Monday, February 22, 2010 kiwiE-J asks

Q: extreme ups and downs

Hey there,

I've had depression for quite some time now and it was first thought that it was associated with the chronic debilitating migraine disorder that I also suffer from... however with a trial on a new anti convulsant my migraine problem has lessened, but the mood problem still exists, and now I'm experiencing extreme shifts on mood... I am now having good days (which is a good thing) but it's so good that I am almost euphoric and then the next day I am almost garanteed to have a bad day where I am so tired, lethargic and sometimes it can get to the to the point of feeling suicidal.

What are some things that I can do to ensure that I am safe, and also what are some things that I can do for myself to stabilse my mood in a way that doesn't require more medication?

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Answers (3)

John Folk-Williams, Health Guide

2/23/10 1:54am

Hi -

If rapid cycling of moods is new in your experience with depression, I would definitely consult a psychiatrist about the side effects of this new drug you're taking. Anti-convulsants seem to have a lot of effects that aren't so well understood - so a lot of off label uses have developed. They're often prescribed for depression in combination with antidepressants - and seem to affect the course of mood disorders. One that works for migraines may not be helpful for depression.

I would check this out with a specialist as opposed to a primary care MD as soon as possible.

John

Judy

2/22/10 11:44pm

Hi, there. I would suggest that you talk to a psychologist about this to see if you are depressed, bipolar or whatever. Sometimes these things need medication to be adequately managed and/or you might be able to benefit from therapy. I'm glad your migraines have decreased, I'm sure they weren't helping any. Do you know if the medication you're taking has mood alteration as a possible side effect? You could talk to your prescribing doctor, too, to try to figure out what's going on.

I wish you all the best and hope you'll let us know how you're doing.

jlynnlee

3/19/10 7:36am

I'm not trying to be nosy at all but I have a chronic migraine disorder and I was put on Topamax which is an anti-convulsant.

Not sure if that's the one you were put on but I had tons of very bad side effects form Topamax. My migraines were 100% better but I started experiencing extreme mood issues and brain fog to a point where I had to stop taking it. One minute I was manically happy, the next crying, then screaming in fits of rage - sometimes more than one at a time..I honestly was afraid of myself. Again i'm not sure if that's the medication they have you on but I just wanted to say if it is you're not alone. My neurologist says that's rare b/c Topamax can also treat Bipolar Disorder and shouldn't cause bipolar-like symptoms. However, when I stopped Topamax my symptoms slowly went away (needless to say my migraines came running back!)

Q: extreme ups and downs

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