[NoMoreNola]

When I was 7 years old I was diagnosed ADHD with ODD. They put me on Ritalin and everything was fine until I hit the age of 14.
It was at this age that I first heard the word "bipolar". Unfortunately, my father also heard the word "bipolar" and yanked me outta my psych's patient list before I could even blink my eyes. My family doctor took over my scripts, changed the Ritalin to Adderall, and everyone thought all was well.

Everyone, but me, that is.

I remained in this so-called "unwell" state for years and years. Like a twister or a hurricane, I destroyed everything and everyone in my path. I continued along my path of destruction until a few months ago, at which point I realized I was destroying my life and everyone in it. So what did I do? I picked up the Yellow Pages and look under "Psychiatrist". I called single one, asking if they took my insurance and what their prices were, until I finally found one that I could afford.

My diagnosis was Bipolar 1 Rapid Cycle. Woo Hoo. They gave me Lithium (which just so happens to be the song inspiring me to write right now), Trazodone, Klonopin, and Abilify.

That is just my back story. Right now I'm having a lil issue with whether or not what I've been feeling and experiencing is a side effect of the meds I'm on, if it's what my therapist said it might be (hypomania), or if it's the fact that I'm actually ADHD as well as Bipolar.

Basically, I'm confused as to how those to can co-exsist and still be treated properly with the right meds without interferring with the other. My doc said they can, but after all the research I've done I just don't see how they can be treated effectivly.

Does anyone out there know anything about this?? Cause I'm dying to know....

[doriss49]

Hi there!
Let me know if you get an answer. My 17yrold ADHD daughter has a similar problem. She says she would rather take some of my bipolar meds than her ritalin. We are struggling, the stress of it all has given her dad a heart attack. (He is ADHD too).
doriss

I was diagnosed w/ADHD as an adult at the same time I was dxed w/bipolar. I take meds for bipolar & Concerta. Been on both kinds of medications for about 12 yrs. Cannot imagine doing without the Concerta. It has helped me so much. Same w/bipolar meds.

Now in the process of getting off some meds for bipolar due to making a lot of progress through therapy & DBT.

Originally Posted by doriss49

Hi there!
Let me know if you get an answer. My 17yrold ADHD daughter has a similar problem. She says she would rather take some of my bipolar meds than her ritalin. We are struggling, the stress of it all has given her dad a heart attack. (He is ADHD too).
doriss

[NoMoreNola]

My doc thinks it is a side effect of my abilify, so she put me on some other medication they give folks with parkinsens disease. It's not helping tho, which leads me to believe that it is ADHD. I'm waiting for my next appointment to find out more. Until then, I guess I'm just stuck in this state of weird-crazy.

Originally Posted by doriss49

Hi there!
Let me know if you get an answer. My 17yrold ADHD daughter has a similar problem. She says she would rather take some of my bipolar meds than her ritalin. We are struggling, the stress of it all has given her dad a heart attack. (He is ADHD too).
doriss