Quote:
Originally Posted by oldbutwise
I'm honestly not sure. I'm don't really know what qualifies as significant. I haven't been in the hospital since August 2011 but every 9 to 12 months I overdraw my bank account by $450 to $500. I'm pretty out of control when that happens.
Yeah. I just read that back. I posted in another thread about how the meds I was on messed me up pretty badly. I've never been on the right meds, have I? I see my new psychiatrist on the 30th. I knew I was going to tell him about my Zyprexa and Paxil. I guess we're going to be discussing medication for a lot longer than I thought.
Thank you BirdDancer.   Who knows how long I would have gone on not realizing just how serious my situation is? I would have told him that I cycle 4 to 6 times a year and not know to tell him it gets that bad.
The doctor who first diagnosed me really didn't tell me anything about bipolar disorder. I've pretty much had to learn everything on my own. He was there so long that when he left, the doctors who came in after him probably just assumed he told me pretty much everything I needed to know.
Thank you everybody in this section also.  Yes BirdDancer asked the question that made me realize this, but you all helped make that moment possible in ways you may not even be aware of.
I guess my doctor and I are going to be discussing a lot of things for a lot longer than I thought, and for more appointments than I thought. Well, at least now I know that while my first doctor was very nice and tried to be helpful, he really didn't do me too many favors, did he? Someone who comes along and reads this and sees that their doctor didn't educate them either will know to change doctors. |
oldbutwise, I am very happy if this thread has encouraged you to want to discuss your medications and/or bipolar illness more with your doctor. I hope that yields positive results.
It took a long while until I finally found a mix that made a real difference. I am generally happy with all meds in my mix and finally understand better what the purposes are of each of them. I know that in some cases, like mine, it was a matter of finally knowing what medications did more harm than good, to avoid mistakes being made again and again. That was significant! I also recognize the value that can be derived from therapy, as an adjunct to medications. Improved insight is priceless.
You identify spending issues as a frequent (or regular) issue for you. Knowing that alone is a clue that can act as a red flag. Self checks, regularly, are important for me. Though hyperspending is not one of my usual red flags, other symptoms are. My therapist reminds me to regularly question myself on my behavior. She and my psychiatrist do, as well, so possible episodes are nipped by the bud sooner than later, before they become "significant". PRN ("as needed") medication also helps to stop my escalating episodes in their tracks.