Hi Jennifer! Welcome to the board. I hope the Zoloft works for you. Zoloft is an SSRI, and that's a class of meds that can sometimes exacerbate bipolar disorder, specifically mania, if you take it alone. That may be what your new doc was talking about. Don't be alarmed though. Just because it can doesn't mean it will, and it's a good place to start with the meds. Bipolar disorder can be very difficult to medicate properly, largely because we are all different and the medications affect us differently. I spent MANY years on and off of SSRI's before trying Lamictal with them, and...VOILA! Personally, I like docs that just start one medication at a time, at low doses, so the patient can be on the lowest effective doses of meds rather than being overmedicated.
But anyway...welcome. There are a lot of really neat ladies here, as I'm sure you'll see. This is a great place to come for support and information. Hope to "see" you here again!
Welcome. I've posted to let you know that there are so many intelligent women to help you (us) with being BP. I can honestly tell you that they have literally saved my life on numerous occasions. We're a family.....welcome to the family. You are never alone. Feel free to vent, scream, cry, whatever you need to do, like I said, we're family.
I'm sorry we had to meet because of a dx but, I am glad to meet you.
I too had some trouble on an SSRI alone. I do agree though that it's allot nicer to start one med at a time so you can work through any side effects. That way you know which one is giving you troubles.
Yes studies have shown a genetic link. This might help:
Ask the Doctors Information provided in the “Ask the Doctors” column is not meant to take the place of individual consultation with a qualified health care provider. See your health care provider to discuss specific questions about your health, medication and treatment plan.
Question: What is the role of genetics in mood disorders?
Keh-Ming Lin, M.D., M.P.H.: A person’s psychological and behavioral characteristics are significantly influenced by genetic factors, similar to many physical traits, such as height, weight, and hair and eye color. These influences, however, are strongly affected by environmental forces – even identical twins will show significant differences in their temperaments, behaviors and risks for psychiatric problems such as mood disorders. Genetic factors generally account for approximately half of these differences, according to family and twin studies.
With the completion of the Human Genome Project (the mapping of human DNA), science is rapidly moving toward identifying specific variations in the genes that help to make each one of us different and unique. Some of these variations occur in genes that affect the function of the brain (and the production of chemicals related to mood such as serotonin and norepinephrine), and are likely to be associated with risks for mood disorders.
It’s important to keep in mind that there are no specific “disease genes” for mood disorders. Rather, all genes contain variations, and only some of them might prove to be relevant. Each variation increases a person’s disease risk only a small amount. Typically, the combined effects of a person’s multiple genes and his or her interaction with the environment determine the risk for a mood disorder. This is also the case with illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes and asthma. It is believed that in the near future, a better understanding of these interactions will allow us to use genetic and psychosocial information to determine who is at a greater risk for mood disorders, and which treatment methods are likely to be most effective for each individual.
Keh-Ming Lin, M.D., M.P.H. is Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA, Director of the Research Center on the Psychobiology of Ethnicity at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, and a member of DBSA’s Scientific Advisory Board.
I use my SIL as an inspiration with my diabetes. She has let hers go and almost lost a foot, has had kidney failure and is going blind. I'm keeping careful reign on my diabetes so I can understand what you're saying about you Dad. I hope some day he can feel better too. PTSD stinks too!
Hi Jennifer! Welcome to the board. I hope the Zoloft works for you. Zoloft is an SSRI, and that's a class of meds that can sometimes exacerbate bipolar disorder, specifically mania, if you take it alone. That may be what your new doc was talking about. Don't be alarmed though. Just because it can doesn't mean it will, and it's a good place to start with the meds. Bipolar disorder can be very difficult to medicate properly, largely because we are all different and the medications affect us differently. I spent MANY years on and off of SSRI's before trying Lamictal with them, and...VOILA! Personally, I like docs that just start one medication at a time, at low doses, so the patient can be on the lowest effective doses of meds rather than being overmedicated.
But anyway...welcome. There are a lot of really neat ladies here, as I'm sure you'll see. This is a great place to come for support and information. Hope to "see" you here again!
Kristen
Welcome. I've posted to let you know that there are so many intelligent women to help you (us) with being BP. I can honestly tell you that they have literally saved my life on numerous occasions. We're a family.....welcome to the family. You are never alone. Feel free to vent, scream, cry, whatever you need to do, like I said, we're family.
Your daughter is precious! =o)
(((((HUGS)))))
Carla
Jennifer,
WELCOME TO THE BOARD AND THE FAMILY!!!
I'm sorry we had to meet because of a dx but, I am glad to meet you.
I too had some trouble on an SSRI alone. I do agree though that it's allot nicer to start one med at a time so you can work through any side effects. That way you know which one is giving you troubles.
Keep posting and welcome again!
Love,
Jamie
Love,
Jennifer,
Welcome to the group, I'm glad you found us so quickly--it took me about 2 weeks after my dx!
Jennifer,
Welcome to the group!
Welcome!!!!
Glad to meet you. You have found a wonderful little corner of the internet. This has become my home from the very day I first came here.
Any questions, comments, vents feel free to post them. That's what we're here for.
Hugs,
Amanda
I just wanted to thank you all for your welcoming, kind words.
Jennifer,
Yes studies have shown a genetic link. This might help:
Ask the Doctors
Information provided in the “Ask the Doctors” column is not meant to take the place of individual consultation with a qualified health care provider. See your health care provider to discuss specific questions about your health, medication and treatment plan.
Question: What is the role of genetics in mood disorders?
Keh-Ming Lin, M.D., M.P.H.: A person’s psychological and behavioral characteristics are significantly influenced by genetic factors, similar to many physical traits, such as height, weight, and hair and eye color. These influences, however, are strongly affected by environmental forces – even identical twins will show significant differences in their temperaments, behaviors and risks for psychiatric problems such as mood disorders. Genetic factors generally account for approximately half of these differences, according to family and twin studies.
With the completion of the Human Genome Project (the mapping of human DNA), science is rapidly moving toward identifying specific variations in the genes that help to make each one of us different and unique. Some of these variations occur in genes that affect the function of the brain (and the production of chemicals related to mood such as serotonin and norepinephrine), and are likely to be associated with risks for mood disorders.
It’s important to keep in mind that there are no specific “disease genes” for mood disorders. Rather, all genes contain variations, and only some of them might prove to be relevant. Each variation increases a person’s disease risk only a small amount. Typically, the combined effects of a person’s multiple genes and his or her interaction with the environment determine the risk for a mood disorder. This is also the case with illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes and asthma. It is believed that in the near future, a better understanding of these interactions will allow us to use genetic and psychosocial information to determine who is at a greater risk for mood disorders, and which treatment methods are likely to be most effective for each individual.
Keh-Ming Lin, M.D., M.P.H. is Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA, Director of the Research Center on the Psychobiology of Ethnicity at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, and a member of DBSA’s Scientific Advisory Board.
I use my SIL as an inspiration with my diabetes. She has let hers go and almost lost a foot, has had kidney failure and is going blind. I'm keeping careful reign on my diabetes so I can understand what you're saying about you Dad. I hope some day he can feel better too. PTSD stinks too!
Love,
Jamie
Love,