hormonal imbalance causing bipolar cycling?
My rapid cycling bipolar II started at puberty 40 yrs ago. I would have a month of higher energy of agitation, irritability for approximately 25 days then have 5 days of transition which was like intense pms symptoms then flip down for 25 days with deep depression. Just like clockwork. I started in therapy and on medication when I was 28. Nothing changed the intensity or the underlying anger and depression. I was diagnosed as borderline with atypical bipolar II. When I was 32 I had a complete hysterectomy due to endometriosis. The sudden estrogen drop sent me down the bottomless pit of depression. I was started on a daily dose of estrogen which helped the underlying depression but not the cycling or the refractory depression. The cycling remained constistant and regular. Up a month and down a month.
I have been through many hospitalizations like a revolving door trying every antidepressant and mood stabilizer on the market. In 2000 Lamictal hit the market and worked for me. It cleared up the underlying anger and chronic depression. Then I was able to put the behavior mods in effect. But the bipolar continued and I was still on premarin. The depression got worse and I was switched to Estrace which cleared that up but the cycling unaffected.
Now I'm in menopause the cycling which had been predictable is erractic and intense. I realize that the body will continue to make estrogen without ovaries or uterus. I did have estrogen and progesterone levels taken during my three cycle changing. They were basically the same. I was put on progesterone which landed me in the hospital for psychotic depression. Testosterone did the same thing.
I've done research on the net and found another person who cycles like me. We are about the same age. She had extensive hormonal testing that revealed nothing. I am missing some piece of info that would explain the cycling. Some malfunctioning hormone or gland has to be there. My adreneal glands have checked out.
I have been suicidal since I was 14 and I'm really, really tired. I was hoping that eventually my body would hit menopause and things would clear up. It is super intense and even when I'm feeling good I'm thinking about death. I have weekly contact with my therapist and monthly contact with my pdoc. I've asked for ect for years and years but wasn't considered a candidate because I never felt good. Now my pdoc is seriously considering ect.
I've hit my wall. I don't think that any amount of zapping is going to clear up a hormonal imbalance. Two weeks ago I started putting my affairs in order. I'm feeling pretty good now yet am clearing up loose ends. He said that we would discuss the ect next time I go down which will probably be in a couple weeks. I seriously doubt the effectiveness of anything against the depression. When I'm done cycling I'll probably be in the depression which will go on forever. I've stayed alive for my family, i have no dependents or kids and now just want peace. My med combo is working. I can feel the balance. I'm off sugar and sugar free foods as they make me goofy. I'm going to try accupuncture again just in case it will work this time.
I saw my pdoc yesterday and he knows all of these thoughts. I just want to make sure I've tried everything before throwing in the towel. So I'm searching again to find if anyone is doing or has done research on some obscure hormone that causes cyclical depression.
Hi, Jetwriter. More women than men experience rapid cycling, so it stands to reason that something hormonal is probably going on. The catch is, due to lack of research, we are fairly clueless. It is adviseable to consult with a specialist doctor. He/she may have some insights that your psychiatrist may be lacking.
Also, consider other factors. Antidepressants and stimulants may speed up cycling. As well as being highly sensitive to hormonal flows, you may be highly sensitive to other things, such as caffeine, disruptions to sleep schedules and other routines, junk food, etc.
By all means, keep investigating the hormone connection, but also make sure your life around you isn't cycling, either. I'm sure you're already doing this, as you appear to be the kind of person to leave no stone unturned.
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Jetwriter:
Like you, I strongly suspect something hormonal is going on with bipolar. I didn't see the connection until I became menopausal ... when my menopausal menstrual cycles matched the 3x/yr cycles my BP had for my entire life.
My P-Doc has recently quit a clinical research career because of the way the pharma companies were abusing the results ... I'm going to propose that we dig for some women's health money to fund a study in this area, with no pharma involvement.
Sweet woman, I don't begin to know how to encourage someone who has lived with the level of on-going despair you have for so many years. I do know that God loves you and that your life matters to God. I know that God is not the cause of this suffering. And I can also tell that you have done your absolute best during all the years of your life thus far.
I am praying for you right now, that you will find strength, relief, and comfort. All blessings to you as you walk with God through the valley of the shadow of death.
The Lady Behind the Mask
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Thank you both for the feedback. No wonder I couildn't find research on this subject. It doesn't exist. I've done some more thinking in lines of ECT. Lots of good results with lots of problems too. I have an accupuncturist, doctor, who is at my chiropractor's office just up the street. There were so many road blocks to me receiving ECT that I figured it was a God thing that I go for the obvious rather than beating my head on a wall only to find out that object wasn't good for me. I've had accupuncture that did relieve the depression. Just like ect it needs updating on a regular basis.
Thanks so much for listening to me. It helped me slow down before flipping out. I couldn't kill myself just in case someone knew something that I didn't. Just never know. It is so nice to hear from people who offer concrete info. I'm off the edge and back to sanity. I'll call the doctor tomorrow to set up an appt. Hope that I'll be able to find the money. I'm sure it will be there too. Just have to trust. Generally a God thing takes care of itself.
