Bipolar and/or ADHD

sugahorse1 · Apr 01, 2011 at 03:11 AM

So- I went to see my pdoc yesterday just to discuss how my meds were going and the get them approved by my insurance.
I started talking about some of my concerns, which I thought were side-effects of the Wellbutrin.
He's now asked me to try some ADHD meds and phone him in a month's time.
He said we can then consider stopping my mood stabiliser and Wellbutrin... Hello, am I missing something here? I have never felt as 'stable' as with the Wellbutrin, and haven't had a major depressive episode since I started.
Is it possible my initial dx was wrong? Or that the 2 dx's are running concurrently?

I've tried to read up a bit on ADHD and agree that the symptoms seem to fit. But, what about he past Sui attempts? What about the chronic, debilitating depression... There are certain things I go through, that are not explainable with a dx of ADHD

I'm just a little confused at the moment-not quite sure what to think

onlymedid · Apr 01, 2011 at 07:46 AM

Maybe you need a different Pdoc? Maybe you need to tell him you don't feel you are being heard? If it were me, I would question it. My Pdoc has listened to me in the past when I have questioned him and said, "well, why don't we try this then". A good Pdoc will listen to you.

sugahorse1 · Apr 01, 2011 at 08:21 AM

I'm going to give Concerta a try, as I know I can stop it if I don't like the results. Or feel it is a waste of time.

I had to stand up for myself to be able to talk about my recent 'side effects' as it is, because he was just going to write another script.

I think he may be on to something, but wonder how frequent it happens; the dual-diagnosis? Or how to diagnose?

ladyjrnlist · Apr 01, 2011 at 08:35 AM

You did tell pdoc about some concerns that you thought were side effects of Wellbutrin, right? Maybe he/she is just seeking an alternative for that?

sugahorse1 · Apr 01, 2011 at 08:51 AM

Yes, that is what it think. So I'm ok with trying this Concerta, and of course I'll be happy if it's the answer I've been looking for

thinker22 · Apr 01, 2011 at 09:39 AM

My pdoc tried Strattera (another ADHD med) on me. I can't remember why, but it didn't help me so I quit it. I think maybe because it's a stimulant, and I was so depressed I didn't want to get out of bed, is why she prescribed it. It's definitely an "upper". Notice if you feel jittery with shaky hands. It should calm you down if you have ADHD or ADD, but if you don't, you'll feel like you're crawling out of your skin or something akin to that.

sugahorse1 · Apr 01, 2011 at 10:21 AM

Ok, so what side effects am I supposed to be weary of?
I take Wellbutrin as a stimulant, and it works well for me. I was also too depressed to do anything, and had sui thoughts - the Wellbutrin has stopped all of that.
But now my head feels fuzzy, I forget things, I do 5 things at once and never get anything done...

blueoctober · Apr 01, 2011 at 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sugahorse

But now my head feels fuzzy, I forget things, I do 5 things at once and never get anything done...

I can get like this when I'm in a hypomanic episode. I would suggest consulting a different pdoc. I would be concerned about starting an ADHD med. JMO.

crzyladee · Apr 01, 2011 at 02:09 PM

I went through this 2 doctors ago. Was on lithium, wellbutrin haldol and adderall. It worked well for me at the time.

thinker22 · Apr 01, 2011 at 08:08 PM

If working properly, an ADHD med should make you more able to focus and accomplish things. If it doesn't work, it's like you described...you start a bunch of projects but never finish them...it's a crack form of hypomania. Tell your doc what response you're having to it. Maybe he or she will eliminate it.

Tsunamisurfer · Apr 02, 2011 at 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sugahorse

I started talking about some of my concerns, which I thought were side-effects of the Wellbutrin.
He's now asked me to try some ADHD meds and phone him in a month's time.... Is it possible my initial dx was wrong? Or that the 2 dx's are running concurrently? ... But, what about he past Sui attempts? What about the chronic, debilitating depression... There are certain things I go through, that are not explainable with a dx of ADHD

Suga, ADHD and Bipolar co-occur quite commonly. I would be weary of removing your meds that protect you from depression or mania. But as others have suggested, one of the tests for ADHD is your response to a stimulant such as Concerta. Be prepared to phone him immediately if things start going pear shaped when you start Concerta. 1 month is a long time to be on something that messes you up if it doesn't agree with you.

sugahorse1 · Apr 02, 2011 at 02:16 PM

I'm going to start tomorrow...
Cant afford to stop an anti-dep... Can't afford to feel more fuzzy

Vita · Apr 04, 2011 at 03:23 PM

Sure, give it a try. Now, I really want to sticg to my Ritalin and Lamictal.
Treating one og the disorders only left me still feeling exhausted from the other.

