Cyclothymic Cysters

trolkin · 10-31-2007, 01:57 PM

Did not see a thread for this one but thought I would start it.

I am Sarah and I am 28 years old. I was diagnosed about 8 months ago now. I was always sad and depressed and no matter what I did I could not shake it. The next thing I knew I would be happy and on top of the world.

My side effect is Shopping. It always would make me feel better so I would do it. I learned through therapy that this is a side effect of Cyclothymic Disorder. Impulse spending. You don't realise that you don't need it because you form an attachment because your brain tells you it will make you feel better. I don't really understand the rational behind that one but came from my therapist.

Anyways, wondering if there is anyone else out there with this.

Post away!

10-31-2007, 03:45 PM

I am going through a phase of rapid cycling at the moment, up and down like a yo yo. It’s not helping that I have gone back on Citalopram which makes the mood swings cycle worse but at the same time keeps the worse of the depression away.

One minute I am full of plans and spending and gambling online, the next I am on the sofa with no energy to do anything. Wide awake at night can’t sleep during the day exhausted!

I have no choice but to self medicate because the NHS just stinks for getting help in this country, I pretty much given up trying now!

trolkin · 10-31-2007, 03:57 PM

I know it stinks when you can't get the help that you need to cope. I lost one of my insurances and now I can not afford to go back to the doctor to get more meds. I will have to give here soon because I am going nuts.

I hate the spending problem. I get out of control. I can not go into a store and not buy anything.

As far as my cycle. I think I am on a bad down swing right now. Have a lot going on in my life which does not help the situation.

I am glad that you posted!

Sarah

trolkin · 11-01-2007, 04:30 PM

Anyone else out there?

CarrieBoo · 12-28-2007, 08:56 AM

I am also a rapid cycler. I am not so much depressed very often (I don't think), but I have TERRIBLE mood swings. I get sooooooooo mad at people for no reason. When I get that way I swear, make threats, want to leave my husband, would like to hit people, etc. Then I'm fine and apologize. I also have episodes where I speed up out of the blue. Racing thoughts, talking fast, feeling euphoric, etc. Then I'll be exhausted and not want to do anything or talk to anyone. I can go through several different mood swings in a single day... I have also had several bouts with OCD - usually freaking out thinking I have some kind of illness and being unable to think about anything else.

When I had my daughter, I did go through terrible post partum depression. I cried my brains out all day and night for weeks. I couldn't eat, sleep, etc. However, I never felt any negative feelings towards my daughter. In fact, I was obsessed with making sure I was taking care of her and ensuring her health and well being.

I am currently taking 100 mg of Lamictal (mood stabilizer) as well as 40 mg of Celexa (anti-depressent/anti-anxiety). I've been on it a couple of months, and so far have felt soooooo much better, especially about not getting extraordinarily mean. I feel like I could use a tad more; am going to ask about it at my next appt. with my shrink.

trolkin · 01-03-2008, 05:28 PM

Carrieboo ~ Thank's for posting. I am on 300mg XR of Wellburtrin a day. I have my ups and downs. mostly downs though. I was seeing a therapist but I lost my job and can not afford to go to see him anymore.

I too get mad for no reason and snap at my husband a lot. He askes me what is wrong and I tell him nothing. Which is true. I don't know what is wrong.

Post as you please. It will be nice to have someone to talk to.

sarah

Sarrah · 01-05-2008, 03:35 AM

Cyclothymic disorder - is this like lower level of bi poloar.
Some of the things people have mentioned in this post like
Spending a lot of "don't really need' items like expensive make up and creams then get them home and dont use them.
Fast talking and racing thoughts...
Very negative, getting mad and having rages at people... then you are a bit normal again and think that was bad...
Feeling down and depressed, no energy... other times thinking all is ok.

isenephthys · 01-10-2008, 08:46 AM

i'm bipolar, type 2, usually in a mixed state. but i definitely have a cyclic component to my symptoms. winter is horrible for the depression.

and i also spend a ton of $ that i don't need to spend when i'm hypomanic; usually on makeup or little "luxury" items. i didn't recognize it as a symptom until i went to the psychiatrist and it hit me. i'm lucky that i don't have some of the other compulsions, i guess.

RoaryKennedy · 01-28-2008, 03:16 PM

Wow, okay, I think I am joining you, cyclothymic cysters! I cannot believe how much I can relate to myself in all of these posts.

I see a psychiatry nurse practitioner in a few weeks because I couldn't shake depression, despite 5 years on Zoloft. The depression kicked into overdrive after I had my dd, one year ago. In the meantime, my PCP switched me to Effexor, and I couldn't believe how good I felt during the switch. Totally productive, totally happy (despite the brain rushes). Now today, BOOM. Depressed, cranky, tearful, snappy, picking fights.

Wow, I cannot believe how you talk about the overspending. That is totally me. And my forte is overspending on luxury items and makeup/skin stuff. Wow.

misslilian · 09-16-2008, 03:18 AM

I am so happy that this thread was created because this is me. I am also considered Cyclothymic. I was never considered bipolar my doctor until I was hospitalized in 2004 for a suicide attempt. There I was diagonsed by 2 other doctors. But I as researched and was given various meds, I found that my systoms were not as severe. Cyclothymic is the closest that has come to describing me. But I do have the same problem with shopping as the other posters on here. I have already filed for bankruptcy once because of the complications from the shopping and from being laid off from my job.
As for the PCOS, I have never had "normal" periods. They would show up when they wanted to. Only when I was on birth control were they normal. I haven't been on birth control since 2005. Started taking the metaformin last year and my periods returned! I want to have a baby. I have lost 38 pounds in the past 15 moths but according to all the medical charts I have to lose another 50 pounds just to be normal!

I am not worthy of this link! I am glad to have found a group of women out there like me.

Daily:
metaformin 1500mg
topamax 600mg
buspar 45 mg
celexa 60 mg
provigial 200mg
ambien 5mg