Dreams disturb my sleep

[Nexis]

Originally Posted by tattoos

Thanks for your reply. I definitely don't have manic episodes. Maybe I could be Bipolar 2???? I am not on any antidepressants as they increase my anxiety. Maybe I do need a sleep study.
Bella

Its interesting that you said the antidepressant increases your anxiety.

Because in a Bipolar 1 patient ( which I assume you are not because you don't have the manic phase) the need a MOOD stabilizer along with the antidepressant because the antidepressant alone will cause a MANIC State.


So lets say in a Bipolar 2 patient, if you are NOT taking a mood stablizer and just an antidepressant, IT will cause or possibly cause a "Agitation" Anxiety, where you feel restlessless, irritability. So Bipolar 2 is called "soft bipolar", you don't go on crazy shopping sprees, drug use, yet you feel hyperrestless, talk fast, and its like having a morbid anxiety, hyperness.



I have alot of friends who are Bipolar 1, Yet I never heard of Bipolar 2 until recently.

I am waiting for a book called "Why am I always depressed". Its on its way through mail order so I don't really know the contents, yet it goes in detail of the other forms of "Bipolar" conditions. This was an eye opener for me since I thought there was just one form of "Bipolar" the really Manic and Depress dramatic episodes.

[tattoogirl]

I am on Lamictal (an anti-seizure medicine) which is a mood stabilizer. I don't get "manic" but get panicky....can't sit still, heart races,feel scared,hard to breath and have so many thoughts. I do not have the really fast paced talk....MY SISTER DOES THOUGH!!!! Actually I just got off the phone with her and her talk was so fast and crazy I had to keep telling her to slow down. When I got off the phone (and when I was on it) I became sooooooo anxious! I felt like taking a drink!

Let me know how the book is. Maybe it could give me some insight that might help.

After I had my son and had post-partum I did have the "rapid cycling" I think that occurs with Bipolar 2. But a lot was messed up at the time. Now I just get really depressed and anxious/panicky. My doctor said it is the PTSD and Anxiety/Panic Disorder associated with the PTSD. They are also checking me for ADD/ADHD. Dunno, each doctor has there own take. But even with a mood stabilizer antidepressants make me worse. Thanks again. UUUGGGHHH life sure can be a mystery!
Bella

[Nexis]

That is interesting, what did the doctor say in you taking the lamacital?

Have you tried other mood stablizers? Such as Depakote?

Is it for your anxiety or for your depression? Because that drug is usually prescribed to BIPOLAR condition so maybe the doctor made a Bipolar 2 assessment.

Is it helping? You could also try something like "KLONOPIN" for your anxiety. Its a long acting hypnotic drug.


Keep posting this is an interesting conversation. I am learning alot!

You and I have very similar symptoms. Its hard to tell if its ADHD or the rapid cycling that is causing the agitation.

[tattoogirl]

My sister who is Bipolar takes a mood stabilizer (lamictal) and an anti-pychotic (albilify). Usually, from my understanding, this is the combination for Bipolar...not necessarily anti-depressants. I had been on topomax years ago and it helped but messed up my eye sight. HATED depakote! I was on anti-depressants in the past and they helped (when I had post-partum) but now they don't. My doctor told me that the lamictal can help stabilize your mood and keep you from falling into a really deep depression (I have major depressive disorder).

I am also prescribed ativan for my anxiety. This is actually the best combination of meds I have had in years. Klonipin actually caused me to feel angry (again I had it when I had post-partum). My panic attacks have disapated greatly (on my current meds) but my anxiety is continous. I guess I should be grateful that my full fledged panic attacks are very far and few. I don't have the "rapid cycling" I had with post-partum. Not sure exactly what is going on. Been dealing with this stuff for so long and really have no idea.

I totally agree with not knowing if it is ADHD which I have many symptoms of, or perhaps I might have a form of Bipolar, or is it my PTSD (anxiety/panic)???? All I know is that it sucks. It's really confusing!.
So many of these issues mimic on another.

I am also on Tramadol for Fibromyalgia which helps increase seretonin so being on an anti-depressant really isn't an option since it can cause a seretonin overload which is very dangerous.

I really hope we can figure this crap out!

Bella

[tattoogirl]

I am sorry with asking for interpretation of my dream. I didn't know it was not ok. But I did have a great mutual conversation with Nexius. Is continued dialogue with her ok.? Or should/can I start a new thread? Or should I cease this thread? Thank you.
Bella