Posted by Ron Hill on September 17, 2007, at 22:13:27
In reply to Re: My Horrible Experience on Abilify » Ron Hill, posted by AnneL on September 16, 2007, at 22:56:01
Anne,
You stated that you do not know for sure if are bipolar. In that case, the first thing we have to do is determine your dx. Enclosed are two diagnostic tests for bipolar disorder. Read what I’ve wrote before opening Test #2.
Test # 1: http://i.cmpnet.com/CME/pt/PDF/MDQ_Quest.pdf
Print the test and take it. When you finish, let me know and I will send you the scoring sheet. We have to reply to each other as quickly as we can, if we are going to have you ready for your pdoc appointment on 9/27/07. So check this thread as often as you can, and I will do the same.
Test #2: http://i.cmpnet.com/CME/pt/PDF/HAMD_Quest.pdf
The second test is designed to be given orally to the pt by the pdoc. Therefore, the test form has the score key printed in a blue box on the second page of the test immediately following question 17.Print this test, and try hard not to look at the score key. Stay honest – no cheating, Anne girl. : ) Fill out the first page, and when you turn to the second page, cover up the blue box with you hand while you finish the test.
Better yet, do not look at the two page test form. Have a friend ask you the questions and record your answers on the form. Let me know asap and I will send you the full score sheet that goes with the test.
Okay, let me ask you some questions. As I understand it, you were rx’ed the Effexor script by a GP and until very recently you have been seeing the GP and staying on the Effexor for the past 7 years. But now you are going to a pdoc and in you first meeting the pdoc rx’ed you a script of low dosage Abilify as a moodstabilizer to go with your Effexor. Tell me anything that is wrong with what I just stated.
Have you ever taken any p-meds other than Effexor and a few days of Abilify?
What caused you to go to the GP seven years ago? Depression? Did the GP diagnose (dx) your condition?
Has any doctor dx’ed you as bipolar (BP)? If so, was the dx BP 1 or BP 2?
Has any doctor dx’ed you as having any type of disorder?
Is there any history of mental illness (either dx’ed or not dx’ed) in your extended family?
How are you doing with your homework assignment? Remember Anne, just scan the research documents, and use the search features. When the document is in Internet Explorer (your normal Windows browser), then search my clicking on the Edit button on the menu bar, and then select Find on this PAGE. If the document is a pdf file then click on the picture of binoculars. Enter key words, like “rapid cycling”, “mania”, “switching”, etc. Remember, our purpose for the research documents are to show to your pdoc in order to convince him that monothearpy with Effexor is absolutely inappropriate and that Effexor has turned you into a rapid cycler.
I threw in the LowBlueLight links only as an FYI. If it turns out that you are BP, then working the midnight shift is one of the worst things a BP pt can do. It gets your circadian clock all messed up. The LowBlueLight glasses are a great help to reset your circadian clock.
But, let get your dx figured out right now.
Do you have health insurance?
What prompted you to go to a pdoc after seven years of going to a GP?
Is your pdoc male or female?
Is your pdoc open to hearing and trying your ideas regarding what meds you want to try?
What kind of vibs do you get from your pdoc?
Why did you select this pdoc?
Okay, enough for tonight. Remember, let’s do quick turnarounds so we can make our deadline. Very short answers are all I need.
-- Ron
Bipolar II with ultra rapid cycling (15 day cycle), and mild Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
600 mg/day Trileptal
200 mg/day Lamictal
875 mg/day Keppra
90 mg/day Nardil
poster:Ron Hill
thread:780264
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070911/msgs/783614.html