[missmorganxo]

I was diagnosed with Bipolar a month or two ago. They aren't sure, but think it's possibly Bipolar 2. I just went to see a pyschiatrist for medication last week and she was awful, but anyway; she put me on 900mg of lithium a day...and THAT'S IT.

She was condescending and basically acted like I was insane. She was referred to me by my psychologist so... I'm putting up with her.
(My aunt and sister saw her in the past and hated her, so I know not to take it personally)

I haven't slept in four days. I'm serious, not at all. And I have panic attacks multiple times a week that are incapacitating. (Like, go to the ER because I think I'm dying incapacitating) I told her about all of this, and she didn't give me sleeping/anxiety pills.

I also hallucinate (see things/hear things) almost everyday and she didn't give me anything for that and kind of shrugged it off.

I see her again this week. Did your doctor start you out on one medication and then introduce you to knew ones each appointment? Or did they start you out on like multiple ones immediately? I'm just worried, because I don't feel like the lithium is helping with my sleep, anxiety or hallucinations at all.

I just feel like my mind is slightly slowed down, but that's it. Helpppp?

[Tsunamisurfer]

Originally Posted by missmorganxo

I was diagnosed with Bipolar a month or two ago. They aren't sure, but think it's possibly Bipolar 2. I just went to see a pyschiatrist for medication last week and she was awful, but anyway; she put me on 900mg of lithium a day...and THAT'S IT....

... I also hallucinate (see things/hear things) almost everyday and she didn't give me anything for that and kind of shrugged it off.

... I see her again this week. Did your doctor start you out on one medication and then introduce you to knew ones each appointment? Or did they start you out on like multiple ones immediately? I'm just worried, because I don't feel like the lithium is helping with my sleep, anxiety or hallucinations at all.

I just feel like my mind is slightly slowed down, but that's it. Helpppp?

missmorganxo, I'm really sorry you are having such a horrible time and introduction to psychiatry. Sadly, many "professionals" lack compassion and respect for those who suffer. When we are manic or experiencing psychotic crises, we are particularly sensitive to such insensitivity.

Lithium isn't known to pull people rapidly out of a manic episode, but it is a very good long term treatment for people who swing to the extremes in Bipolar. If you can make it through the episode without going onto antipsychotics, you will have avoided dependence on some seriously brain altering substances. But many people once in an acute episode will respond most rapidly to neuroleptic drugs and not much else.

If you are able, see if you can find a good psychiatrist who is known to be more compassionate.

I hope you manage to get some sleep soon, and overcome this traumatising experience.

Peter

[Forgive77]

In my blog I write about medications, and I have another post about finding Psychiatrists, and Psychologists. I write about my ten billion experiences. Hope it helps you. xoxo

[Chompers]

My current psych nurse likes to start with my mood stabilizer & get that right before she starts adding in things. She did give me something for sleeping previously, though sleeping pills never work for me. More recently I was able to plead my case for a prn fast acting anxiety med, which I was given & thankfully actually lets me put my brain to sleep on those nights it starts spinning out of control, yay.

But other places I have been did start me on multiple meds.

IMHO, if she's hateful find someone else if you can. Having a good rapport with your psych/therapist is so important. I have had some with & some without, & when it clicks it makes a world of difference. Even if I am still a crappy patient

[Secretum]

Unfortunately, there are a lot of bad pdocs in the world. Some just don't care. Many of them carelessly throw meds at people; yours seems to be erring on the opposite side.

There are advantages to not being on high doses of multiple meds. I'm only on two medications, and while I often feel like I'm still unstable, part of me is grateful that I don't have to pay for more, or worry more about interactions and side effects. I am starting to get to the point where I might come straight out and ask for a better cocktail, however...

My pdoc did initially start me on just one medication; he added the antidepressant later when he saw how bad my depressions can be.

[roads]

Dear missmorgan,

I'm very sympathetic, so let me get the blunt part out of the way first. Why, if your aunt & sister went to this Dr. Ladeedah & hated her, did you go to her?

Getting our meds right is the most important issue in the bipolar life, once we've accepted our diagnosis, IMO. Our BFF in this is our pdoc. Get a new pdoc. Seriously.

I understand that may sound flippant, but I say it knowing how crucial these early days in your diagnosis are. Drugs used to manage bipolar disorder often bring along side effects, and we cannot afford to passively allow lazy pdocs to just throw drugs randomly at us until one of them works "well enough." Drugs are cumulative in our systems. And lithium is not the first drug of choice for bipolar II. One of the mood stabilizers traditionally would have been used first, and everything begun at low levels to test your tolerance.

Pschiatrists all know, or have access to, the necessary facts. Go out & get yourself someone who will pay attention & hear you & treat you as an equal, not a low-functioning lab rat.

missmorgan. Welcome to our world! It can be pretty okay, honest .

