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depression or bipolar?

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Posted 5/14/2009 7:51 AM (GMT 0)
i was diagnosed with depression about 4 years ago then diagnosed bipolar type 2 about 9 months ago. i experience depression much more often than mania which i understand is usual for bipolar but looking back it seems like my manic symptoms were very mild until i started taking anti depressants then i'd get racing thoughts and irritability. the more mood stabilizers i tried the worse my mood swings seemed to get. 2 weeks ago i decided that none of the meds i was on were helping and that they were probably making me worse so i decided to stop taking them. i might have considered switching meds instead of stopping but my psychiatrist's office shut down without any notice and i couldn't wait 6 weeks to start with another one while on those meds. withdrawal has been horrible but i'm afraid to go to a hospital because they might force me to go back on one of the ones i've already tried and i'm even afraid to try new ones because i really feel like they make me worse and i just can't risk that.
Posted 5/14/2009 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
hi tesslynn84.

it seems that u are in a situation known as bedrock. it is difficult when u have cross-over symptoms or a dual diagnosis. with bp2 the manic symptomology is milder, albeit the depression is more higher. i would strongly suggest to re-start your meds u have gone off, also i would strongly suggest that you also see a doctor, even if not your own. also i would advise that you jot down what is happeing, and moreover what has been happening. depression, bp2  and all mental illnessess are medical conditions, seek help, i am worried that you may become very unwell soon, hence i would talk with your hospitals psych triage dept asap. keep posting, we (i) care. jamie, male, 37

mdd, iddm, severe borderline personality disorder, hormone deficency, diabetic nuropathy, lombroscal spine, water issues, etc.

Posted 5/14/2009 1:42 PM (GMT 0)

hi tesslynn84.

I am so sorry that your physician's office shut down so abruptly.  Six weeks is a  long time to wait for an appointment.  May I suggest that you see a Internal Medicine physician or even your PCP to discuss starting up your meds again. 

Remember no one can force you to take anything but I would hate to see you crash and burn when there are medications to help you. 

When working with my psychiatrist I have balked more then once re my meds and not feeling they are working.  She has tried to explain to me that the meds are like pain meds.............they will reduce the pain but not take it away completely.  Same with the Antidepressants, they will help you to feel better and to cope in the real world but they will not make the depressions go away 100%.

We also have a Bipolar forum on HW that you may find helpful.

According to the definition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), bipolar II disorder ) is "characterized by one or more Major Depressive Episodes accompanied by at least one Hypomanic Episode." The key difference between bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 is that bipolar 2 has hypomanic but not manic episodes.  The symptoms of hypomania are the same as for mania, but they are less severe. Therefore, the official diagnostic criteria separating a diagnosis of bipolar II from that of bipolar I disorder is that hypomania does not cause marked impairment of functioning or require hospitalization.

I join Jamie in saying  I am worried about you so please do keep talking to us and know we are here to support you.

I wish you peace,

Kitt

Posted 5/17/2009 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
i was on the same 3 meds for 3 months and i got worse and worse why the #$%@ are you people telling me to go back on them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 5/17/2009 10:04 PM (GMT 0)

Tess,

No one is telling you to do anything, only sharing our feelings.  None of us are professionals and in the end run members have to make up their own minds on what kind of treatment they choose or if they choose any at all.

I am sorry if what you read has upset you. 

Also it is not fair to &%$*# at people who mean well.  shocked Take care of you.

Kitt

Posted 5/18/2009 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
i have to wait until tomorrow to try to make an appointment but so far my experience with psychiatrists is that it takes atleast a month to get an appointment
Posted 5/18/2009 12:14 PM (GMT 0)

Tess,

I am glad you are going to make an appointment and I believe you are doing the right thing.  I agree that getting an appointment with a Pdoc takes time and in our state the wait can be as long as 2-3 months as many of the Pdocs are not taking new patients and the ones that are seem to be booked out so far ahead.

You sound better in your latest post and please know we are here to support you and we care for you.  You are going through a rough time so do let us help you through and keep believing that there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel.

I wish you peace,

Kitt

Posted 5/18/2009 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tess,

I can only imagine how you feel.  When I went off meds abruptly before I felt really physically bad for several days.  I was misdisgnosed as having BP2 and treated with drugs that only made me worse.  Then on top of that, I had a severe and rare allergic reaction to risperdal that was nothing short of a nightmare.  This all happened about the time my PDoc retired!  Which I now see as a blessing because instead of waiting to see another PDoc I found a wonderful family practice and a woman Dr. that took alot of time with me, asked alot of questions , actually listened and figured out I was suffering from maor depression and high anxiety.  So the antidepressant that my PDoc would not prescribed was exactly what I needed.  I have had few side effects and am feeling better everyday, not quite there yet but better. turn Point being if you start feeling really bad and can not wait, go to a regular MD in the meantime.  It can not hurt, especially if you are having bad body aches as I was.

