Posted by JohnX2 on March 7, 2002, at 4:28:54
In reply to Re: Tenex, Clonidine, Norepinephrine, posted by JohnX2 on March 7, 2002, at 4:15:33
I assume you are saying you are "anxious"
when you are *not* on an anti-depressant?This is where I am saying you may be
really just "agitated", i.e. have a little
bit of extra unnerving energy from being bipolar
(but not on an AD or mood stabilizer )
which makes you seem anxious, but some pdocs
would claim you this IS hypomania WITHOUT feeling
euphoric. See what I mean? They changed the definition
of mania to really just mean agitated, which
could include euphoria, etc. It could also
mean you feel angry, anxious, etc, but not euphoric.A better barometer for the anxiety is whether or
not you are actually psychologically worrying about
something or are you just physically antsy? If it
is just physically antsy and physically nervous with
no euphoria then it is probably what is called "dysphoric hypomania".-John
>
> I would be really honest with your doctor about
> the pot question, they don't care. I don't know
> the drug interactions. I'm not a doctor. Take my
> advice with a grain of salt.
>
> I like Lamictal because it has the fewest side
> effects in my opinion. Its less harmful on the liver too,
> which is good if you are drinking. Depakote and Lithium
> are more harsh on the organs.
>
> One caveat about Lamictal is that it is tricky to
> dose into. You need a good doctor to do this. You may
> want to dig through old posts for strategies (I dont
> remember its been so long, i love the med). The main startup
> side effect is skin irritation and maybe a little rash and
> maybe a little dizziness that subsides.
> Just go slowly and if you get itchy slow down. The thereaputic
> dose is 150-300 mg. If you are good, you'll get a nice
> anti-depressant kick and not need any other anti-depressant.
> Otherwise you can work with your doctor on adding Wellbutrin,
> Effexor, whatever. I would stay away from an anti-depressant
> until you get to a good mood stabilizer dose, because the
> AD will just destabilize you.
>
> Usually if you really are bipolar its next to impossible to
> "lock onto" a anti-depressant response without a
> membrane stabilizer in place. It just doesn't work.
> I've been there.
>
> Depakote is quicker to get onto. It has less of an anti-depressant
> profile and may be a bit more coginitive dulling.
>
> Lithium is best if you have sever mania problems.
>
> Good LUCK! Have fun in college (but not too much, do some studying
> ya know).
>
> -John
>
>
> > Thanks John. I am a bit unclear as to what you mean saying it's hard to differentiate between anxiety and ADD symptoms. I have classic non hyperactive ADD, which ritalin works great to fix; I am spacey, easily distractible, and hyperfocused. I know what you mean by mixed states, but usually my hypomanias from NE active antidepressants is quite euphoric (no psychotic reactions whatsoever by the way). What mood stabilizer would you recommend? Which is best for a college student who plans to still drink and maybe smoke pot occasionally?
poster:JohnX2
thread:96815
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/96850.html