Hi all,

I seem to be in the middle of a pretty bad hypomanic episode - extremely agitated, irritable, can't sleep, racing thoughts, driving my family nuts.

If I were in the States, it wouldn't be a problem: I'd just see my shrink. Unfortunately, I am living in England now so I feel the need to "know my stuff" before going to see a doc. {Trust me, socialized medicine ain't what it's cracked up to be}.

Which med will bring an end to mania quickest?

In my experience, it's Depakote. Anyone else know if it's the best or what would be better to ask for?

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Can somebody help me?

I am not so "fine and dandy" right now....

Hi

In my experience Zyprexa gets me out of a manic state quickly, but it stacks on a pile of weight........I hope you feel better soon.

Munchiexxxxxxxx

Wow - you just described me for the whole of August. Until then, I thought I was just struggling with PreMenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (really bad PMS). Having been on lithium off and on over the last few years, I hoped it would help. At that point I was on 10mg Lexapro which usually kept me from being too anxious or depressed.

I got on the lithium and within 5 days, I had a little relief. More each day, til now, a month later, I'm myself again. I'm still on the Lexapro.

Have you tried lithium?

Elf_ears

Oh, thank you, munchears and elfie! I was afraid no-one was going to answer my post...

I wish there were a way to talk to someone on this board face-to-face (or even over the phone). I need help and I am not in good shape for figuring out how to get it.

I wish you could come to my house for decaf coffee. But really, what you need is a pdoc. How soon can you get into one? While you're waiting, perhaps trying one of these diets for bp would help a little. I really feel for you. I waited and waited for the hypomania to stop, and then realized it wasn't going to. Then all I had to do was call my pdoc and the script was there for me in a couple of hours.

Hugs,
Elf

A diet for bp??? Please tell me more!

The earliest that I can see a shrink here is next Wednesday. I screwed up. I've been managing my meds with my doctor in the States up until this point. I should have gone on and made contact with a doctor here so that I had someone to call when things got bad. But I didn't. So, I have to wait for when there is time for a "new patient visit". Well, hindsight and all that...

Okay, so I will hang on until Wednesday and if this new guy is an idiot, then I will fly home to the States to see my doc there. I would just go ahead and do that, but I figure a new med will require follow-up visits. One emergency flight home, I can do. Several would be difficult.

Thanks for the offer of coffee. I'd love to come over!

Zyprexia......works for manic phase

F & D ~ Seroquel seems to work quickly for mania and also helps with sleep (I see that is a problem for you at this time). I don't know how much Seroquel you are on but an increase should be able to help you out. In the future if you feel mania coming on it is best that you figure something out with your pdoc within 48 hours or it becomes difficult to manage.

As far as diet...stay away from caffeinated products and sugars.

Good luck and I hope that you will be feeling better soon.

Love ~ Goody:angel: :wave:

Goody :wave:

Fineanddandy has problems taking seroquel. She was on a higher dosage but has been cutting back due to side effects...and she is living in the UK and is seeing a pdoc there on Wed. What other drug would work to bring her out of hypomania? I've been suggesting that she try Lamictal in addition to the amount of seroquel that she's now on....

More ideas, please!!

xxTsohl

Oooooops......I was reading something in either this thread or others that she was on Seroquel but didn't realize that it was causing a problem.

Erin was on Risperdal before the Seroquel that worked rather quickly but of course her prolactin levels went up and she ended up lactating and we had to get her off of it. Our pdoc also gave us the option of Geodon at the time so that would probably work out well too. All of these are antipsychotics so Abilify might be another one that many here seem to like.

So FineandDandy I hope that one of those meds might do the thing for you. Sorry about overlooking your problems with Seroquel....didn't realize that you were tapering yourself off of it.

(((((HUGS))))) ~ Goody:angel: :wave:

Yes, you must come for coffee - really, if you're ever in Central PA, let me know! :)

I'm glad you're seeing a pdoc there. I had no idea I would become so close to mine. I hope he's a good guy. I'll pray he has wisdom in helping you.

I don't know much about the diet, just that there is one. I'm going to look into it myself. I have been cutting back on caffeine. Sugar...not so easy. (I just pulled pumpkin bread out of the oven. baking is how I relax...)

Elf :wave:

HHI,

I'm sorry you're having this problem. Any chance of getting results if you call your pdoc in the States? Would he/she be able to contact a doc for you and ask that a med be prescribed?

I am on Lamictal and find it works, Xanax for anxiety, Lorezapam for sleep, Wellbutrin and Luvox.

One more thought: I was in the diplomatic corps, and there is an American doc connected with the embassy. Maybe you could call the embassy and explain and get in there? Worth a try, I think.

Good luck.

Wow. I am overwhelmed by the goodness of strangers. I can't believe that you all are "putting your heads together" on my behalf.

Goody - I think the fact that I can't tolerate higher doses of Seroquel was in another thread. No reason why you should have seen it. It would have been easier, I guess, if I'd asked all my questions in one thread. But, what can I say? Thinking is difficult at this point in time.

Tshol - God Bless You! (and your son). You've been a tremendous help.

Elf - prayers are appreciated!!! When I come see you in PA, I'll bring my own tea - this very British habit has rubbed off on me.

SeaTurtle - thanks for your thoughts. The shrink I'm going to see on Wednesday is in an area with a high concentration of Americans so let's hope that he has adopted more of an American attitude.


Thank you all, my friends.