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for 15 år siden 0 +0 / -0 3043

Breanne, It may take me a while with the pineal gland/antidepressant thing (focus, concentration issues) but I will let you know what I discover - eventually. I'll take my time and do it, if that's the way it works, I'm working on accepting that.

for 15 år siden 0 +0 / -0 3043

Hi Rose:

Lable or not you are the same person. I know that a lable or a pigeon-hole is comforting because it gives is a slot to put all the weirdness into. But really that is all it dose, it does not tell the medical community to follow a set equation. I have therefore you treat. These disorders are all different chemical imbalances; three chemicals with different imbalances in each and affect different parts of the brain.

So with all this I see the disorder more as a psychologist would see it. "Walking with a limp", I call it. It is a certain illness that causes a lack at times and as a patient with the illness I have learned to live with this lack. It affects the way I think. It is part of my personality. So my psychologist - by getting to know me - will see this interior dynamic and be able to further tell me which mood disorder I respond to live's stresses the most.

since we have wandered over to mood disorders and Rose would like to look into Bipolar Disorder Here are a few of my favorites:

*dbsalliance.org: has an online screening so you have an idea if you COULD have a mood disorder and you have a paper to discuss with you doctor. ALSO, it has a nice list of signs and symptoms of the highs and lows. I like the site because it has a WORKBOOK...

*healthyplace.com: explains the symptoms and gives time references. So if you are having a good week it is not hypomania, kind of mix-up. It also explains a bit about diagnosing "procedures" for bipolar disorder and we realise that psyciatric-medicine is an art right now more than a science.. but that is another debate.

*bipolarhelpcenter.com: is also an information site set-up differently with and interesting FAQ.

and...

*livingmanicdepressive.com: IS MY ABSOULTE FAVORITE. it is information and one person's experience with the illness. and when you are going through things for the first time... experience is what you want!!! The writer really knows THEIR manifestation of the illness and writes with such claritry that it is possible to see those lists (above) come to life and become real!

for 15 år siden 0 +0 / -0 1693

Goofy,

You are a wealth of knowledge! I think its a great idea if you look into the effects of anti-depressants/pineal gland cysts. Let us know what you discover. Also, let us know how it goes on Tuesday.

Enjoy your weekend!

Breanne, Bilingual Health Educator

for 15 år siden 0 +0 / -0 3043

Breanne, Thanks, that opens another door for me to want to look into - the effects of anti-depressants/pineal gland cysts. I am not a recreational drug user nor am I in recovery. I do however work in a short term/long term residential a/d treatment facility so I am sure this information would also be useful in my work. This could explain how the pineal gland interacts with stimulants, I am aware of illicit drugs and their effects of neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and epinephrine) that's as far as we go in teaching at the facility.

The doctor's have told me it is not significant (big enough) to be a factor effecting my circadian rhythms though I have so many issues in this area - hmmmm???? I'll just look into the other aspects as I think I am beating a dead horse with my physician on this one and I've heard this from a gp and neurologist and also my psychiatrist.

The gp suggested we get some blood work done, addressed the issues with my stomach and suggested I take acetomeniphen (SP?) (Tylenol). She wants to wait until after I see the results of the blood tests and how a higher dose of the Brand Name (Tylenol) effects the headaches. She told me that I could not exceed a certain mg/day and to see if this alleviates it. And of course, if I don't have a headache don't take it. She saw no signes of any sinus issues which may be causing the headaches and then we talked about if he(the psychiatrist) still doesn't think it's the lamictal doing additional tests - I probably won't go there - This kind of stuff goes in a vicious circle. She addressed the other issue I originally was going to see her for and that was my stomach. We switched up some meds. I call her back on Tuesday to see how this is going and getting blood test results.

for 15 år siden 0 +0 / -0 1693

Wow, so much great information here!

Goofy- Unfortunately, I don't know too much about pineal gland cysts. I have however read that some studies suggest that in rodents the pineal gland may influence the actions of recreational drugs, such as cocaine, and antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac). Your doctor or pharmacist would be a much better reference than myself!

Breanne, Bilingual Health Educator

for 15 år siden 0 +0 / -0 3043

Unipolar or MDD is me being down (depressed all the time). I am only "up" because I take medications and they are not effective 24/7. I just had to up my lamictal because it wasn't working or I wasn't working or something.

Bipolar is like a pendulum on one side of the arc is severe depression on the other side of the arc is mania. A person's pendulum (mood) swings from side to side (not necessarily all the way to either extreme nor is the time frame consistent). There are different types of Bipolar. Bipolar 1, 2 and mixed and maybe some others (memory and depression).

I get some good information from www.nami.org, www.dbsalliance.org, www.crazymeds.org (be sure to read the disclaimer and source of information and consult with your physician before doing anything). and then the www.nimh.nih.gov

I hope these sights help you learn about these things.

It is not important for me to have a label as much is it is how to recognize what is going on with me from day to day and do something about it. If you NEED a label - there is nothing wrong with that. That is why we are all unique! We all have unique needs!

They also ask if a person is easily agitated, been involved in sexual promiscuity, those are some common characteristics of a person with bipolar disorder, but if a person answered yes to all of them, they may not be bipolar. There are some tests that can be used as a diagnostic TOOL but they are not totally conclusive and the results can be determined to be invalid.I understand the Beck Depression Inventory is good in determining the extent of depression. The MMPI has also been a useful diagnostic tool. There are others I am not remembering I am sure. I took a bipolar questionnaire of some sort with my psychiatrist. However, psychiatrist don't use these as much as psychologist. The diagnosis comes much more subjective and from the answers to the questions and over time. The DSM-IV-TR is used and if a person meets the criteria outlined there, then that's the DSM code you get stuck with, thus the label. The DSM-IV-TR is not available on line but you can read about it and what it is. It is also necessary code for most insurance just like ICD and CPT codes are used for medical conditions.

