Tricyclic Antidepressants

More Depressed than Manic

Question:

Hi Everyone: Any thoughts on this will be helpful: Over the past 5 years, I have been more on the depressed side than manic. I get into these "physical" depressions where I can hardly move.  I am not mentally depressed, I read, sit at the computer, watch tv, etc, I just have to desire to do a damn thing. My Dr. and I have been through a hell of a lot of meds trying to treat this, and right now we are trying Topomax, Synthyroid, and Dexedrine. He stopped the Zoloft. My question is I wonder if the older you get with this Disorder, the less manic you get and the more episodes of depression you have? There are days where I would just love to have one good manic moment again! I am 49 btw. Anyone else going through this? GM

Response:

Gayle- I think that some people just suffer from the depression more than the mania.  I think that I’m in that category.  You sound dysthymic to me; because you can still read, etc. and sound more apathetic than severely depressed. What are the Topomax and the Dexedrine for?  Forgive my ignorance… And why are you now off of the Zoloft? -bpk

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Everyone: > Any thoughts on this will be helpful: > Over the past 5 years, I have been more on the depressed side than manic. I > get into these "physical" depressions where I can hardly move.  I am not > mentally depressed, I read, sit at the computer, watch tv, etc, I just have > to desire to do a damn thing. My Dr. and I have been through a hell of a lot > of meds trying to treat this, and right now we are trying Topomax, > Synthyroid, and Dexedrine. He stopped the Zoloft. > My question is I wonder if the older you get with this Disorder, the less > manic you get and the more episodes of depression you have? There are days > where I would just love to have one good manic moment again! I am 49 btw. > Anyone else going through this? > GM

Response:

I know exactly what you mean.  When I am "depressed" I am not sad or melancholy, but I feel like when I am making bread and "punch" down the dough.  Deflated.  Even my heartbeat is depressed, my breathing is depressed, my thoughts are depressed.  I am 54 next month.  I am on lithium, neurontin and imipramine (low doses of all).  The neurontin seems to be the best antidepressant I have ever had and believe me, I’ve tried them all. One thing I do NOT want, though, is a manic episode. I am a rapid cycler so my "moods" don’t usually last longer than a day or so. Good luck. Val in Boise

Response:

My father has is BP – I think that there are many variations in the severity and frequency of symptoms depending on the person.  Some of his worst (from his family’s point of view) manic episodes were in his 40s and early 50s. That is why no particular med can help everyone.  All of our individual Dr’s have to see us on a regular basis and see what they think will suit us  best as individuals. Hope this helps…? Louise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Everyone: > Any thoughts on this will be helpful: > Over the past 5 years, I have been more on the depressed side than manic. I > get into these "physical" depressions where I can hardly move.  I am not > mentally depressed, I read, sit at the computer, watch tv, etc, I just have > to desire to do a damn thing. My Dr. and I have been through a hell of a lot > of meds trying to treat this, and right now we are trying Topomax, > Synthyroid, and Dexedrine. He stopped the Zoloft. > My question is I wonder if the older you get with this Disorder, the less > manic you get and the more episodes of depression you have? There are days > where I would just love to have one good manic moment again! I am 49 btw. > Anyone else going through this? > GM

Response:

Ok you guys…. once again I get up on my soap box.  DO NOT EVER EVER EVER (did I say EVER?) let your pdoc fuck with your thyroid.  PERIOD. They simply are not qualified.  By all means, let them do the blood work and keep an eye on its functioning, but NEVER EVER EVER let them change it!   Changes in your thyroid effect more than just mood disorders.  Read up on what the thyroid gland does and THEN AND ONLY THEN, with the knowledge you glean, allow ANYONE to fuck with it. James and I went around and around on this one.  And guess what… HE WAS/IS WRONG! Linda – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hi Everyone: >Any thoughts on this will be helpful: >Over the past 5 years, I have been more on the depressed side than manic. I >get into these "physical" depressions where I can hardly move.  I am not >mentally depressed, I read, sit at the computer, watch tv, etc, I just have >to desire to do a damn thing. My Dr. and I have been through a hell of a lot >of meds trying to treat this, and right now we are trying Topomax, >Synthyroid, and Dexedrine. He stopped the Zoloft. >My question is I wonder if the older you get with this Disorder, the less >manic you get and the more episodes of depression you have? There are days >where I would just love to have one good manic moment again! I am 49 btw. >Anyone else going through this? >GM

