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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 smylin on March 10, 2001, at 20:23:47
Hello,
I have been suffering from a type of mood disorder since I was 14. When I was 19 I was told I was having panic attacks and social anxiety disorder and diven medication ( I now know I was experiencing manic episodes) When I was 21 I had my first severe, life threatening episode of depression. I was medicated with Zoloft and stabilized for a while. I then cyled back into mania and took myself off the meds without consulting a doctor. So the story conutinues on this way for several years. Then I was stable by taking a combination of medications (sometimes 4-6 a day) for abouut three years . My doctor at the time had diagnosed me with Chronic Adult Depression and said I would need to be medicated for life for this.
Well, the mania seemd to subside (I now know I was probably hypo manic). Life progressed and I went off medications to have my son. He was born on 11/01/99. I have been rapid cycling ever since unable to find any medication to treat my diagnosis of "depression". So, after my family had relocated I saw a new Psychiatrist who conducted a thorough interview of almost two hours. We went all the way back to when I was a child and my parents called me the "emotional" one.
He diagnosed me as Bipolar Type II and I am now on track to starting medications. My question is this: I don't want "new" medications to make this all worse because I'm barely hanging on as it is. My doctor has put me on Serzone and will start Depakote on 3/16 once the serzone has had a chance to reach its proper level. From there he will introduce whatever is necessary. What advice do you guys have for someone like me who has been misdiagnosed so many times. What should I do about all of these medication decisions?
Posted by phillybob on March 11, 2001, at 8:45:45
In reply to newly diagnosed and lots of questions, posted by smylin on March 10, 2001, at 20:23:47
Here's a Psychobabble discussion thread link (with links within) to what info I'd offer in this situation: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010310/msgs/56133.html
There also seems to be some people who've had prolonged success with mood stabilizers (I hope to be one too); some of these "successes" post (Judy, I think) and others ... well, what do they need us for? :) Best wishes.
Posted by desertbred on March 17, 2001, at 14:52:56
In reply to newly diagnosed and lots of questions, posted by smylin on March 10, 2001, at 20:23:47
> Hello,
>
> I have been suffering from a type of mood disorder since I was 14. When I was 19 I was told I was having panic attacks and social anxiety disorder and diven medication ( I now know I was experiencing manic episodes) When I was 21 I had my first severe, life threatening episode of depression. I was medicated with Zoloft and stabilized for a while. I then cyled back into mania and took myself off the meds without consulting a doctor. So the story conutinues on this way for several years. Then I was stable by taking a combination of medications (sometimes 4-6 a day) for abouut three years . My doctor at the time had diagnosed me with Chronic Adult Depression and said I would need to be medicated for life for this.
>
> Well, the mania seemd to subside (I now know I was probably hypo manic). Life progressed and I went off medications to have my son. He was born on 11/01/99. I have been rapid cycling ever since unable to find any medication to treat my diagnosis of "depression". So, after my family had relocated I saw a new Psychiatrist who conducted a thorough interview of almost two hours. We went all the way back to when I was a child and my parents called me the "emotional" one.
>
> He diagnosed me as Bipolar Type II and I am now on track to starting medications. My question is this: I don't want "new" medications to make this all worse because I'm barely hanging on as it is. My doctor has put me on Serzone and will start Depakote on 3/16 once the serzone has had a chance to reach its proper level. From there he will introduce whatever is necessary. What advice do you guys have for someone like me who has been misdiagnosed so many times. What should I do about all of these medication decisions?Oh my. I'm sorry you've been through so much unhelpful medical "help." I haven't been misdiagnosed as often, but I went undiagnosed for easily about twenty years (not counting childhood signs that might have held a clue), and was then misdiagnosed once. I was diagnosed with depression and started on Prozac about 7 years ago. I had a notably strong response, becoming hypomanic. (I miss those days...sigh) Its effectiveness died completely about 3 1/2 years later. After Prozac I tried Wellbutrin, Effexor, Celexa, ... I think I've forgotten one. None worked, and I had to switch doctors. I am now also diagnosed BP II. However, all I am taking right now is 900 mg of lithium, the old standby. (I was taking lamictal (lamotrigine) also, but developed an adverse reaction; and, honestly, it wasn't really lifting my mood at all, which was why we were steadily increasing the dose.) My concern, and my doc's too, is not to see depression creeping back in. I had some mild hypomanic episodes in my teens and through my mid-twenties, but by my early thirties, my mood "swings" were from "barely able to cope" to "profoundly unable to cope." So I will have to add something if I become steadily depressed again. As for what you should do? My two cents: do everything. Find a doctor whose approach you trust - and remember, they are not all-seeing and all-knowing -- and try everything. Do you trust this current doctor? Personally, I always prefer a doctor who takes a conservative approach. It's not right that you should be "barely hanging on" - and it's not necessary. You deserve much more. But it's work and you have responsibilities in the search, too. Remember - in this country, even "new" meds have been through years of testing - we as consumers are not so much guinea pigs as some people seem to feel. Get informed. Of course drugs can have side effects. Make your decisions in advance: which side effects are completely unacceptable to you? (if any) Is it beginning to sound like a battle? I guess I look at it that way a bit. But you have to believe that the struggle will be worthwhile. Good luck.
Posted by smylin on March 18, 2001, at 10:26:50
In reply to Re: newly diagnosed and lots of questions, posted by desertbred on March 17, 2001, at 14:52:56
Thanks for the great responses. My doctor had me on serzone 400 mg a day but that kicked me into a rapid cycling phase. It almost put me in the hospital. I am now nacking down off my serzone dosage a little each day. I have started on Depakote 500 mg a day to be raised to 1000 mg a day over the next two weeks. Then more bloodwork. I have done more reading on the subject and I am just absolutely p-oed that I was miss diagnosed so badly for so long. All the time I missed I can't get back. My current life is falling apart because it had to come to this extreme to get an appropriate diagnosis.
But, this doctor is working very hard with me to keep me from hospitalization (I have an 18 mo old at home and seperations are awful for him) If I need anything at all I have a 24 hr line to call and it will put me in touch wit him or the hospital intake if necessary. Trust me, I've called several times already and everyone has been truly helpful getting me re-focused and back on track.
I am now hopeful.
:) smylin
Posted by phillybob on March 18, 2001, at 13:51:02
In reply to Re: newly diagnosed and lots of questions - UPDATE, posted by smylin on March 18, 2001, at 10:26:50
Hey, Smylie! Sounds good! I am a strong believer that understanding one's situation and being an active part in one's getting better is a key to success (though patience is also a big helper as the promised land seems to have mirage-like qualities ... there it is, there it isn't). :)
Your kid'll love you better for stayin' focused! Best wishes!
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