Love and my deepest thanks,
Judy
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Are You taking your medicine like your suppose to? also, don't give up there is research going on for people with Bipolar disorder. But better than that God is real and you can always pray. Hope you fell bettre soon
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Thank you for responding. Yes, definitly I'm taking my meds. I'd be a real mess without them. I did check into ECT and decided that I'd try accupuncture first. My first treatment released a massive amount of stored energy and resistance inside. I cried for the better part of an hour straight. Then I wrote 18 pgs of thoughts and feelings and shared them with my therapist. I became exhausted. A couple days later the death thoughts, wishes and ideas were gone. After the second treatment I emoted the rest of my deep dark secrets which were shared with my therapist. I'm just so very tired. Since forever I've been trying to act as if I didn't have bipolar and mental illness. Now I don't have that blockage and my body is crashing. I'm up for 2 hrs and need to go to bed for an hour.
I have an, well not sure what to call it. I'm too tired to be calm but whatever the death wishes and sucidial thoughts are totally gone. I've been told it's going to take quite some time before my energy comes back. I tried the SAD light but it only made me agitated. So I'm sleeping lots. good thing that i'm able to rest when i want. Disability is a good thing sometimes.
Wishing you the best too.
Judy
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The adrenal gland creates many hormones. I think you're suffering from a metabolic disorder which is causing hypoadrenia. That would explain the extreme fatigue and hormonal imbalance. Try taking high-dose pantothenic-acid b5 and a b50 complex. Also a high-dose vitamin-c pill will help. Check if your 2nd toe is longer than big toe. This is called Morton's Toe. It's indicated with a deficiency in an enzyme necessary to convert b6 to it's active form. If you got this, you'll need to take p5p as well.
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Jetwriter
Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 08:31 AM
Thanks so much for the answer. my 2nd toe is longer than the big toe. i will get the supplements as you recommend. thanks again. it is so nice to have a name after all of this time. at least a place to start. (disclaimer noted)
unityemissions
Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 02:22 PM
You're very welcome. You might want to check out pyroluria to see if you match the symptoms. Pyroluria and hypoadrenia are commonly found together. The test is a simple urine sample which you send into a lab. Something like $60, no doctor required! Check out www.pyroluriatesting.com and do a google search to check for symptoms.
Best of luck,
Brandon
Brandy
Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 11:29 PM
I'm a 32 year old female with a severe case of bipolar disorder and I believe with all my heart that bipolar disorder is a mixture of neurotransmitter problems, sex hormones and the adrenal glands. My daughter was 3 months old when I went into a full blown manic episode. That was in 1998 and the beginning of a very, very hard journey. The dangerous thing about this disease is that we look healthy. I have had many hormone test and they only show that I have polycystic ovarian disease. If more researchers would take interest in this disease they would see that it is not "all in our heads"! There is absolutely no telling how many people have died from this disease. I just had to be put on medicine for high blood pressure to calm down my anxiety, I also have trouble with my digestion and I know many people who have had heart attacks from stress. I'm sure that this disease is also affecting our immune systems. Doctors and researchers really, really need to find the cause of this disorder. I think that they are making it harder than it really is! The doctors already know that we can be hypersexual and have extreme irritibility. Can someone say HORMONES! Plus we stress out and my eyes dilate (adrenaline) when I'm manic and I've read that people's eyes dilate when they go into rages (adrenaline). I pray for everyone who has this disease and I pray they will find new information very soon to help treat us. Thanks for the info. I'm about to research everything right now!
unityemissions
Monday, June 29, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Hi Brandy,
Hormonal imbalance is also related to the copper/zinc ratio. Women store a lot of copper during pregnancy. They often have copper toxicity combined with low zinc status. The psychosis that some women get after pregnancy is related to copper toxicity. I'd suggest looking into this as well.
[link]http://www.drlwilson.com/articles/copper_toxicity_syndrome.htm[/link]
Toxins are simply overwhelming most peoples ability to detox. It's a mixture of bad environmental toxins in the air, water & food. Schizophrenia rates have increased ~20 fold since the industrial revolution! Schizophrenia is extreme oxidative stress brought on by a mixture of genetic propensities and environmental toxins.
Most people are unwell these days. We all need to find ways to help our selves through first, knowledge and second, application. Hope this turns you in the right direction.
Take care.
Jetwriter
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Brandy, i've done further research and found
http://www.natural-cure-remedy.com/adrenal-fatigue.html
site. it is full of information. I did find the testing site too. As I react with migraines to nearly everything i started with the B6 of 100mg. It was just 2 hrs ago and i don't have a headache. i do have clarity, focus and energy to get out of bed and it's only 9:22 am!! I might have flipped cycles up and this is normal for my higher energy, or the b6 is simply working or it is flipping me to a manic/higher energy. i have the other supplements but am going to see how the b6 plays out before adding anything to the mix. i'm on risperdal, effexor, lamictal, cymbalta, ritalin. i was on abilify for a month which was wonderful. i didn't get manic but actually liked myself and didn't think of death for days at a time. however i had trouble breathing, hypertensive crisis, leg twitching, confusion, blurred vision still it was worth it. the problems except the blurred vision has cleared since stopping it 2 wks ago. i won't be using the ritalin as long as i already have energy to stay functional. i sure do appreciate everything that is being written on this question. the information on the next two posts is great. so glad to have direction. i did run the supplements past my pdoc who is willing to see what happens as long as i don't change the prescriptions.