Response:

I wonder that too, seems to be the case for me also. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My question is I wonder if the older you get with this Disorder, the less > manic you get and the more episodes of depression you have? There are days > where I would just love to have one good manic moment again! I am 49 btw. > Anyone else going through this? > GM

Response:

How long have you been on the Synthroid?  Does it seem to be doing anything for you, and what dose are you on? As for Linda Channell’s comment, here is my story:  My dad, a doctor of internal medicine, advised me against taking thyroid hormone.  He said that the dose my doctor prescribed was the equivalent to half the average man’s full replacement of thyroid.  And that it would give me jitters. I didn’t listen. And here’s why.  I am fighting an enemy with my back to a river.  I have tried numerous medications and the only other options are MAOIs and ECTs.  So I am putting my faith in thyroid.  I haven’t experienced any side-effects. Eric and I are going through the same treatment. * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping.  Smart is Beautiful

Response:

Here’s another comment.  If you’re stupid enough to blindly let a pdoc fuck with your thyroid hormone WITHOUT researching it, you’re stupid. Plain and simple.  Pretty much goes for any treatment, but common sense tells you that a pdoc doesn’t specialize in endrocine problems. Linda – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >How long have you been on the Synthroid?  Does it seem to be >doing anything for you, and what dose are you on? >As for Linda Channell’s comment, here is my story:  My dad, >a doctor of internal medicine, advised me against taking >thyroid hormone.  He said that the dose my doctor prescribed >was the equivalent to half the average man’s full >replacement of thyroid.  And that it would give me jitters. >I didn’t listen. >And here’s why.  I am fighting an enemy with my back to a >river.  I have tried numerous medications and the only other >options are MAOIs and ECTs.  So I am putting my faith in >thyroid.  I haven’t experienced any side-effects. >Eric and I are going through the same treatment. >* Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping.  Smart is Beautiful

Response:

yep, i’ve experienced the same thing. in my late teens and early 20s, i was almost always manic. (there were several depression pop-ups.) when i was 25, i started into a black, suicidal, dabilitating depression. it has taken me 2 years and 12 or so failed medications to get most of ‘me’ back. mcmoebius – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My question is I wonder if the older you get with this Disorder, the less > manic you get and the more episodes of depression you have? There are days > where I would just love to have one good manic moment again! I am 49 btw. > Anyone else going through this? > GM

Response:

Would you suggest only an endocrinologist prescribe thyroid meds then? What about a family doctor? — Deep

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Ok you guys…. once again I get up on my soap box.  DO NOT EVER EVER > EVER (did I say EVER?) let your pdoc fuck with your thyroid.  PERIOD. > They simply are not qualified.  By all means, let them do the blood > work and keep an eye on its functioning, but NEVER EVER EVER let them > change it! > Changes in your thyroid effect more than just mood disorders.  Read up > on what the thyroid gland does and THEN AND ONLY THEN, with the > knowledge you glean, allow ANYONE to fuck with it. > James and I went around and around on this one.  And guess what… HE > WAS/IS WRONG! > Linda >Hi Everyone: >Any thoughts on this will be helpful: >Over the past 5 years, I have been more on the depressed side than manic. I >get into these "physical" depressions where I can hardly move.  I am not >mentally depressed, I read, sit at the computer, watch tv, etc, I just have >to desire to do a damn thing. My Dr. and I have been through a hell of a lot >of meds trying to treat this, and right now we are trying Topomax, >Synthyroid, and Dexedrine. He stopped the Zoloft. >My question is I wonder if the older you get with this Disorder, the less >manic you get and the more episodes of depression you have? There are days >where I would just love to have one good manic moment again! I am 49 btw. >Anyone else going through this? >GM

Response:

Family doctors are ok to prescribe thyroid medications and keep an eye on your thyroid, but tell me… when was the last time your pdoc measured, PHYSICALLY MEASURED your thyroid gland.  When did he make you swallow water and feel for lumps as it went down.  Come on.  You wouldn’t go to a podiatrist to deliver a baby.  Or would you?  A family doctor is perfectly suited to keep an eye on your thyroid, although I didn’t change from my endochronologist until I was 35. Linda – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Would you suggest only an endocrinologist prescribe thyroid meds then? What >about a family doctor?

Response:

Filed under: Imipramine