NEW to Forum - advice desperately needed!

Diseases & Conditions Bipolar Disorder
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I stumbled upon this forum by accident and am SO glad I did!
 
I am a 36 year old Female who was mis-diagnosed w/Clinical Depression for 15 years.
 
After a Hospitalization at the end of June (my 3rd), for a suicide attempt (my 2nd), I was finally correctly diagnosed with BiPolar II.
 
I was started on 900mg of Lithium and an increasing dose of Lamictal (I am now stable on that med at 200mg.)   I am also on Xanax as needed for anxiety - 1mg up to 3 times per day as needed.
 
None of this has brought me out of my Depression - I am still feeling the black hole (as I call it) of Depression.  Some days it is too much to even get out of bed or answer the phone.
 
I saw my Pshychiatrist (by the way, is that  "pdoc") yesterday and he put me back on Prozac (which I was on previously for my so-called "Clinical Depression")  but he has high hopes that with the Lithium and Lamictal, it will bring me a bit "up" and out of this desperately bad Depression.  He put me on 20mg per day, starting today.
 
My question to you all:    Is anyone else on this combo of meds...and did it help?   I really need to know if I should get my hopes up??     I see my Pshychiatrist every 2 weeks.....just saw him yesterday (Wednesday).
 
Thanks in advance for anyone who replies........

deb

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Hi, deb, welcome to the forum!

I am so sorry you're in the dark place, it's AWFUL!   I've been there like you said where you physically can't do anything, it's called leaden paralysis, and happens only in BP depression. 

I am concerned that your pdoc (that's right btw!) chose an SSRI (Prozac, zoloft, celexa, cymbalta, effexor,  lexapro, etc) which is not recommended for BPs because they usually cause hypo/mania, or panic attacks or severe anxiety.  It may bring you out, but please watch for signs of hypomania, if you cycle wide, you will just crash harder next time, so be mindful.   Wellbutrin is a better choice in BP depression, esp combined with 200mg Lamictal. Great combo, without sexual side effects or mania.

I do hope you come out of it very soon, fall is named fall for a reason. (depression usually happens along with rapid cycling in fall).  I do feel for you, sweetie.

P.s. to answer your question, yes, I was on Prozac last year with the Lamictal, second dose I was in the ER with a panic attack and got hypomanic, I had never had a panic attack before and didn't recognize it in myself, I thought I was dying!  But not just me, pretty much all BPs end up with a bad experience on them.

shannon1


Variety is the spice of life, BP is the key

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I did that with Celexa, the anxiety and panic was so bad I crawled under the bed to try to get away from it. But that's just me. I have physcosis too. While I take an SSRI in my cocktail I take other things that keep me from going up and over the edge. I would really watch that combo, but again, that's just me. Shannon is right about the crash too. Every good climb usually ends with a crash that comes with a resounding thump as you hit bottom.

BTW I'm Sandra, BP1 rapid cycler, stable 2 months and counting. I too was misdiagnosed. I suffered pretty badly for that misdiagnosis, but I am dong well now. For me and several others here meds are in a nearly constant state of adjustment to make sure the cocktail is working at it's optimal level. So even if you don't get it right the first time don't be discouraged. And don't be afraid Deb, it does get better.

Sandra

BP brings new meaning to Life's Little Ups and Downs

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Shannon and Sandra - thanks SO much for the replies!!     I was (and am) also worried that the Prozac might not be a good choice for me......but I am so down right now and figured that 20mg per day of Prozac is a pretty low dose.    Like I said, I do have the Xanax for anxiety........I just want to get out of the dumps - it is a terrible, dark place - I am sure u both know the feeling......

deb

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No problem, deb, we're always here anytime you need to vent or want advice. :-)    Be careful, tho, I was only on 10mg.  Second day to the ER I went!  

Maybe you could ask him for some Wellbutrin to add if the Prozac doesn't agree with you, always good to have a backup plan!   Rest well, sweetie.

Shannon

Variety is the spice of life, BP is the key

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I promise to keep you all advised as to what goes on with the Prozac - the pdoc said that it SHOULD take effect way before the typical 4 - 6 weeks....

Once again, I am so glad to have found this forum...it is comforting (is that the right word to use in this situaiton) to know that I am not alone in this....

Thank you all very much!!

deb

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Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh .. Prozac run. Kidding but not . Okay I hope this works for you, but my experience was like Shannon's . It was scary. Are you feeling more depressed?  I worry becuase I don't want anyone to have to go through the awful affect like i did. Also did on Effexor. If your stable on those meds , I wouldn't think you should feel so bad. Can your pdoc add wellbutrin, or increase the lamcital rather then adding Prozac. That seems so strange. well I really do hope it helps you. I truely just hate those meds for any Bipolar. Let us know how it helps for you? Are you still taking your xanax? By the way i am Nickie, Bipolat type I rapid-cycling all the way. I am achieving stabilty. Usually it sounds like I am hypo., because i am a hyper person. lol Imagine that. I take lots of meds, Topamax , Wellbutrin, Lamictal, Ativan.... I also have diabetes type II. But I keep that under control. So that's me!! Well part of me, I would hate to say that's all of me. Talk later, and good luck!!!

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Well, we are having a bit of trouble keeping the Lithium at a "stable, therapeutic" level - it bounces around so much from too low to too high.........he did mention an increase in the Lamictal also but wants to try the Prozac first.  I see him again on the 2nd of November but will call him sooner if anything goes haywire!

I just hate the depression sooo much, it is completely debilitating - he didn't say how long he was going to keep me on the Prozac?  Maybe just until this depression starts to lift?     I am a bit nervous after reading all the replies from people going hypomanic from having it added - I really don't know why he put me on it other then, in the past I have been on:   Trazadone, Pamelor, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Zoloft and Prozac.   Prozac was the only one that helped a bit with the depression so maybe that's why he chose it.......of course, those were all tried during my mis-diagnosis phase, too.....which could be why they didn't help......? ? ?  confused

I'll keep an eye on my "mood / emotions" and see how it goes...............

deb

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PS -   Yes, I still take my Xanax - my script is for 1mg   3 times per day, but I usually just need it once per day and then also at night to fall asleep.

deb