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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bluemoss on April 27, 2006, at 10:50:27
Hi.
I was recently diagnosed with bipolar 1. I am currently taking lexapro 20mg and Depakote 500mg. I have a strong history of Bipolar in my family. ( mom-suicide-1989) My doctor asked me some tranlations of cliche's ie dont cry over spilt milk and to count backwards in multiples of 7. I have no extreme manic episodes but have definately had depressions. I do have some very mild mania but more than anything i went in to deal with extreme anger swings. The doctor in a single half hour visit said bipolar 1. I am in my 3rd week of meds. I feel shaky, and very hyper. Something I hadn't felt before. Last week I could barely function I was so tired. I am willing to accept a bipolar, but I think I am a 2. Am i in Denial? What about this combination of drugs? I feel like I am having an axiety attack, (wich i haven't had in years).
Posted by curtm on April 27, 2006, at 13:49:16
In reply to Bipolar meds and possible misdiagnosis, posted by bluemoss on April 27, 2006, at 10:50:27
Hi- if you new here, I welcome you. If not (I am) and I still welcome you.
There have been a lot of new posts today (and very recently) about BP. I am too (BP1). Doesn't sound a lot like BP2, but more like BP1. I'm not the expert, but the definitions can be a little confusing, so don't get too concerned with diagnosing yourself.
Are you new to treatment for your disorder? If you are, then your body is probably going through some adaptation to stuff that it has never had introduced before. It takes a little time to adjust and to take effect, but watch it closely. I tried Lexapro and Paxil SSRI's with little to no effect.
I don't think you are in denial, just a little confused where this is going. You are in a good place here and will get a lot of questions answered by a lot of good caring people.
I don't understand why there are so many peple being prescribed both anti-depressants AND anti-manic meds together. There are meds that help stabilize both at the same time. I started out on one and we are trying to tweak it from there. Can anyone else here help explain that?
Posted by blueberry on April 27, 2006, at 18:30:25
In reply to Bipolar meds and possible misdiagnosis, posted by bluemoss on April 27, 2006, at 10:50:27
I personally think there are no clear boundary lines in psychiatry. Lots of different so-called conditions can be intermingled in various combinations from person to person. That's how I see it anyway. And they change over time. Sure, there are clear cases of bipolar when someone goes from euphoric mania to the depths of hell. But so often things aren't so clear cut.
It would not surprise me if you would be diagnosed with 5 different things if you went to 10 different psychiatrists.
The shakiness...depakote can cause tremors, and lexapro can too. I think it is basically a result of squashing down dopamine, kind of like a drug induced parkinsonism thing. At 3 weeks, it can probably be expected to end in another week or two. But if it doesn't, I would be ready to change something a little more pro-dopamine.
Posted by Phillipa on April 27, 2006, at 20:06:24
In reply to Re: Bipolar meds and possible misdiagnosis, posted by blueberry on April 27, 2006, at 18:30:25
I'm not bipolar to my knowledge but I couldn't tolerate lexapro head felt like it was going to explode, couldn't cry, legs twitching. I stopped after l0days. But we are all different. Love Phillipa
Posted by blueberry on April 27, 2006, at 20:20:37
In reply to Re: Bipolar meds and possible misdiagnosis, posted by Phillipa on April 27, 2006, at 20:06:24
Actually Phillipa I found DLPA to have good anti-anxiety effect, which surprised me. I was expecting it to electrify me. But it was smooth, almost total lifting of depression in hours, and a sense of peace and comfort. I kept expecting uncomfortable jitteriness that never happened. I hadn't actually noticed the anti-anxiety part of it until the next day when I didn't take it and anxiety was back.
> I'm not bipolar to my knowledge but I couldn't tolerate lexapro head felt like it was going to explode, couldn't cry, legs twitching. I stopped after l0days. But we are all different. Love Phillipa
Posted by bluemoss on April 28, 2006, at 8:17:24
In reply to Re: Bipolar meds and possible misdiagnosis » Phillipa, posted by blueberry on April 27, 2006, at 20:20:37
I think more than anything I am freaked out. I am 36. My mom was extreme bipolor...it was so obvious in her. I will keep taking meds and see what happens. The next question is psychotherapy. Should i be talking someone about my life, both past and dealing with this? The psychiatrist I use really doen't have interest in talking. Just prescribing.
