MS, Depression and Anxiety

[Mari600]

Hello everyone!
I was diagnosed with MS in October 2007 by a brain leision. Previous MRIs were clean, but I had a positive LP that was already suspicious. I'm having some mild physical symptoms now (Slurred speech, double vision, weak legs), but my initial problem was extreme anxiety and insomnia. Before the MS diagnosis, I started seeing a psychopharmacoligist who put me on Zoloft. It was a rough ride going up in dose, and I only got up to ~125mg/day; it caused too much anxiety. He added BuSpar to the mix in August, and thigs got better. In December I decided to ramp down the Zoloft and try Wellbutrin. It all seemed to work for a while, but the basic problem is that my moods go up and down. A friend with MS suggested that MS and Bipolar are common co-occurences. Has anyone experience this kind of mood cycling? My mood can cycle daily.. even hourly. What meds are people on for this kind of problem? Many thanks! --Mari

[Quixotic1]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.  Both of what was said above is what I understand.  MS can cause what appears to be a rapid cycling of emotions, but it is more an emotional lability or instability.  I have never read that Bipolar is particularly common in MS.  However, Depression is very common.

What may have happened is that you were already bipolar,, but mostly depressed, and the treament for the depression "unmasked" the manic or "up" phase.  This is often seen in treatment of depression in children and teens and, I would presume, in adults.  I am definitely not an expeert in this field, but I have read of this happening a lot.

I hope you stay around.  We are a very active and rich group and we really welcome all comers.  We have a lot of fun and share a huge amount of info.  I was a pediatrician in my former life and try to answer what I can.  I'll noodle around and see if I can give you a clearer answer.

Quix, MD

[essdipity]

To add to Heather's comments, I'd like to say that depression can be a primary feature of MS, caused by the disease itself, and it can be secondary, caused by the real circumstances of dealing with a serious disease. Anxiety and bipolar can occur along with MS, since we can have more than one illness going on, but these are not related to the MS process.

I hope you stay here and participate with us, as you get to the bottom of other things going on with you. Best wishes.

ess

[Heather3418]

Welcome to the MS Forum.  I am sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with MS.

MS and Biopolar disorder are NOT related.  They are separate disorders.  Now, can MS in itself lead to depression?  You bet!  Having an chronic disease, can have depression associated with it.  Depression in people with MS, is more common than many people realize.

Here on the MS Forum, we will do everything we can to help you through the stages of this disease and any questions you may have.  I DO know that MedHelp has a absolutely wonderful forum for people that suffer from depression, anxiety and panic.  It's called the "Anxiety Forum."  You can find it by going to the top of this page and clicking, "Forums."  They really do some great stuff over on that forum and have helped people tremendously.  Meanwhile, I hope that you will continue to post with us also.

I suffered from anxiety for almost 20 years, so I am NOT putting you down in ANY WAY.  It is a REAL problem.  Give the folks on the other forum, a chance to be of help to you.  I have read over their forum many times and found so much helpful information.

Thanks for joining us here.  We are so glad that you found us and decided to post.  WELCOME!

Heather