[hamster-bamster]

The trouble with psychiatrists is that even now, in the world of reviews, consumers shy away from posting their accounts of working with a psychiatrist (although I do not). You are in VA. I took a random city in VA and went to Yelp. 8 psychiatrists only, and none reviewed. http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc...+virginia&ns=1 But put in your real city and maybe someone will pop up with favorable reviews. There are also other sites that review strictly doctors. They do not have the high usability and fun component of Yelp, but hey as long as you get some information, go there. I would say that the most important part is to stay away from the most horrible doctors - a neutral one is OK. I am currently dealing with a fee arbitration dispute with a lawyer who used me as a cash cow and did not produce anything helpful; I googled him (after the fact) and found only one single review online and it painted him horribly. Had I looked before hiring him - basically, had I done my due diligence - I would not have to spend time preparing my case for arbitration now. But with psychiatrists, it is much more than money. It is your life. So find a way to find a decent p-doc. One unusual but possibly effective way is to ask your pharmacist, if you know him or her in person. The pharmacist might know doctors who are careful, vigilant prescribers.

Bipolar II dx with hallucinations ? I would really definately see someone else. Psychosis present would be a Bipolar I dx not II. I know you said she dismissed the psychosis like no big deal. it's a big deal and distressing to the one experiencing it.

[blossom12]

I echo all of the above and add that you HAVE to be your own advocate.
You have clearly articulated how you feel here and it is critical to state it to the pdoc and check in to let them know how you are feeling. It is true it takes time for the meds to work, but it is not acceptable, or safe, to be having hallucinations, panic attacks, and not sleeping. All are clear signs the med is not doing it's job.

If this pdoc won't listen, I urge you to find another one, but in the meatime, I would bug the doc, letting her know how you are feeling.

[missmorganxo]

Thank you, guys. I appeciate your help.

[tattedmommy75]

Originally Posted by missmorganxo

I was diagnosed with Bipolar a month or two ago. They aren't sure, but think it's possibly Bipolar 2. I just went to see a pyschiatrist for medication last week and she was awful, but anyway; she put me on 900mg of lithium a day...and THAT'S IT.

She was condescending and basically acted like I was insane. She was referred to me by my psychologist so... I'm putting up with her.
(My aunt and sister saw her in the past and hated her, so I know not to take it personally)

I haven't slept in four days. I'm serious, not at all. And I have panic attacks multiple times a week that are incapacitating. (Like, go to the ER because I think I'm dying incapacitating) I told her about all of this, and she didn't give me sleeping/anxiety pills.

I also hallucinate (see things/hear things) almost everyday and she didn't give me anything for that and kind of shrugged it off.

I see her again this week. Did your doctor start you out on one medication and then introduce you to knew ones each appointment? Or did they start you out on like multiple ones immediately? I'm just worried, because I don't feel like the lithium is helping with my sleep, anxiety or hallucinations at all.

I just feel like my mind is slightly slowed down, but that's it. Helpppp?

I've seen several psychiatrists and finally have one I trust. In my opinion, before you commit to the medication game (experimenting with meds until you find what works) you MUST have a doc you trust. This doc doesn't need to have the perfect personality; you just need to trust their judgement and with your life in their hands. Remember they aren't gods, but just educated humans.

One of my first pdocs started me on lithium only for Bipolar type 1. It works to stabilize mood but it doesn't treat hallucinations. Personally, I didn't like it. I felt like a robot, too flat of an affect, and I gained a lot of weight. But it did keep me from going up and down. I was on the dose you are.

The doc I see now does start one med at a time. This is because any reactions need to be singled out. If they throw you on a bunch of meds and you get anxiety or a bad side effect, he/she won't know which drug caused it. The medication regiment I take now works great for me. It also works well for my sister. Seroquel (antipsychotic for hallucinations and delusions) with Lamotrigine (Lamictal for mood stabilization) is a great combo. It's becoming popular because they work well together and Lamotragine has little side effects that are minor.

I tend to have anxiety with depression so when my depression is properly treated it's gone. But when it temporarily shows its face, he gives me an antianxiey med. These tend to be narcotic (addictive) so it really isn't best to permanently take it. Antidepressants can ease your anxiety long term but you have to watch for a trigger to mania.

It can take awhile to find what works and the dosage too. Make your priority to find a pdoc you trust then start experimenting with meds.

[tattedmommy75]

Originally Posted by Chompers

My current psych nurse likes to start with my mood stabilizer & get that right before she starts adding in things. She did give me something for sleeping previously, though sleeping pills never work for me. More recently I was able to plead my case for a prn fast acting anxiety med, which I was given & thankfully actually lets me put my brain to sleep on those nights it starts spinning out of control, yay.

But other places I have been did start me on multiple meds.

IMHO, if she's hateful find someone else if you can. Having a good rapport with your psych/therapist is so important. I have had some with & some without, & when it clicks it makes a world of difference. Even if I am still a crappy patient

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