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Well ended up seeing my psychiatrist today

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Bipolar Disorder
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Posted 1/15/2014 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
I had to see my Family doctor for a call back about an MRI I had done on my T-spine and L-Spine.

Almost right away he noticed that something was wrong. So I had to fill him in on the mania from December and my med changes. We talked at length about what happened, and with what is going on now, this was the first time he has seen me in any sort of mania or hypomania as he has only been our doctor for a year and I never go to him for this sort of stuff just my psychiatrist, so he noticed the difference in me right away and in his opinion I needed to see my psychiatrist today, He made the call directly to my psychiatrist and within the hour I was in his office.

I am still hypomanic, which is really no surprise because I knew I have not been balanced, its not as bad as December, but still not controlled, so he doubled the Med I was given in December to 50 mgs at bedtime, hopefully that will be enough to help me sleep and help with the mania since it is for mania.

And just to add to anything going on inside me right now I found out I have two syringomyelia areas in my spinal cord at T3-T5 and T7-T8. This could require me to have to see a neurologist as well as possible surgery. A repeat mri in 6 months to access the progression. The results were also forwarded to the surgeon I have seen for his assessment.

For now my doctor wants me to wait because he does not think I am able to handle much more because there is so much going on for me right now.

He wanted to take me off work for the mental health issues that I am having right now and I refused.

Anyway, thats a little update on me
Posted 1/15/2014 11:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Xaleah,

Thanks for updating us. It's good to hear that you were able to see both your doc and psychiatrist. Your doctor sounds like he's very concern. I'm glad you have a good family doctor.

Sorry to hear about the Syringomyelia. I hope it isn't causing you any pain. Please be careful and take it easy.

Did your doc tell you the specifics on why he wanted you to take time-off work? Is work stressful at times? I'm thinking maybe he thinks it's contributing to your mania and a little break might help you out. Sometimes we need a break for work.

I hope the increase dosage in meds will help you and you will be able to get some rest. Remember that it may take sometime to work. Let us know how it goes.

UA
Posted 1/15/2014 12:34 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, what a great family doctor. It's so good to hear about doctors being so proactive, thorough and caring... and it's lovely that your pdoc was so accommodating - and had the capacity to fit you in on an emergency basis. I agree with your family doctor in that the spinal stuff can be put on the back burner for now. You have enough on your plate and you need to be coming from a stabilised place first to properly address your medical conditions and your work. You didn't say why you refused to take time off work but I accept you may have valid reasons for refusing. Still, try not to discount your mental health as something less important that "physical" health. Our brain is the computer for our physical health and our lifestyle. It's proper functioning is extraordinarily important on every area of your life. I hope the increase in meds will have you find yourself in a better way soon. When do you go back to see your pdoc? Thinking of you... Jade xo
Posted 1/15/2014 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both for the replies.

My family doctor is wonderful, very thorough and thoughtful. I did not expect him to notice what was going on and when he did I was 100% honest with him.

The Syringomyelia is causing pain, worst at times then others and it is causing a lot of electric feeling in my back, numbness and tingling. I have come to find out it is pretty rare 8.4 people out of every 100 000 get it. It can sometimes progress faster then others. Back in July when I initially started having problems with my T-spine I found out I had a slue of issues wrong with my back. Some of which I was aware of before because I have had lower back pain most of my life, but the T-spine pain was new. The numbness was new and got worst with the type of work that I do. When the pain was so bad that walking was a chore my doctor wanted an MRI done, the hospital refused it because my x-rays showed stuff we already knew. The x-rays showed some DDD, arthritic changes, mild scoliosis, a spina bifida that we did not know about (oculta), My L5 is fused to my Sacruum and I had a disk that was slipping. I was able to deal with all these things and in fact some of them did not even bother me but they did not explain the pain and numbness in the areas that it was occurring.

The hospital refused the MRI and instead we ended up with a CT scan, which confirmed the Disk changes, my doctor was still sure there was something wrong so he wrote the hospital in hopes of them going ahead with the MRI, he suspected Syringomyelia and told them that so they fit me in almost right away, test results came back and my doctor was right and the diagnosis made sense. Finally I had answers.

I work in a fish processing plant, so the types of work is hard on me depending on what I am doing at any given time. I am fortunate that they know about my back issues and are accommodating when it gets bad, though it takes a lot for me to give in and let anyone know how bad it is, I try to hide it as much as I can.

My doctor wanted to take me off work because of the off balance in my Bipolar disorder, but I refused because financially I am unable to take time off work right now. If it gets too bad I will have no choice so now that I am not too bad I have to work. Right now I only work 12 hours a week, usually 2 short shifts, I told my doctor this but he still thought it was too much for me right now. He suggested that I take a vacation but that is not an option for us right now.

I see my psychiatrist again in February.
Posted 1/16/2014 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Xaleah,

I'm sorry the Syringomyelia causes you so much pain. I'm glad they are aware of it at work and they try to assist you. You said that you experience numbness and tingling... I think you should get an app to see a neurologist for them to check on it.

Any difference with the increase in meds yet?

Since you really can't go on a vacation, maybe you can just try going out to places you might enjoy during your spare time when you're not working. Try doing things to help you relax even if it's just going to the movies, the beach, visiting a friend, etc. You can also try relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation and even yoga if you like. These things will help you relax.

I hope you will get pain relief and feel better.

UA
Posted 1/16/2014 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi UA,

Thanks for the reply.

I will most likely be seeing a neurologist once the BP gets settled down especially if it starts to act up bad again, its not quite as bad right now because I am working less.

The biggest increase in the meds is how much I have slept since he increased them, On Tuesday night I took the doubled dosage and slept from 12-12:30 ish until 2:15 the next afternoon then from 4-9:45, then I was in bed again 12:45ish last night and just got up at 11:00. I feel like a sloth, like I am moving so slow and I feel really really sluggish.

I do not like feeling like I am now, I have been out of bed just long enough to take a bath and I am ready to go back to sleep already. I have to try to stay awake if I can.
Posted 1/16/2014 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Drowsiness is usually a common side effect of most meds. I think the adjustment is the dosage may be causing you to feel this way. Drowsiness can usually appear early in treatment but will gradually disappear during the first weeks or with an adjustment in the dosage. It may take some time for you to get use to it, but once your body gets use to it, this feeling should disappear.

UA
Posted 1/16/2014 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah I know, I just hope it corrects itself quickly. I have to work tomorrow morning and I hope I do not feel as badly as I have the past two days when it comes to feeling sluggish.
Posted 1/16/2014 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Looks like the dose is now too high. Your pdoc needs to know this. Ring the the pdoc to get advice as to what to do with your dose to avoid mania without causing fatigue and hypersomnia. Your pdoc would rather get the dose right now than see a zombie in a month who hasn't been able to care for herself and her three children. Hypersomnia can't go on for another month when you are a mum of three kids.
Posted 1/17/2014 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
Will see what tonight brings I was able to stay awake a bit more today then yesterday and I have to get up at 6:30 am to get ready for work so will see how tomorrow is.
Posted 1/17/2014 6:12 AM (GMT 0)
You are going really well XX. I salute you! :)
Posted 1/18/2014 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks LW
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