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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rudialexander on December 23, 2004, at 13:03:28
My new meds doc (I moved regions) thinks I'm "bipolar 2" and not unipolar depression with ADD. So he has me on 5 different meds besides Effexor-- which I took, mostly successfully, for years. The med I like is Provogil (modafinil) which focuses me more, but most of the others seem like overkill. And I must admit, I feel weird about being called bipolar-- somehow it seems more serious. I'm wondering-- are there any other unipolars out there who got re-diagnosed? Did your doctor explain why? Do you think bipolar 2 is just a fad? Did your doc add meds, and did they make you feel better?
Posted by MM on December 23, 2004, at 16:07:37
In reply to any bipolar 2s here?, posted by rudialexander on December 23, 2004, at 13:03:28
I was first diagnosed with major depression and anxiety and given antidepressants. They put me into a weird, uncomfortable, over-stimulated state, so I am now diagnosed with BPII. I'm not sure if it's the right diagnosis, but I do feel better, after a long period of trying different meds. The one drug that I noticed really helping is Clonazepam, which is a benzo or anti-anxiety med, so I'm not sure what that means. It was hard for me to switch to BPII because it seemed much more serious to me as well. It seems like a lot more people are being diagnosed with it now, and I'm not sure what that means (I have my own little conspiracy theories). The main thing is do the meds help...I guess. The diagnosis is just so they can use certain meds I think, whether or not you are the absolute picture of the disease. I'm not trying to give you any advice, just telling my experience. ADD is in the Bipolar spectrum, also (many people with ADD are Bipolar and many Bipolars have ADD, or at least that's one theory).
I wish you luck finding what helps you. It can be pretty hard to get used to taking so many meds, but if they help, you won't mind. Be careful about side effects though; do your own research when you take them and if you start to gain weight...like 5 lbs in a week or two......I would try to get off the med or be extremely watchful because it can pile on fast. Oh ya, and the first pdoc diagnosed me with Major Depression and Anxiety, but she retired, and the second said BPII.
Hope somewhere in this babbly post you find some help.Meg
Posted by Lazarus on December 24, 2004, at 20:30:59
In reply to any bipolar 2s here?, posted by rudialexander on December 23, 2004, at 13:03:28
I was diagnosed with BPII, Rapid Cycling in 1987, long before it became trendy.
I originally was placed on lithium and imipramine, but that combination took away all the color and excitement of the world.
I now take:
Abilify 5 mg
Lamictal 25
Wellbutrin 75
Zyprexa 2.5 or Seroquel 25
Diazepam 5 (PRN)Lazarus
This is the end of the thread.
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