Questions, questions, questions....

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2004
Questions, questions, questions....
2
Tue, 12-14-2004 - 1:49am

Hi everyone.

Anyway, I still haven't talked to my own family doctor about this . I plan on finally discussing it when I have my appointment this week to monitor my meds (currently Wellbutrin). Every time I had seen him previously I had been depressed and it felt like that was all I had ever known, but now after monitoring my moods that I do have separate phases and after doing a couple tests have been determined to be manic. Of course this wasn't my dr. who decided this. So I guess I'm unofficially diagnosed.

I think the main reason I haven't brought it up with him is I refuse to lose the manias. Sure I don't like feeling crazy when my head gets super scrambled but some times it is pretty good - being creative, having lots of energy, being productive and I don't need to eat or sleep. Unfortunately that means I am fluctuating about 10-15lbs every cycle.

So here is what I've been wondering.

Is anyone else on monotherapy?

Is there any information on the long term effects of these drugs. It's really scary thinking I'm going to have to take medication probably for the rest of my life.

Has anyone else had acne as a side effect of Wellbutrin? It isn't listed as one on anything I have read, but my acne is really bad and I don't know exactly when it started but I think it may have been at the same time. If only I could remember what was going on in my life and what meds I was taking when my acne cleared up. I really don't want to have to take another medication for my acne, but if it's not a side effect that's just what I might have to do.

How long do everyone's phases last? I'm considered rapid cycling because i have more than 4 phases a year, but still not as rapid as some. Also, has anyone noticed the length of the phases changing with time? My phases seem to be getting longer with time, although the difference between being properly medicated and not kind of wrecks any comparison.

Currently I am researching medications so I can be ready to discuss it when I go and see my dr. I'm thinking of trying a new anti-depressant from a different family of anti-depressants, probably tricyclic. All the ones I have been on have been SSRIs.

Is anyone still taking Prozac or is that so out-dated now?

How often do you have "normal" phases? Personally they are few and far between. I go from manic to depressive and back again sometimes several cycles before a normal phase.

I feel like there was so much more I wanted to say, but I'm sure you're thankful that's all.

Thanks for listening, I hope someone has some insight.

Schitz

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2004
Wed, 12-15-2004 - 9:12am
"Normal" is relative. They last longer and longer for me as I stay stable on meds. I'm only on one med. That is Lamictal 200mg/night. It has anti-depressant and mood stabilizing qualities which is good because SSRIs freak me out (miserable, crying, panic attacks, etc). This has worked well for me. Amanda
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2004
Fri, 12-17-2004 - 1:10pm

I'm on prozac.

Kristen

Mom to 8 wonderful children!

Loriann Melissahttp://lilypie.com/baby1/060521/1/16/1/-5