Posted by paulk on May 23, 2003, at 10:44:29
In reply to Re: Mirapex, posted by comorbid? on May 22, 2003, at 22:03:18
>In my case, the current diagnosis is childhood-onset bipolar, type 2, seasonal, with rapid (ultra-ultra-rapid) cycling
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>But, referring back to the above, my new psychiatrist refused to prescribe stimulants, because he felt they might induce mania. This despite the fact that I have only experienced hypomania, never full-blown mania, and never psychosis. Needless to say, I found this frustrating.
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>… it has not had any great influence on my mood swings; last autumn, which season is usually my worst due to falling light levels, was absolutely horrible, my worst in a decade
A very similar type of deal is going on with my sister’s girl. Once she got the bipolar diagnose, they wouldn’t even try her with stimulants.I think the bi-polar diagnose is a fad diagnose and unfortunately, ends up removing most of your treatment options. Deciding if a patient is hyperactive or manic is a VERY subjective determination that will get you either a bipolar or a quite different ADD diagnose.
The fix is to go to a new doctor and tell him you want his to diagnose you BEFORE he has access to your old records.
You will most likely get a new diagnose, and if it is non bi-polar you should be able to try stimulants. (In fact I would bet if you go to 5 different doctors, you will get 5 different diagnoses!)
Your best hope to get good treatment is to be very proactive with your doctor.
poster:paulk
thread:133458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030520/msgs/228572.html