[LorrieTorrie]

I was supposed to be on Lithium, but I chickened out after reading some stuff. I asked to be put back on Citalopram and Loxitane. Well, this new doc doesn't want to put me on Loxitane, but agreed to Citalopram 20mg. It's been about a week, and I'm not as depressed as I've been. I'm actually feeling a bit more hopeful, and I was even able to take a shower and brush my teeth these past two mornings. Something that I really hadn't been doing. I'm starting to wonder if I even have bipolar disorder now because the antidepressant appears to be working. Like I said, it's only been a week or so, so I may just be imagining things. Anyone have experience with this?

[ablankscript]

A week is a very short amount of time for an ssri to start working, but that is great that you are feeling better. Why does your doc think you are bipolar, they must think you would benefit from lithium that is a very serious drug. I am no expert, but what is missing a doctor should have told you that if you are bipolar, taking an ssri without a mood stabilizer often induces severe mania. Does your doc know you aren't taking the lithium or is this a personal choice you made without their consent?

[Pastel Kitten]

Please be careful. I was prescribed an AD without a mood stabilizer for a few years before I was thought to be bipolar and it messed me up big time. I've been on lithium for a little over 2 weeks now, and I have not experienced many side effects other than thirst. I know it can be hard but don't let the possible side effects stop you from trying. It's different for every person, and this is why they monitor you to make sure the med does not interact with your body negatively.

[LorrieTorrie]

I'm diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder I and Borderline Personality Disorder, however my doctor thinks that BPD is the main issue, while my therapist thinks that Bipolar is the main issue. He said that he would like to see how I respond to the SSRI first because he believes it may be the BPD responsible for my main issues and that Cyclothymia may be a secondary diagnosis, not Bipolar I. My therapist disagrees, and so did all of my previous therapists and docs. It's always been a battle for me to get the correct diagnosis and treatment. At this point I'm just frustrated. I thought it might be too early to feel better so I posted yesterday how to tell if I was feeling good, or experiencing mania. Would I experience mania this soon?

[Wander]

I take fluoxetine (Prozac) and it really helps keep the depression at bay but it does make me hypomanic so I need a mood-stabiliser such as Lithium to keep me even. Everyone reacts differently to meds so just go with what helps you manage your symptoms. If you do have bipolar there is a high chance you will go hypomanic or mixed within a few weeks but if you don't it doesn't necessarily mean you don't have it, only a pdoc can tell and even they get things wrong at times. Just keep an eye on your symptoms as you adjust to the new anti-depressant.

Originally Posted by LorrieTorrie

I was supposed to be on Lithium, but I chickened out after reading some stuff. I asked to be put back on Citalopram and Loxitane. Well, this new doc doesn't want to put me on Loxitane, but agreed to Citalopram 20mg. It's been about a week, and I'm not as depressed as I've been. I'm actually feeling a bit more hopeful, and I was even able to take a shower and brush my teeth these past two mornings. Something that I really hadn't been doing. I'm starting to wonder if I even have bipolar disorder now because the antidepressant appears to be working. Like I said, it's only been a week or so, so I may just be imagining things. Anyone have experience with this?

Hey hon, SSRIs tend to make those that are bipolar affected manic if not hyper manic. It takes about 2 weeks for the AD to kick in.

You're probably feeling better because you are hopeful with new meds, at least that's how I get, or your depression is lifting naturally.

AD threw me manic for 2 years. I eventually had to stabilize first with Lamictal, then use the AD to bring me to base.

I'm glad that you are feeling better and trust the process.

[Mountainbard]

SSRI's or SNRI's alone always made me hypomanic.