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Posted 12/16/2006 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
I went to a pdr for the first time , yesteday. I don't know what I said to make him think that I have some sort of bi-polar disease. I really don't think I do. I have never had a suicidal thought in my life.  I don't have clinical depression I have never had a dark period or feelings of loom and gloom like I hear people describing. Can I really have bipolar without all of that going on? I have been having alot of A/P . I have been through alot in the last year and a half. I am getting a divorce after 32 yrs of marriage, and having to start my life over. I have 2 kids who have drug problems, one is in recovery...and I am very proud of her. My son is still using meth.and taking downers to come down, so that really scares me. I have never had a drug problem, but I am a worrier. I think my anxiety is just a physical effect of all the crap I have been through, the dr. never even got into asking me anything about all the stress in my life. Maybe I need someone to talk to about that. I have alot of good friends that I talk to, but I know that A/P is hard for them to understand without having it themselves. The dr. gave me Seroquel, I started last night taking 50mg. and am working up to 3oomg. I have to go back next week. I am really afraid of what this drug might do to me. I am afraid to take it. I don't know what to do. please help me.
Posted 12/16/2006 5:53 AM (GMT 0)
I was on Seroquel for a few months. It didn't do anything bad to me and helped me get stabilized. The side effects I had from it (mostly 'dulled' thinking) went away very quickly after I stopped taking it.


Are you experiencing (or have you had) a manic episode? That's usually a requirement for the diagnosis. I was showing bipolar symptoms for more than 20 years but I didn't get the Dx until I had a full blown psychotic episode.
Posted 12/16/2006 11:46 AM (GMT 0)

A lot of ppl describe the drug as making them sleepy/sleeping longer , but that useually happens only while you are getting used to the drug , after that you stabalise.

Here's a link about bipolar and it's symptoms which you might find helpful http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm#intro

Have you had a look at the Anxiety/Panic board as they have some great ppl on there that can help you in dealing with your A/P.

Oh , and when you go back to doc ask them what made them decide you were BP.

Take care ,

Smiler tongue

Posted 12/17/2006 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
rdm,

i hate to say this, but from what i've been reading, bp seems to be the psychiatric dx du jour as depression was during the 60s and 70s.  many pdocs (not necessarily yours) cop out be finding a convenient label (bp) and sticking it on a majority of their patients.  for an accurate diagnosis, the pdoc should (must) see you in a manic state as well as in a depressive state.  most of us are usually depressive.  i am manic infrequently (thank all the gods above and below!).

if you feel as though have been misdiagnosed, ask your pdoc the basis for your dx, as smiley says.  in addition, i might go to another pdoc for a second opinion.

insurance companies, medicare, and medicaid have cut payments to drs, especially pdocs and family drs, by about 20% over the last 5 yrs.  and they have increased the load of paperwork required to get paid.  why doesn't congress cut their pay by 20% and increase their overheads?  at any rate, you can't reaaly blame a pdoc for trying to cut corners by just slapping on a diagnosis.

end of rant.

warren

Posted 12/17/2006 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
i have a question: what is a manic state. What do you do or how do you act? i hate my therapist .......he doesn't listen he only talks and it is just stressful. Like right now......i have been up since 5:30 am and have shopped all day. i came home.......left to go get pizza...........talked my hubbby's ears off. filled out christmas cards for church tomorrow to send with my mom because i hate leaving the house to be around people i know. would rather be around strangers. anyway i have taken my seroquel about an hour ago and i still am not winding down. i am about to go fold 2 or 3 loads of clothes...whatever is there and then i might think about going to bed ........ and week ago i was up for almost 24 hours i just couldn't slow down at all and my therapist ask : well why did you do that , he just don't get it.....i can't control it........then i crash and just lay around for a few days and i'll be down and out or start having major panic attacks even though i can still get out. it is terrible. any info will be great


God bless you all
Posted 12/17/2006 4:09 PM (GMT 0)

Hi athmlldy411 ,

If you go to the link I posted further up this thread you will find there is a bit telling you about the signs and symptoms of mania.

Smiler tongue

Posted 12/17/2006 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
ath,

mania can take many forms.  some people spend a lot of money (that they might or might not have).  once i went crazy, partied 24/7 and put myself into debt over $5,000 (this was in the 70s).  when i was working, i would often work 48 to 72 hours straight and then crash for 24 hrs.  there are some good articles on the net that i have read, but can't remember the titles of any of them.  sad    do a search on bp or mania.  what you find might well help.

from what you described as your behavior, it looks like mania to me.  but i'm not a pdoc.

if you don't like your pdoc, get a new one. as i've said before, this fool works for you, you don't work for him/her.  you oay his salary, or if your lucky your insurance does.  talk therapy, which is supposed to be what you're supposed to be having, means that YOU talk, not the therapist.  the therapist is supposed to draw you out or provide insights and encouragement.  i've been doing this since the 1960s, so i have some experience.  :-)

i hope that this helps, 

warren

Posted 12/18/2006 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you guys for all of your input ......i will check out the sight you posted and see what i can find out . i am on my way to bed right now though. kind of am in a crash mode. so i will talk to you all later.


God bless you all
Posted 12/18/2006 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
I think my Seroquel helps me a lot, I just haven't gotten regulated on my higher dosage yet. I take 250 mg at night now to help me sleep and I take it during the day when I'm hypomanic.

God bless you for not being suicidal.

I'm so sorry about your son and the meth. I have a coworker who's daughter has been addicted for years (hugs)
Posted 12/18/2006 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
I was also going to add, its one of the drugs i have the least fear of taking. For me, Lithium is the one I'm the most afraid of
Posted 12/19/2006 6:35 AM (GMT 0)
This might be a little off course, or alot.  I don't know.  I thought I was the only one anxious or scared of meds.  It seems just by reading posts, that I am not alone in my struggles with medication.  It is an issure me and my shrink and pdoc are all dealing with. Mostly with me and the distrust, worrie and fear I have of meds.  I can't be a zombie, more so than I am anyway.  Good night from Hawaii.
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