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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MM on June 23, 2001, at 4:06:59
I've been reading through this site about A.D.D. and Bipolar, and now I'm really starting to doubt the BPII diagnosis. The sleep thing (I've never gone more than one day without sleep, and it wasn't fun) especially makes me think I'm ADD (without hyperactivity) rather than BPII. Does anyone know of useful articles, websites, information? I'm starting to doubt the pdoc. It seems like since I'm only 18, he should be especially careful in his examination, and it seemed too quick to me. Would I be able to tell if I have A.D.D. instead of BP by going on lithium? ANY help would be appreciated.
Posted by Zo on June 24, 2001, at 15:12:26
In reply to Confused, posted by MM on June 23, 2001, at 4:06:59
Interested in your post because my diagnosis mutated from BPII into ADD. . .lots of med experience. Read Shadow Syndromes, and there's other good books on ADD, but that one gives you a sense of it. Happy to share my med history if useful.
Posted by MM on June 25, 2001, at 3:04:05
In reply to Re: Confused, posted by Zo on June 24, 2001, at 15:12:26
Thanks Zo. I'm sort of hoping my dx will evolve into ADD, but it doesn't really matter if I get good treatment. Do you know of any online ADD tests, for adults? (The children ones I've found are too child specific ie; aggressive with other children).
Posted by Cece on June 25, 2001, at 4:19:19
In reply to Confused, posted by MM on June 23, 2001, at 4:06:59
I'm BP II- also never did the classic manic bit, just had periods of heightened productivity which evolved into hellholes of not being able to live in my own skin,then crashing depressions. All of which I managed to hide from all but my closest friends. Now I know that that was hypomania.
I tried a stimulant (Cylert) a few years ago as a possible anti-depressant, but after a few days of feeling grateful that I could finally think again, I began to go nuts and it took quite awhile to recover.
But since then my mood stablizer combo has gotten much more effective. A few months ago, something I said got my doctor's attention and he raised the possibility of ADD. I decided to try Adderall in addition to my other meds (I take many). It has really helped me regain some mental clarity and energy. Whether or not I really have ADD is unclear, and actually not very important to me. Mostly I just care that this med has helped.
No, you would not be able to tell if you are BP by going on Lithium. Lithium was the first but now is just one of many mood stabilizers, and it takes a lot of trial and error to find one that works. Everybody is different. I also take other meds- a complex "cocktail" worked out over 8 years. It's not perfect yet, I still have some chronic low-grade depression, but I'm very much better overall.
BPII is a complex diagnosis- harder to treat usually than BP (but much more successfully treated if spotted at an early age, like 18). It's also possible to have both BPII and ADD. If you have good reasons to not trust your pdoc, find another- or get a second opinion. But also be patient. By the way, if the only mood stabilizer that your doc is considering is lithium, then definitely get more/other input. Much has happened in meds since lithium, although it is still the most effective treatment for some people.
Good luck,
Cece> I've been reading through this site about A.D.D. and Bipolar, and now I'm really starting to doubt the BPII diagnosis. The sleep thing (I've never gone more than one day without sleep, and it wasn't fun) especially makes me think I'm ADD (without hyperactivity) rather than BPII. Does anyone know of useful articles, websites, information? I'm starting to doubt the pdoc. It seems like since I'm only 18, he should be especially careful in his examination, and it seemed too quick to me. Would I be able to tell if I have A.D.D. instead of BP by going on lithium? ANY help would be appreciated.
Posted by MM on June 25, 2001, at 19:40:27
In reply to Re: Confused » MM, posted by Cece on June 25, 2001, at 4:19:19
It seems like lithium is the only med he's considering. I really don't want to try lithium first. Even if it does work, I know I'll want to try the other ones (anticonvulsants) because lithium is such a hassle compared to them. If I go off lithium, then no other ones work for me, there's a chance lithium won't work again right? He won't discuss it over the phone. Are most pdocs like that? You have to go in to talk about meds?
Posted by Cece on June 26, 2001, at 0:19:33
In reply to Re: Confused, posted by MM on June 25, 2001, at 19:40:27
Some meds don't work the second time around, or at least not as well, but I don't think that lithium is one of them (not positive, hopefully other people will give input).
Most docs, especially with new patients won't do much over the phone. Some of it is valid- takes some time for them to figure out the right course and seeing somebody in person gives a lot more clues than over the phone. Sometimes however, it can go to an extreme that to my mind is cruel and power-trippy. Time will tell- try to both trust your instincts and be open-minded about this new situation. Monitor your own sanity, and if you have any friends who can give you feedback on how your mood appears to them, ask for it.
Ask your doc why lithium is where he wants you to start. Ask him what his opinion is of the newer mood stabilizers and what percentage of his patients he has on what meds for your diagnosis. If you have any doubt, ask him how he arrived at your diagnosis. Ask him if he "layers" meds (adds meds to supplement others), or if he believes in monotherapy (one drug, and only one drug).
Maybe you are a different personality type, but for me, any doc who doesn't respect and answer my questions in a way that I can understand them is not going to work out. After all, he is supposed to be working for you, right? I'm not proposing hostility, merely discrimination. There are good pdocs out there.
It can be very hard to do all this when you are in a vulnerable place, which most people are when they first seek help. Just do your best and get all the support and feedback that you can (but be discriminating about that, too! Keep what fits and makes sense, and make allowances for people's own prejudices).
Oh yeah- what makes you think that lithium is more of a hassle than other mood stabilizers? Just about everything has some side effect potential, restrictions on use, etc. Plenty of people take lithium very comfortably and effectively- I have a friend who has taken it for 30 years with no complaint.
Best wishes,
Cece
> It seems like lithium is the only med he's considering. I really don't want to try lithium first. Even if it does work, I know I'll want to try the other ones (anticonvulsants) because lithium is such a hassle compared to them. If I go off lithium, then no other ones work for me, there's a chance lithium won't work again right? He won't discuss it over the phone. Are most pdocs like that? You have to go in to talk about meds?
Posted by MM on June 26, 2001, at 5:23:33
In reply to Re: Confused » MM, posted by Cece on June 26, 2001, at 0:19:33
the blood tests is what made me think lithium is a hassle, but I guess every three months isn't that bad. I've also kind of wondered about the subthreshold epilepsy thing, so I thought anticonvulsants might be better. I don't really know, and that's why we have pdocs right? I guess I have to try it and see if it works.
This is the end of the thread.
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