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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 24, 2003, at 16:18:41
In reply to Bipolar or PMDD?, posted by Casey P. Thompson on December 23, 2003, at 18:32:12
> So a few years back... I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. Sometimes I agree with the idea of it.... other moments, I dont. My mother argues its PMDD. I looked at both signs and symptoms, and well.... their both me.
>
> So my doctor gave me a prescription of Lamictal. Which is supposedly used for both severe PMDD and Bipolar Disorder.
>
> So far the medicine isnt doing much, though I just started last week.
>
> So how can you REALLY tell? I have tried to keep up with a calendar-- but I cant even keep up with my meds, let alone a report of my various mood swings.
> Its a big deal being diagnosed Bipolar-- it can ruin my life when it comes to getting jobs--- and getting caught with the meds by people...
>
> everyone assumes your automatically suicidal and or schizo when diagnosed with such a disease.
>
> Im def. irrational- passionate- extreme- and hot headed. I cant work- cant go to school- cant be normal for a DAY...
>
> Who am I... what am I?
>
> Im 22 - and feel Ive got a long miserable life ahead of me....
Posted by HappyGirl on December 25, 2003, at 13:30:30
In reply to Bipolar or PMDD? « Casey P. Thompson, posted by Dr. Bob on December 24, 2003, at 16:18:41
Hi:
In my knowledge, PMDD is more likely 'depressive' symptoms that include irritability/mild anger spell along with sadness and loneliness. PMDD is said to be easily controlled by anti-dep. only, like Zoloft.
On the otherhand, Bipolar has two poles that is one for depressive and another for manic episodes. In Bipolar, there are classified roughly, three different form of Bipolar, one is severe form, caled Bipolar I, such as psychosis/ delusional spells along with spending spree, hyper-sexuality and some more annoying manic symptoms. Bipolar II has hypomanic that is much milder form of manic, ... like all-night cleaning urge, over-productive activities, and other non-destructive mania. Last one, is Bipolar 3/cyclothemia(sp?) is very close to 'milder form of depression' that easily control by taking Lithium and small dosage of other mood-stailizer.
If your pdoc.'s dx as Bipolar, you need to take both mood-stabilizer and anti-depressant to stabilize Bipolar.
In regard to Lamical, this med. has a reputation of getting 'rash'/steve-Johnson"(if my recollection is correct,...), then most of time, a pdoc. started very low-dosage and move up very slowly, like over one and a half months' period. Then, it might be in your case. Also, as having started taking Lamical just last week, you need to give it some more time to get positive results. However, if this med., Lamical does not work even three more weeks, you may need to call to see the pdoc.
H.G.
Posted by LynneDa on December 26, 2003, at 12:08:31
In reply to Bipolar or PMDD? « Casey P. Thompson, posted by Dr. Bob on December 24, 2003, at 16:18:41
Hi Casey -
I've been diagnosed with PMDD. I'm 40. I think I've had bouts of minor depression over the years, however nothing debilitating. I take 10 mg of Lexapro, going up to 20 today (after 10 weeks) to see if I can even myself out better.My symptons are definitely cyclical - irrational anger and inexplicaable sadness, thought of suicide occasionally, obsessive thinking on certain subjects, in a mental fog, anxiety with some minor panic attacks, not productive enough at work, can't make decisions easily, tired all the time,etc. They become unbearable for the 2 weeks prior to my period. I did track them on a calendar - just rating myself on a scale of 1 - 5, 1 being intolerable behavior and 5 feeling normal. I rarely had any 5's! So the 1 - 3's were the ones that told the story for my doctor.
I do feel like I swing in moods, but I think it's very different from what I've read about bipolar. I don't see any reason why someone couldn't have both! But, I don't really know enough about BP to say. From a common sense perspective it seems that treating the BP would definitely help alleviate the PMDD symptoms, but not vice versa.
2 weeks isn't enough time to evaluate whether a drug works for you. You really need to wait 5 or 6, I think.
If you can find a med that levels you out, your job performance won't be as affected. Give yourself some time and realize at 22 you don't have to know who you are just yet, you will get there!! Also, don't worry so much about your *label* for now as you do about tracking your behaviors, feelings and symptoms. Those will tell the story and help your p-doc do the prescribing. Educate yourself as much as you can about anything he/she suggests. There are some extremely knowledgeable and highly intelligent people on this Board, it is a great place to ask questions.
I wish you the best of luck, Casey! Don't give up!
~ Lynne
Posted by ramsea on December 27, 2003, at 16:45:03
In reply to Bipolar or PMDD? « Casey P. Thompson, posted by Dr. Bob on December 24, 2003, at 16:18:41
I am bipolar plus have suffered horrendous PMDD throughout my life. (I am late 40s). I was dx at age 19. I strongly suggest that you just try to relieve symptoms for now by taking appropriate meds, trial and error. Also enter into psychotherapy if at all possible, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy--usually it is both individual and group counseling. It doesn't matter for now what label you get, so long as you get some relief from symptoms. Your job and life prospects won't be much cop if you are sent into continuous emotional chaos and turmoil by your biology. And having this biological emotional dysregulation problem (caused by hormones or some othe imbalance, whatever) is bound to cause, and have caused, social problems that therapy can address.
Try not to panic. Many successful people have bipolar and other mental conditions. Ted Turner for example. Jim Carrey. Walter Cronkite's daughter. The list is endless. There is still terrible stigma but really it is a lot more "normal" these days to have had therapy and to take a medicine for the mind. Most people don't have to know anyway. And you can tell them whatever youfeel like--you aren't obligated to give everyone a medical history. They don't have a right to the "truth". Only in some situations are you ethically bound to admit the meds you are on, and even then you don't always have to say the condition. But there is no shame in bipolar.
You may not be bipolar. BUT---If you are, it is important to know the truth and deal with it, face up to it. No one wants to have a major illness, but if you have one, wouldn't you rather accept it, learn all you can about it, and make recovery possible? A good book is "The Bipolar Survival Guide", it's really friendly and helpful. There are so many other good books too. Patty Duke's book is a good read--check Amazon. There are some other good sites.Try About.com under the subject bipolar. Try another site called BipolarWorld. There's tons of info on both of those sites on the subject of PMDD and Bipolar. Strangely enough, there are a disproportionate number of women with bipolar AND severe premenstrual problems. Maybe it's not so weird when you think of brain chemistry being driven by hormones working in conjunction with neurotransmitters and so on.....Thyroid problems are another common female bipolar complaint, and that's not including lithium problems.
Anyway--you have a physical disturbance, you need medical care. Your label is less important than your treatment. Take your problem seriously, but please don't stigmatize yourself. Educate yourself, educate, and educate. And develop supports and talking outlets for yourself, where you can discuss these matters openly. I have two degrees and have worked as a professional. Bipolar has rarely been the main thing in my life. But when I have tried to pretend it wasn't there, it nearly killed me. I need to accept my reality and make the best of it, and make the most of my life.
Posted by LynneDa on December 30, 2003, at 15:01:05
In reply to Re: bipolar or what, posted by ramsea on December 27, 2003, at 16:45:03
This is the end of the thread.
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