Have you tried Bio-feedback. You can balance out cortisol , melatonin and seratonin levels. YOu can also work directly on balancing Bio-polar on Biofedback screen.
You can check your amino acids levels ( tyrosine helps depression) and amino acids are building blocks for the body.
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If you think it might be hormonal have you been to see an endocrinologist to have your pituitary gland and thyroid function tested (these are separate to your adrenal glands which are governed by the hypothalamus located just above the pituitary above the brain stem)? These glands can cause great disturbance in mood if they are not working properly.
I have had symptoms of bipolar on and off for 38 years now. I find that taking mood stabilisers (lithium/valproate) and an antidepressant (escitalopram) plus an antipsychotic (seroquel) at night time to help me sleep works best for me. Apparently people respond differently to al these things, so what works for one person might not work for another. I have to make sure I don't get too sleep deprived either (no more than one night of less than 8 hours sleep) as that makes me speed up and my thoughts start to get disordered.
I really hope you can find something to suit you...
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Jetwriter
Friday, September 04, 2009 at 05:50 AM
I do have hypothyroidism which is being controlled with levothyroxine. levels are now normal. Just found out I have a major vit D deficiency which is being corrected with 50,000U 1x/week and then will be followed up with 2000U/day. my zinc levels were normal. I have found that B6 100mg 3x/day has relieved most of my depressive symptoms. I am still on lamictal, cymbalta, effexor, risperdal and ritalin. I'm still cycling but it isn't anything like before. i don't have the energy extremes; cycle flipping symptoms are more managable. Now the sugars in fruits, sugar, sugar-free candy make me very depressed and lethargic the next day for 24hrs. I am on low cholesterol diet and no meds. I'm being forced to stop eating compulsively. That was something I could't do on my own.
My dog is healthy and we probably walk, saunter, a mile a day. I've stopped rescuing others without getting angry they asked in the first place. That is a huge change. I like being around me more. It is nice to be at peace. All the therapy over the years has given me tools to maintain emotional balance. You are right about biofeed back. I lost sight of that and now have it incorporated in my routine. Thanks for the reminder. Even though it is only Sept I'm feeling like SAD is kicking in. I'm going to increase the B6 to 4x/day. Just seem to need a little more zip. I'm really grateful for the suggestions you all have been giving me. My life is lots better. My family is grateful too. Thanks.
ohfaithful
Monday, September 07, 2009 at 04:38 AM
I'm wondering how you are doing? I, too, am stumped with my Bipolar diagnosis 10 years ago at the height of hormonal hell! Since that time I have struggled and believed that it was in fact hormonal since I have struggled with depression since age 12 and onset of menses.
Recently, I found a doctor to sign off on hormone therapy after 5 years of trying! The BHRT eliminated my psychosis, gave me some energy back, diminished my social phobia and others... and a lot of the problems that I was having. However, after only two months, because I don't have a hormone specialist I was having problems regulating them and started having blood pressure and other problems....it was the best 2 months in 10 years! I've weaned myself off except for a small amount to keep the psychosis at bay. I'm currently looking for a hormone specialist to help me with things who will also take my insurance!
I hope you're okay...I'm quickly sliding back into hell and praying for help!
Jetwriter
Monday, September 07, 2009 at 09:28 AM
I'm doing well. The seasonal affect disorder is kicking in up here, southeastern Wisconsin. So the increase of B6 is helping. I still am flipping cycles but those energy level changes have moderated. The time between the cycling, what I call transition, is managable since the B6. I know it is there but I don't want to kill everyone. I am on a steady dose of Estrace, a non-synthetic hormone replacement, that did wonders for my underlying depression.
It is really terrible to find something that works only to have it pulled out from under you again. You get to know the good life only as a taste. In a way it is depressing because the good feeling was there, was great and is gone. On the other hand, you are not totally defective and meant for a lifetime in hell. You can function optimally with the right set of circumstances. You just have to find the right combination to get the good stuff back.
Are you suicidal? Are there other sites or someplace doing research on the BHRT? I'm sorry and should have asked, "what is bhrt?" Hormone replacement therapy? What's the "b"? It is so hard to find the right resources. I've been trial and erroring for years. Thankfully the internet is available as a massive database for other trial and erroring.
keep me posted. Judy
as someone from another country can I ask exactly what a "P-Doc" is?
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ohfaithful
Monday, September 07, 2009 at 04:30 AM
P doc is psychiastrist...
I've heard great reports from a Dr. Graeme Williams who has had great results with mood disorders using hormone therapy. check him out at www.drgraemewilliam.com
well worth the $250.00 A friend of mine had amazing results and I am now giving it a go!