[ConfusedOne]

I see my pdoc tomorrow morning. I am afraid to tell her I am having tremors. For the first time in 5 years I am not depressed and don't want to come off my new meds. The trileptal and symbyax are working. I am getting out of the bed several days a week. I have signed up for a drawing class at the senior center. I look forward to going to that. I think I am happy for the first time in years. Should I tell about the tremors,idk? They are mild now but I have seen this before in other meds and know it will get worse.
ConfusedOne

[Slothrop]

Don't be scared--go ahead and tell her. Tremors may just be an annoying but benign side effect.

My psychiatrist has specifically told me that, while she recognizes my tremors are annoying, they do not raise any red flags for her.

Inderal (propranolol), which is often prescribed for high blood pressure, is also often effective in treating tremors. I have tried it and it seems to help.

Good luck!

[Michah]

Originally Posted by ConfusedOne

I see my pdoc tomorrow morning. I am afraid to tell her I am having tremors. For the first time in 5 years I am not depressed and don't want to come off my new meds. The trileptal and symbyax are working. I am getting out of the bed several days a week. I have signed up for a drawing class at the senior center. I look forward to going to that. I think I am happy for the first time in years. Should I tell about the tremors,idk? They are mild now but I have seen this before in other meds and know it will get worse.
ConfusedOne

Yep... I got tremors bad when i started lithium but wore off.......told my psych and he said press on and now I hardly know I take it. If you can stand it, better to be on meds that make you feel better.......I struggle with fine motor skills though.......talk about ways to help you draw if your hands are shaking........there is generally a way around most things. Good luck.....your class sounds great!!!

[Berries]

I have had hand tremors as long as i've been on meds--25 years. It is annoying but the pdoc never took me off my meds because of it.

[ConfusedOne]

I did tell my P about the tremors and she said not to worry about them. As long as they are not permanent it is ok. Thank you all for your guidance. I am scared this good feeling wont last. I am enjoying it while it is here.
ConfusedOne

[Slothrop]

That's great, glad they are nothing to worry about! Best of luck with the meds, hopefully you hit on something that helps you feel good long-term.

[ConfusedOne]

I am still in denial as to if I have bipolar or not. All I read says there is a manic state, well I don't have that. I am out of depression but not manic. I feel good. I just don't understand. I don't like labels. My idea of a bipolar person is someone who has extreme highs and lows. I am sp confused.
ConfusedOne

[Berries]

Have you ever had a manic episode? Or a hypomanic episode?

When you are depressed are you agitated? There is such a thing as a "mixed episode" where you could be in a "agitated depressed" episode or a "dysphoric manic" episode.

Also do you crash into depression after you've been in a good mood. Sometimes hypomania just feels like a good mood, but then you crash into depression afterward.

Just some things to consider.

[Amazonmom]

I am glad you told the pdoc. Sometimes it is scary to ask for what we need.

I am having a hard time with my new Bipolar diagnosis. It's very hard for me to accept, but Bipolar II fits me well factually. No use being Cleopatra, Queen of Denial!

[Rebound]

Originally Posted by ConfusedOne

I am still in denial as to if I have bipolar or not. All I read says there is a manic state, well I don't have that. I am out of depression but not manic. I feel good. I just don't understand. I don't like labels. My idea of a bipolar person is someone who has extreme highs and lows. I am sp confused.
ConfusedOne

Hypomania was mentioned above. A little online research will hopefully clarify for you the difference between the full-blown mania of type I bipolar and the hypomania of type II bipolar. In a nutshell, those of us with the type II variety tend to be depressed much more of the time than we are manic, and then when manic are likely to be in that state for only short periods before lapsing again back into depression. Further, hypomania tends not to be as extreme a high as the common perception of manic behaviour and instead of feelings of being on top of the world, it can manifest as a general feeling of constant anger or agitation. In my case, for example, I tend to get a generally happy and grandiose attitude where for a while I think I can accomplish just about anything but before I actually complete anything I've started it quickly degenerates into a feeling of being pissed off at the world (like now). I expect a prolonged period of depression will soon follow.

As far as labels go, I don't care what my doctor wants to call me as long as he's willing to attempt to help me find a treatment that works. In my case I found a doc who thought of putting away the anti-depressants and took a shot at lamictal. I doubt I'd be here today if not for that because all antidepressants ever did for me was turn me into a zombie.

All that having been said, I think you should consider the following:

You said you feel good. Do you suddenly have ideas for half a dozen projects all at once confident that they'll all be spectacular? If not, I'd say just enjoy the good feelings and try not to worry about it too much. However, the best thing to do in this sort of situation is see a doctor if at all possible, and tell him/her what you are telling us here. I have found that I'm not capable of properly evaluating my own behavior until it gets really out of hand.

I hope this helps.

Take care,

[ConfusedOne]

Thank you Rebound
I am surprised when someone answers my post. I feel like I am the only one in the world with this. I never really thought about till I read your reply. I have stopped smoking, started an art class, started trying to clean up my cluttered house, Built 2 PC's all since coming out of my depression around Feb. Is this Hypomania? It bothers me that I can see the bipolar label now. What really scares me is that means I am going to crash again. I try to keep that thought out of my mind. One day at a time is what I am doing. Thank you for your reply. You made me think.
ConfusedOne