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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 Dixie_gal on August 22, 2006, at 21:08:31
Hello everyone!
I posted this on the Newbies board, but thought I'd post here too.
I was diagnosed as bipolar in Oct. was put on Lamictal, Ambilfy and Seroquel. Those meds turned me into a complete Zoombie. I began having black-outs (also while driving), dizziness, I was falling down almost daily and had horrible memory problems. It seemed everytime I told my doctor he just increased my dosages. I asked the doctor to take me off all the meds and he refused. After 6 months I finally decided to ween myself off since the black-outs were getting more frequent and I was afraid of killing someone or myself behind the wheel. The worst thing is, I can remember almost nothing when I was on all those medications, those 7 months are like a blurr!!
I'm doing lots better since being put on an HRT and Effexor by a different doctor.
Are there any long term side effects from taking these meds when I didn't need them?
Posted by james K on August 23, 2006, at 0:02:04
In reply to Misdiagnosed as Bipolar, posted by Dixie_gal on August 22, 2006, at 21:08:31
I've taken the Lamictal and the Seroquel. I've also been perhaps misdiagnosed as bipolar. The seroquel is the really intense drug of the bunch. I don't have the feeling that you would have serious side-effects from taking these meds for 6 months. I've taken many meds over the years, some long term and some short term.
I think there is a reaction whenever you take any psychoactive drug, and whenever you discontinue one, and you need to be informed and weigh the risks. That said, that combo under the circumstances, I think you were right to stop, but not permanently damaged. Give yourself some time to completely adjust to new meds and discontinuing old.
If you have symptoms, just keep in mind some are of illness, some are side-effects.
My opinion only. I hope it helps some.
James K
Posted by Reggie BoStar on August 23, 2006, at 2:00:15
In reply to Misdiagnosed as Bipolar, posted by Dixie_gal on August 22, 2006, at 21:08:31
If you told your pdoc that you were having blackouts while driving and he increased the dosages and did nothing else, he was either grossly neglectful or he didn't believe what you were saying.
You did tell him about the blackouts, right? Because if you were having blackouts while driving, then, regardless of medication issues, he should have had you taken off the road. You were a threat to the safety of other drivers and pedestrians.
Falling down is another situation that your pdoc should have addressed, had he believed you. If you fell and injured yourself while in his care and could make a case that the condition was induced by his care via the medications, you could have sued him for malpractice and/or had his license to practice revoked.
There is simply no excuse for the kind of behaviour your pdoc has exhibited.
You've talked about some very serious and dangerous circumstances which your pdoc apparently ignored.
Something isn't right here.
Posted by madeline on August 23, 2006, at 9:47:27
In reply to Misdiagnosed as Bipolar, posted by Dixie_gal on August 22, 2006, at 21:08:31
Did your symtoms resolve now that you are off the meds?
Maddie
Posted by Dixie_gal on August 23, 2006, at 23:06:33
In reply to Re: Misdiagnosed as Bipolar, posted by Reggie BoStar on August 23, 2006, at 2:00:15
I told him everything!! He just kept increasing my dosages.
To make a long story short ... I was injured on the job in March 2003. Workman comp is crooked! It took 10 months for me to see a doctor that believed I wasn't faking, I had 2 damaged nerves in my right arm that had to be surgically repaired. By then I was wondering if I was imagining the pain. All this caused problems on my job, was sent to a psychiatrist. Diagnosed Major Depressive, after about 18 mos. was taking Effexor 350mg, Wellbutrin 300 mg, Neurontin 1500mg, Xanax .5 mg 3 x day, and one more that I can't remember right now. I was more depressed than ever, cried at the drop of a hat. In October, I was convinced by my new supervisor that I might need to examine the possiblity of being bipolar. Told the doc what she said boom I'm bipolar.
March was the last time I went to the psychiatrist. I told him about the blackouts, falling down breaking my arm, not being able to concentrate on my job, I was sleeping 12-13 hours a nite ... he raised my dosages. I was on 400mg Lamictal, 200mg Ambilfy, 100mg Seroquel and Xanax PRN. Being over medicated for 2 years, has caused problems on my job. BTW, my supervisor was pushing for me to get on disability. I didn't/don't want to be a drug-induced disabled person.
I contacted my pcp that same day, he told me how to reduce the meds. I was a total wreck for about 8 weeks. I have since been diagnosed hormonal with clinical depression. I am on 75 mg Effexor and FINALLY after 3 years feel like my old self :)
Posted by Dixie_gal on August 23, 2006, at 23:58:33
In reply to Re: Misdiagnosed as Bipolar » Dixie_gal, posted by james K on August 23, 2006, at 0:02:04
The plan is keeping in touch with MYSELF ;) If the meds stop working I will ask my PCP to refer me to someone HE trusts! Our minds, our most precious resource ... the easiest part to become wounded ...
Thank you!!
Posted by Dixie_gal on August 24, 2006, at 0:07:06
In reply to Bipolar is the diagnosis du jour lately, posted by madeline on August 23, 2006, at 9:47:27
> Did your symtoms resolve now that you are off the meds?
>
> MaddieYes, thankfully. So far, anyway!!! I think I was on too many different anti's which caused my mania's. I was told by my GYN menopause has some bipolar symtoms.
Thanks for asking Maddie =)
This is the end of the thread.
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