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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Carrie Barton on December 8, 2004, at 13:32:40
Just recently I quit smoking and drinking. Three months after, I began experiencing episodes of severe depression and panic. These attacks last about 4 days and I can't do ANYTHING when they happen. I am seeing a therapist and a psychiatist. I have been prescribed Lexapro but haven't felt much change. I've been on it for three weeks and am coming off of one of the biggest attacks I have had yet. My doctor said this medication can bring out bipolar2 in some cases and to watch for signs. I have been mostly depressed with a moment or two of feeling high.(Not great but like things will stablize) only to end up back in the pit. Does anyone have any experience with this with or without associations to quitting smoking and/or drinking? Thanks
Posted by woolav on December 8, 2004, at 14:14:53
In reply to Could I be bipolar2, posted by Carrie Barton on December 8, 2004, at 13:32:40
I dont have your exact symptoms. But i just wanted to say when I tried to quit smoking it made me spiral into a major depressive episode. I was already on AD's at the time. But it didnt help. So, I started back smoking because obviously I am not ready to quit...
Good Luck
S
Posted by jujube on December 8, 2004, at 18:06:16
In reply to Could I be bipolar2, posted by Carrie Barton on December 8, 2004, at 13:32:40
I know what you are going through. Although I did not quit smoking, I did quit drinking 8.5 years ago. At the same time, I stopped using the over-the-counter stimulating medication that I had been abusing for a few years and also gave up my 10 - 12 cups of coffee habit. Although my anxiety levels were high before this (probably because of the med and the coffee), when I stopped using those three substances, I did crash. I went through what the doctor referred to as an agitated or anxious depression. The first month or so was hell because I tried to treat it naturally with supplements, diet, etc. At that point in my life, I had never been on an antidepressant or any other prescribed medication. Once I was diagnosed, I was put on Paxil, and it was a Godsend for me. It helped me out of the depression and quashed the anxiety and anxiety attacks. It did take about 3 weeks to a month before I felt somewhat better however. And, in that time, I did experience some increased anxiety and fatigue (as a result of start-up side effects). To help combat the increased anxiety, my doctor gave me a very small prescription of Xanax to be used as needed.
I wish you all the best, and good luck with the Lexapro.
Take care.
Tamara
Posted by Ritch on December 9, 2004, at 10:09:49
In reply to Could I be bipolar2, posted by Carrie Barton on December 8, 2004, at 13:32:40
> Just recently I quit smoking and drinking. Three months after, I began experiencing episodes of severe depression and panic. These attacks last about 4 days and I can't do ANYTHING when they happen. I am seeing a therapist and a psychiatist. I have been prescribed Lexapro but haven't felt much change. I've been on it for three weeks and am coming off of one of the biggest attacks I have had yet. My doctor said this medication can bring out bipolar2 in some cases and to watch for signs. I have been mostly depressed with a moment or two of feeling high.(Not great but like things will stablize) only to end up back in the pit. Does anyone have any experience with this with or without associations to quitting smoking and/or drinking? Thanks
I doubt that the Lexapro would *cause* bipolar illness, but it could cause manic symptoms to emerge. It doesn't sound like mania to me. You are probably just experiencing relief that the panic/depression is (albeit temporarily) being controlled. I used to be a heavy smoker and when I quit I didn't get depressed or panicky, but I definitely had a severe case of inattentiveness and confusion that was very frustrating. That lasted a few weeks then faded. ....Anyhow, it sounds like the Lexapro isn't doing much for your panic problems. Three weeks may be too early to tell, but I would bug your doctor about this. You said you just went through the biggest one yet-despite being on meds. You may be one of many folks that don't find SSRI's helpful for their panic and might do better with a tricyclic or an MAOI instead (or even trazodone or Remeron). Lorazepam or alprazolam might be better, but your doctor probably is reluctant to prescribe because of your alcohol abuse history. Bug your doctor about the *worsening* panic situation, that's my 2c. Worsening panic isn't necessarily bipolar disorder. The recurrent nature of the anx. and the duration is a little suspicious, but it's not definitive.
Posted by Lazarus on December 10, 2004, at 17:27:00
In reply to Could I be bipolar2, posted by Carrie Barton on December 8, 2004, at 13:32:40
I have bipolar II diagnosis.
You are bipolar if you are depressed during certain times of the year (e.g., Winter) and excitable during other times (e.g., Spring). If you're wanting to kill yourself in the Fall but then are blowing through stop signs in the Spring you might be bipolar II.
Lazarus
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