Fuller Torrey and Michael Knable. It has a lot of valuable information about bipolar disorder, from a variety of perspectives. One thing I didn't think much of before reading this book was about bipolar and creativity. Apparently, bipolar people tend to be represented in creative endeavors more than people without the illness. Pretty interesting.
Sunishower, I like the idea of keeping a journal for moods. It's hard to tell how the cycles run without keeping track. I vaguely remember barely being able to do any work at my desk about a month ago, and leaving early every day, because I felt so overwhelmed that the work was pointless. The past week I've gotten more work done than ever, under a huge amount of stress and practically the same conditions. I've also been really irritable, which in my line of work can be a good thing. I think this is a manic period, so alcohol probably isn't a good idea. It's hard to tell.
Talk to you soon,
Jeff |
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| warblaster
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)
112498 Posts |
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| warblaster
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)
112498 Posts |
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| warblaster
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)
112498 Posts |
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Does Prozac Make it Worse?
