Mania W/O depression - New idea

[James is weird]

Hi guys,
I was Alongside being diagnosed with ADHD and being given dexedrine, i was also given Sodium Valporate (A mood stabilizer) for Mania symptoms.

I went with it, even though i knew i didnt get depressed or low after my Mania like highs, and i honestly didnt mind it, i would even go to the point of saying that i enjoy them even when they would randomly come out.

(At the most unusual times even!
Like at 6am during and after work (10-12 hour shift working in a night club)
I felt ontop of the world and loopy as a coconut!!
Haha anyway back to my idea)

I tried the mood stabilizers for about 3 weeks now, i do notice i am less manic (Less impulsiveness and irritable or in a rush) but the downsides of the meds suck (less cognitivly sharp, horrible memory, zoning out, confusion etc).

Anyway, my psych told me (half heartedly) 'oh maybe do a blood test too', i went and got my thyroid and blood work checked.
The doctor said:
Thyroid - normal range (yet low)
Blood - All fine but low white blood count (mighta had a cold)

Me being me, i had to go over every word of the report with a magnifying glass and laptop at hand.

When i got to the testosterone reading,
I googled what a low and high reading equates to.
Low: low sex drive, poor concentration, no love for life/spring in your step.... AND Depresion.

A high reading:
High sex drive, aggressiveness, irritability, poor impulse control
BUT MOST INTERESTINGLY:
MANIA.

So if you have noticed Manic symptoms then maybe check your testosterone levels - especially if you are young, work out frequently or are on supplements which may increase your T-levels (referring to natural stuff here).


For the mean time, im gonna play doctor, wein off my mood stabilizers and hopefully never go back!

PS: Im talking to the guys, not too sure if its the same with women - might be worth the research if people are interested

Gimme your thoughts

Show some love ya'll :P

[peripatetic]

my thoughts:

if you really stop your mood stabilizers...just...always your psychiatrist in the loop. i hope you're right. i hope it's just always up...though...cycling changes things...hypo/mania is unsustainable...i totally get why you'd chase it...encourage it...not want to suppress it. if you find yourself having mixed states or sinking into depression...it's important that you always have an open line of communication with your healthcare provider, you might not even really see it in yourself until you're gripped by it...and someone who maybe isn't in the medical field...but you just trust...because most bipolar people will go off meds...and going off and on...it's a dangerous game to play with your brain...it makes it harder to get stabilized again...but you know, if you stop and face plant...all's not lost, so...just keep trying to make whatever work, you know?

i don't know, man...i can't really advocate for going with the highs in lieu of trying to maintain balance...but that's different from advocating for the person. and i wish you the very best in navigating this, and i'm rooting for you. truly.

[crystal8080]

I'm in the same boat. I'm also on that mood stabilizer, been about a week. I got my blood tested, but it was for a 'baseline'...to see if there are changes in the future.

I would hold off going off them, give it some more time and see your doctor before making any decisions to stop your medication. There's more at play than a single hormone.

[CheekyMonkey]

Going off mood stabilizers without talking to your pdoc. Yikes.

I've seen this story before and it doesn't end well.


Be careful and if you feel like you are getting too manic or depressed call your pdoc ASAP.

[James is weird]

Im on a very funny relationship with my Pdoc.
I will call and talk to her if necisary but it almost feels like she doesnt have time for me.

Ive only been on them for a few weeks, and im hooorible at taking pills routinely,
Over the past 3 weeks ive probably missed 8 doses (i work friday and sat nights till 6am the next morn + i dont take on sundays some nights either)

It just feels like the stabilizers are causing more harm then they prevent.
Im not a all-natural nut, but i would prefer to use less dangerous meds
ESPEC if i cant keep with a constant dosage

[crystal8080]

Wanting to stop medications is part of the illness.

Call your doctor. Maybe you need different medication.

[James is weird]

Ive tried slowing my meds slowly but ive even sucked at that.
Im trying to take 1 pill every second day, but i kinda failed that. I havent taken the pill for 3 days straight, and i cant take it tonight because of work, or saturday night (tmr night) cause of work either.

But i havent noticed any side effects/withdrawl.
I dont even think ive been very impulsive or manic either

Ive just been a lot more concious of my self

[CheekyMonkey]

Originally Posted by James is weird

Ive tried slowing my meds slowly but ive even sucked at that.
Im trying to take 1 pill every second day, but i kinda failed that. I havent taken the pill for 3 days straight, and i cant take it tonight because of work, or saturday night (tmr night) cause of work either.

But i havent noticed any side effects/withdrawl.
I dont even think ive been very impulsive or manic either

Ive just been a lot more concious of my self

You probably feel awful because you keep going on and off of them.

[James is weird]

I actually feel pretty good atm (although on dexedrine now).
I haven't noticed any low moods or mood swings. There is the 8pm dexedrine crash but its not very significant. it just has me glued to my laptop googling the nearest stimuli lol.

I think the dose i was on was too low to cause withdrawal symptoms (200mg Sodium valporate for 3 weeks on and off)

I should be revising for the lecture i just had (was googling through the entire lecture :S) whooops

[James is weird]

Oh i forgot about this.

Im on a new mood stabilizer now - Lactimal.
Lovely substance!
Im a lot more in control of my emotions and impulse control! - in particular havent wanted to push people out of the way if they were walking slower than me

And ive actually become a safe driver again believe it or not!

Well errr, within a week of quiting Valporates :S
errmmm the inevitable happened....

I had a car accident while wikipedia-ing something about fuel efficency :S
Wasnt a bad smash, just a fender bender.
And i didnt get caught using my phone (THANK THE LORD ALMIGHTY!)

I was in the wrong and now i gotta pay $1200 for my excess to get both our cars repaired..... Errurk


BUT AS I SAID

Im a safer driver now

I dont use my phone or weave through traffic anymore!

[Drewbacca]

I won't touch my phone while driving... sometimes we have to learn the hard way.
Glad to hear it was minor and that you're ok!

I used Lamictal in the past myself. Glad it is helping!

[sarahsweets]

I am of the belief that evetually the mania catches up with you.

[CheekyMonkey]

Originally Posted by sarahsweets

I am of the belief that evetually the mania catches up with you.

That's why when my husband is manic, I'm cringing....what will the price be this time?