I have worked in the mental health field for a number of years and the diagnostic codes don't seem to matter as much as the fact that the treatment is working for whatever reason. There are four different major types of meds used in the treatment of MDD. Some are SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), tricyclic antidepressants, MOAI (monoamine oxide inhibitors) and some others if they got a name I can't remember it (lol, the depression kicks in here). Anyway there are other treatments for people who are depressed like ECT and vagus nerve stimulators, but those are extreme (in my opinion). I am not as familiar with treatment for bipolar disorder. I did not know that lamictal could be used to treat MDD either, but it is approved in the US for treatment of depression, as well as seizures and bipolar disorder.

I wanted to know everything I could comprehend about my condition. I studied (so slowly, ever so slowly) due to the concentration and focus difficulties - I still have lots of problems reading - but keep plugging away at it to learn more. I learned about both bipolar and unipolar. I bought what I think is a great book - called The Bipolar Workbook by Monica Ramirez Basco, PhD. It is also CBT based (cognitive behavioral therapy). If I could find a CBT certified therapist within 150 m

for 15 år siden 0 +0 / -0 142

hi goofy,
mdd, but that one psychiatrist said bipolar - i drive them and me nuts with questions - i want a label. one or the other....i had no idea lamictal could be used for mdd. it sure didn't work for me - should i take that as i'm not bipolar? the lexapro seems to help but primarily just in the not crying all day perspective. mods - is it constructive to want a label? what is the difference between uni/bipolar and how can you really make a definitive diagnosis? is that even possible? the psychiatrist i see now said if the lexapro didn't help he would then question whether or not i was bipolar. he agreed that it could be subtle. hypomania - not mania. why do they always ask the same 2-3 questions? can you get by on 2-3 hours sleep a night? can't sit still? spend too much - shopping sprees, etc. i sleep fine, lazy as hell, have no money to spend. but there have been times........it's so confusing!
thanks for writing back, good luck w/gp today. breanne, can you direct me to that info or recommend any books? thanks!

for 15 år siden 0 +0 / -0 3043

Rose,

they are still saying MDD. I'm not diagnosed bipolar. I don't have the hypomania or manic episodes. I have only been depressed since first dx in 2004. Lamictal is sometimes used to treat MDD. I thought that they were saying (changing the dx) to bi-polar at first because it is primarily used to treat BD. The psychiatrist said no. Not trying to sound like a smart -elic. At this point what's in a label? If the meds are working.

When I was first diagnosed my anxiety was so bad, that I took the klonopin during the day. Now I take it on a prn basis. I am guessing twice in the last two months during the day. But I take it every night. I have had more anxiety than 2x in the last two months, but use deep breathing, try to walk it off, "change the channels" (another thread) and meditation to ward it off. It is only when I don't have the opportunity or the above doesn't work that I take them during the day. Now they are only prescribed for nighttime, but my psychiatrist is aware that sometimes I need them during the day, so my Rx reads up to 1.5 mg prn and I keep him informed of when I am taking them when I see him. If I do have to take them, they make me drowsy!

Are you diagnosed with MDD or Bipolar Disorder?

I know since he upped my lamictal 2 weeks ago - the positive sides are I don't come home and sleep (though I've not gotten productive with household chores - yet?) I don't sleep all weekend. I don't sleep as much at night (was 10 hours) now 8 hours or less. I still take the klonopin to offset the side effects of the lamictal which are horrid dreams! I was not transitioning to the right stages of sleep so the sleep I was getting wasn't effective. They had me on Provigil at one point. It helped me stay awake and alert. But geez, I was up to 17 meds a day for various things. I quit all that stuff. I take 4 pills. Lamictical, Klonopin and Nexium and HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy). Fish Oil with Omega 3's (also helps mood) it is OTC but my doctors are aware that I am taking it. The HRT supposedly has some mood stabilizing properties as well. This information is what I have been told by my GP. I make sure every Dr. I see knows what the other Dr are doing. I take nothing OTC without talking to some doctor about it first. I don't take anything for the Meneire's Disease. The meds make me drowsy and the dizziness too so I decided I didn't need it, Dr agreed.

I see the general practitioner about my headaches today - will be interesting.

Thanks for the suggestion Breanne after the gp, I'll contact my mail-order pharmacy.

Breanne, what do you know about pinneal gland cysts. I have learned a bit, but my anatomy and physiology and extensive medical terminology is not the best. I know that it controls and/or produces melatonin which is what regulates the bodies sleep/wake cycle. In looking for what was causing my dizziness they found one that is 2mm in diameter. I understand, according to the Dr. that size and smaller are very common and are usually not treated.

well, I wrote more than I intended. Looking forward to hearing back from both of you - thanks!

for 15 år siden 0 +0 / -0 142

hello goofy,
if you want to fall asleep fast try restoril - it's a benzo very similiar to the klonopin - i take 1.5mg, too but spread out over 3x a day. did you always know you were bipolar or did the doctors at first tell you depression? this confuses me, big time. one doc put me on lamictal - and my throat and tongue turned black and gold. scared the hell out of me. the next doc assumes MDD and put me on lexapro. how did you finally get the diagnosis?

for 15 år siden 0 +0 / -0 1693

Goofy,

I would suggest speaking with your pharmacist. They might be able to give you more information, or suggest an alternative medication that has the same effect, minus the side effects!

Breanne, Bilingual Health Educator

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