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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Kingfish on December 12, 2000, at 16:54:09
A while back, when I first came to this board, I posted an inquiry re: the frustration of not be able to obtain a diagnosis from my psych. Some folks felt a "label" was inconsequential, others agreed with me that it gives you a starting place and helps you understand what's going on.
Well, I am finally "officially" Bipolar 2, and it has lifted a great weight off of me. I realize it is just a "label" and that perhaps someone else would give me a different diagnosis but I feel it's correct. The medications I am on seem to be working now, Topamax and Celexa. I think it explains problems in my family. It also explains problems in my past. I don't feel quite as guilty now for everything that has gone wrong.
It also gives me a little room to do my own research and follow developments over time.
I would love any help other Bipolar 2's can give me, or feedback on this concept.
Thanks!
- Kelly
P.S. He said Dr. Bob's sote was fabulous.
Posted by Lisabet on December 12, 2000, at 19:12:20
In reply to The joy of getting a diagnosis!!, posted by Kingfish on December 12, 2000, at 16:54:09
Kingfish,
I am alot like you. I started out with panic attacks and anxiety. I then thought I had GAD.
My Pdoc pointed out to me that I had pressured speech and racing thoughts (hypomanic/not severe) and that she thought that I might be a mild bipolar II. At first I refused to believe it. I really didn't think so.
After some research and reading and analyzing myself, I think she is right on target. I thought these symptoms were just in my personality. I thought it was normal to be this way. I can remember being this way since I was little.
And for me, it does explain alot about my family as well.
Buspar helped me in the past with the anxiety swing that I had a few years ago. But this summer I got dysphoric-I was in a funk for months I couldn't get out of. Unhappy, crabby, irritable. Nothing I could do or think of would get me out of it.
Of course, I am treatment resistant. SSRI's, tryciclics, some of the newer meds, no good for me. They all exaggerate the anxiety and panic.
After some trial, it seems that the Wellbutrin is helping to get me out of the funk, but when I go to the Pdoc next week, I am going to ask for something to augment the Wellb. with for the anxiety, racing thoughts, driveness, inability to relax, and some obsessiveness. (I asked for suggestions in posting earlier.)
Does your doctor say anything about cycling? I think most bipolar II's cycle more often. And what do you think about Topamax? I asked my doctor about it and she didn't want to use it because it was fairly new. I didn't do well on Neurontin because of short-term memory, concentration, and fatigue. Please tell me about how your meds were administered.
Good luck and thanks!
Posted by Noa on December 12, 2000, at 19:18:34
In reply to Re: The joy of getting a diagnosis!!, posted by Lisabet on December 12, 2000, at 19:12:20
Even if thought of only as a "working diagnosis" I agree that for many people (not all), having a dx is very helpful.
For example, as Lisabet mentioned, the dx of anything in the bipolar family gives a framework for being more mindful of cycling moods and how monitoring cycling can help you manage your illness well.
It can also, as you mentioned, direct you and the pdoc to possible med approaches.
It doesn't really matter, in the end, if one dx or another is the absolute "truth", it only matters that the dx is useful in helping to find treatment and manage the illness so as to get on with life.
So, congrats on finding that elusive dx!
Posted by Kingfish on December 13, 2000, at 7:13:37
In reply to Re: The joy of getting a diagnosis!!, posted by Lisabet on December 12, 2000, at 19:12:20
Thank you, thank you Lisa and Noa.
Re: Meds. I have not tried the ones you've mentioned Lisa. I am very sorry you've had so much trouble finding the right combo.
I started on Zyprexa which had a lot of side effects - my right eye even started to twitch. At that point, my psych. thought there might be some psychotic symptoms but we've ruled that out.
Then I tried Serzone which did nothing.
I went on Celexa, which has helped some and hardly had any side effects, and Neurontin, like you. I just haven't felt anything from the Neurontin.
O.K., so now I'm on Celexa, 40 mg. and Topamax, 50 mg. I had a lot of trouble with the Topomax at first. I slurred, had trouble gathering my thoughts and was extremely sedated. I was up to 100 mg. and could not handle it, but when I went down to 50 mg., it got better.
I am worried because both drugs are so new - there's so little info on them and Topomax isn't even considered a mood stabilizer yet. But it does seem to be helping. (I am too pessimistic to say it is working - I'm afraid it will stop as soon as I say that). I figure I'll follow the developments and perhaps change medications later.
Good luck - let us know if you try Topamax or find something to counteract the Wellbutrin.
- Kelly
This is the end of the thread.
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