Posted by greywolf on April 28, 2006, at 9:48:24
In reply to Re: Bipolar meds and possible misdiagnosis » Phillipa, posted by blueberry on April 27, 2006, at 20:20:37
You might want to get a second opinion on the BP dx. Other than a classic BPI, it seems difficult to dx BP in a single, short doctor's visit. There could be a variety of other diagnoses, including cyclothymic or unipolar depression with collateral depression-induced anxiety.
I would continue following doctor's orders, but I would follow-up with a second opinion when you can.
Posted by Caedmon on April 28, 2006, at 10:33:19
In reply to Bipolar meds and possible misdiagnosis, posted by bluemoss on April 27, 2006, at 10:50:27
I might recommend charting your moods and keep asking these questions, but don't suddenly stop taking any meds.
You're on a lot of Lexapro and not much Depakote for someone with BPI, where I would think the reverse is more classically acceptable. But, I assume you're just starting the Depakote?
- C
Posted by bluemoss on April 28, 2006, at 10:39:13
In reply to Re: Bipolar meds and possible misdiagnosis, posted by Caedmon on April 28, 2006, at 10:33:19
I like the idea of charting my moods. How different will they be now, though? Also did just start the depakote. I hear alot of negatives to SSRI'S. How would I find out about other antidepressants?
> I might recommend charting your moods and keep asking these questions, but don't suddenly stop taking any meds.
>
> You're on a lot of Lexapro and not much Depakote for someone with BPI, where I would think the reverse is more classically acceptable. But, I assume you're just starting the Depakote?
>
> - C
Posted by curtm on April 28, 2006, at 10:45:57
In reply to Re: Bipolar meds and possible misdiagnosis, posted by bluemoss on April 28, 2006, at 10:39:13
Coincidence. I just started a mood chart/calendar this week. I hope to get some good insight out of it. However, you should also make notes of certain events that triggered those moods on it too.
Posted by Jay on April 28, 2006, at 12:55:46
In reply to Bipolar meds and possible misdiagnosis, posted by bluemoss on April 27, 2006, at 10:50:27
> Hi.
> I was recently diagnosed with bipolar 1. I am currently taking lexapro 20mg and Depakote 500mg. I have a strong history of Bipolar in my family. ( mom-suicide-1989) My doctor asked me some tranlations of cliche's ie dont cry over spilt milk and to count backwards in multiples of 7. I have no extreme manic episodes but have definately had depressions. I do have some very mild mania but more than anything i went in to deal with extreme anger swings. The doctor in a single half hour visit said bipolar 1. I am in my 3rd week of meds. I feel shaky, and very hyper. Something I hadn't felt before. Last week I could barely function I was so tired. I am willing to accept a bipolar, but I think I am a 2. Am i in Denial? What about this combination of drugs? I feel like I am having an axiety attack, (wich i haven't had in years).
>
>Hmm..I don't know about this BP1 diagnosis. If you have depression and dysphoric mania (i.e. anger)you probably fit more into the BP2 or BP3 category. What is MOST important right now though is getting your "symptoms" looked after. Anger can be treated a few ways, with medication. There are the atypical antipsychotics, and the mood stabalizers (like the depakote you are on.) You've also got to deal with the depression. But, since you don't want to trigger mania, you gotta keep your eye on the lexapro. Try cutting that lexapro dose in half, and ramping up on an atypical antipsychotic. Risperdal at 0.5-1.0 mg's sounds like a good starting point. You can also add a tricyclic antidepressant to your meds, and nortriptyline seems very popular, and works well, these days.
Keep us posted...you have every right to put into your body what you want.
Best,
Jay
Posted by patrickhh on April 29, 2006, at 20:05:44
In reply to Re: Bipolar meds and possible misdiagnosis, posted by bluemoss on April 28, 2006, at 8:17:24
Sounds like it might be the Lexapro inducing an agitated condition, common in bipolar.
This is the end of the thread.
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