Good luck to you, I have been in your shoes and it is no fun.  Don't give up, you deserve to feel better.

Gem

 

Posted 6/10/2009 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
i was off all meds for a full month and was actually feeling better, than about a week ago my new psych put me on lithium and i'm getting more depressed every day
Posted 6/10/2009 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
hi tess, tough i know when u are on the path of finding the right treatments, we have all been there. i really do hope that your situation improves soon. take care of you, okay. with kindness, jamie
Posted 6/10/2009 12:24 PM (GMT 0)

Lithium made me a zombie.  I started shaking and falling down and my hands trembled something awful (could not even control a mouse when on the computer).  It did make me feel depressed, I had to stop taking it.  It took a long time to get my meds right and when I was off of them for a while, I would feel good and then the bottom feel out and I was worse than ever.  Point being, do not give up, keep trying different courses of treatment until you find one that suits you.  I hope you feel better today!

Gem

Posted 6/10/2009 1:05 PM (GMT 0)

Tess,

I am sorry the Lithium is making you feel nasty.  I hope that the side effects go away quickly and that soon you will be feeling better again.  Hang in there and know we are here.

Meds are tough to regulate which seems unfair, this I know well.

Hugs for you
Kitt

Posted 6/10/2009 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
i've been trying meds for almost a year now and everything makes me worse and my health insurance won't pay for any of it and i can't get different health insurance because i've already been diagnosed bipolar. my parents were paying for my medical bills but now things aren't going well with them i can't even talk to them.
Posted 6/11/2009 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
Tesslyn84, your in pain right now like all of us are in pain but your not bieng very nice to the ppl who replyed to your posts, not even saying thankyou or anything. I hope you get the help you need. Pls get therapy if you can.
Posted 6/12/2009 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
i've been in therapy for years and i don't know where you're getting me being mean from but if that's the way people on here are gonna treat me then i won't come back
Posted 6/12/2009 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
tess, i certainly do not feel this way. pls hang in there, i care, as others care, u are in a difficult situation. give the lithium a chance. certainly is one of the most effective treatments for bp. keep posting, am always here 4 u. hope things improve soon, luving healings, jamie.
Posted 6/12/2009 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Tess,

I am sorry you are struggling with your symptoms. It is unfortunate you are having a hard time finding the relief that you need. I was on Lithium for a while in the past, and it took a while for the side effects to go away. It usually takes some time to find the right combination of meds, I have been on so many that I had to write them down in order to remember. I hope you find something soon. Please keep us updated on how things are going.

Olivia :-)
Posted 6/13/2009 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Tess, Please keep posting with us for support. I'm sorry for the tough time you're having, and I hope things will get better for you soon.
Posted 6/14/2009 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
i've never thought about death more than i have this last week and i didn't go to my brother's graduation ceremony because i don't want to see my parents
Posted 6/14/2009 9:31 AM (GMT 0)
tess, am worried about u okay. pls post if u can, am here for u. jamie
Posted 6/14/2009 10:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Tess

Life throws us some bad situations.

I wish I could help you get past your troubles.
Hang in there and keep posting please.

I've just been out for a walk.
The sun is shining and the birds are singing.
I know there's alot worse off than me.

I was given a chance at life and I owe it to myself to carry on.

Best wishes to you Tess, people DO love you :)

Posted 6/14/2009 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
Tess, I'm sorry you weren't able to attend your brother's graduation. It sounds like you are feeling pretty low right now. Please come back and talk to us if you feel up to it, and don't hesitate to let your doc know how you are feeling. It's important that you reach out for help when you feel that bad. I hope that your experience with the Lithium improves as well. Please keep us posted.
Posted 6/14/2009 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
the lithium is making me constantly nauseous. i want to go live at the hospital
Posted 6/14/2009 10:01 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Tess,

I am sorry I was away for 3 days but I am back and to learn that you are still having problems with your med makes me feel bad for you.

Going to the hospital may be something you need to do as sometimes members do spend some time in the hospital and are able to get back to feeling better about themselves.

Please call you physician's office and talk to someone about the nausea and the bad feelings the Lithium is causing.

Take care and know we care about you.

Gentle Hugs

Kitt

Posted 6/14/2009 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
thanks guys i know you're trying to help but i just keep feeling worse every day
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