Now, after a year on combined treatment, I realize that both are in remission and under control.

Finally I see the problems I have been fighting all those years.
I hope you will find a good combination of meds.

That is quite a bit of a relief.

Confusedinomicon · Apr 04, 2011 at 05:06 PM

I read that ADHD and Bipolar disorder coincide with one another. A side effect of BP is having short attention span and the short attention span typically follows a certain mood(s). ADHD, the person is always has the symptoms and it does not correspond with the mood.

There is a huge overlap though. You could have both. I would try it but keep track of your mood and symptoms on a moodtracker site or something.

sugahorse1 · Apr 05, 2011 at 04:28 AM

I used to track moods and I cycled weekly. Now I'm a lot more level.

I don't think it's ADHD-i don't 'bounce'.

Not feeling much different I think, but I'm doing ok-day 3 of the new meds

Trying & Caring · Apr 09, 2011 at 10:39 PM

I have been on bipolar meds & Concerta for ADHD for 25 years & still need to take Provigil (non-addicting stimulant) in order to function every day (have excessive daytime sleepiness). Don't feel jittery--feel "normal" energy. Tried to not take them & couldn't get out of bed & actually felt disoriented!

Merlin · Apr 10, 2011 at 04:32 AM

There are people with non-"bouncy" ADD with just the distraction. There is definitely some co-morbidity between bipolar and ADD. I second the concern over being on a stimulant without a mood stabilizer though. I hope you find something that works for you.

sugahorse1 · Apr 11, 2011 at 02:50 AM

I believe Wellbutrin is a stimulating anti-dep. So I take that and Lamictin.
Don't think I've seen enough benefit from Concerta in the 2 weeks, to bother carrying on.
It costs me $80/month; not cool!

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ladyjrnlist Poohbah Member Since Oct 2010 Location: In Your Face Posts: 1,104 13 2 hugs given	Apr 01, 2011 at 08:35 AM #4 You did tell pdoc about some concerns that you thought were side effects of Wellbutrin, right? Maybe he/she is just seeking an alternative for that? __________________
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sugahorse1 Upwards and Onwards! Member Since Mar 2010 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 7,878 14 309 hugs given	Apr 01, 2011 at 08:51 AM #5 Yes, that is what it think. So I'm ok with trying this Concerta, and of course I'll be happy if it's the answer I've been looking for
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sugahorse1 Upwards and Onwards! Member Since Mar 2010 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 7,878 14 309 hugs given	Apr 01, 2011 at 10:21 AM #7 Ok, so what side effects am I supposed to be weary of? I take Wellbutrin as a stimulant, and it works well for me. I was also too depressed to do anything, and had sui thoughts - the Wellbutrin has stopped all of that. But now my head feels fuzzy, I forget things, I do 5 things at once and never get anything done...
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crzyladee Member Member Since Sep 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 78 13	Apr 01, 2011 at 02:09 PM #9 I went through this 2 doctors ago. Was on lithium, wellbutrin haldol and adderall. It worked well for me at the time. __________________ ~Crzyladee~ I'd rather be crazy and interesting than normal and boring.
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sugahorse1 Upwards and Onwards! Member Since Mar 2010 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 7,878 14 309 hugs given	Apr 05, 2011 at 04:28 AM #15 I used to track moods and I cycled weekly. Now I'm a lot more level. I don't think it's ADHD-i don't 'bounce'. Not feeling much different I think, but I'm doing ok-day 3 of the new meds
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Trying & Caring Member Member Since Jun 2009 Posts: 248 14	Apr 09, 2011 at 10:39 PM #16 I have been on bipolar meds & Concerta for ADHD for 25 years & still need to take Provigil (non-addicting stimulant) in order to function every day (have excessive daytime sleepiness). Don't feel jittery--feel "normal" energy. Tried to not take them & couldn't get out of bed & actually felt disoriented!
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sugahorse1 Upwards and Onwards! Member Since Mar 2010 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 7,878 14 309 hugs given	Apr 11, 2011 at 02:50 AM #18 I believe Wellbutrin is a stimulating anti-dep. So I take that and Lamictin. Don't think I've seen enough benefit from Concerta in the 2 weeks, to bother carrying on. It costs me $80/month; not cool!
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