[ggtina]

Today I was officially diagnosed with Bipolar 2 disorder. I new the diagnosis was coming but it still completely shocked me. I really don't know what to expect even with all the research I have done in the past.

Back in December of last year I was diagnosed with a general mood disorder. Previous to that I was also diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder & Depression.

My psychiatrist want's to lower my zoloft intake and has decreased it from 200mg to 150mg. In two weeks she wants it to decrease it further down to 100mg. The Abilify she increased to 10mg as I have been accidentally taking that dose for 6 weeks now (didn't realize i needed to cut the pill in half). She did mention something about 30mg but I don't know if she meant that as the max dosage or what her goal was for that.

She also enrolled me into a substance abuse program as in December I was in a rehab facility and she feels as though I need more after care which I agree. I really don't want to go back to alcohol as a coping mechanism. Was using it to self medicate because it made me feel better.

So if I understood my psychiatrist correctly not only do I have Bi-Polar II, I still suffer from Depression but she thinks it could of been caused by the Zoloft entirely as the two time's I have been severely suicidal I was only taking Zoloft. Wish I asked her about the Borderline Personality Disorder but to be honest with ya'll everything I have read on Borderline Personality Disorder has not matched closely at all to what I am going through. There is still a possibility of a duel diagnosis but I am going to ask her when I see her in 2 weeks.

Ok, I am done rambling I am going to go read other's people's post's and do some more research. Any input/personal experience would be greatly appreciated.

[bluemountains]

I was diagnosed about 6 months ago bipolar II, and I had been okay with it until I actually saw where the diagnosis was written down. Somehow, the words in print made it so official and permanent. For me, I am not sure what mood to expect each day. Today I am depressed, sometimes I am hypomanic, and sometimes a mixed state, which for me is an agitated state.
My pdoc replaced zoloft with wellbutrin and abilify with lamictal. I also take klonopin.
Bluemountains

[BipolaRNurse]

I suspected for years that I was bipolar, but it was another thing entirely to have it confirmed by a psychiatrist and then to see it written in my medical record. Quite the reality check, that.

[Anneinside]

I have been on 30mg Abilify in the past and my pdoc said that was as high as she would go... I think it is the maximum dose. At 30 mg I got akathisia (movement disorder) and slowly dropped down to 7.5 mg and back up to 10mg along with adding propranolol to stop the akathisia and still be able to have abilify.

[BlackPup]

Welcome to the BP club!!! The depression is pretty much covered by the BP diagnosis and while you can have a dual diagnosis of BP and BPD you may find that the BPD was a misdiagnosis for the BP, I say this because you said that you didn't really fit the BPD and they can be tricky to tell apart. I wish you luck in you journey and hope the doctors can get your meds sorted quickly and you can find some stability really soon.
Take it easy on yourself, it's hard to come to terms with the diagnosis even if you were expecting it

[ggtina]

Originally Posted by bluemountains

I was diagnosed about 6 months ago bipolar II, and I had been okay with it until I actually saw where the diagnosis was written down. Somehow, the words in print made it so official and permanent. For me, I am not sure what mood to expect each day. Today I am depressed, sometimes I am hypomanic, and sometimes a mixed state, which for me is an agitated state.
My pdoc replaced zoloft with wellbutrin and abilify with lamictal. I also take klonopin.
Bluemountains

I imagine so ... I hope it's not another punch to the chest when I see it written down someday. It just feels so real right now that I can't imagine it getting worse.

Today I have been extremely agitated. Went to an AA meeting thinking that would help. Got there late which made me really annoyed.

I think my pdoc is ok with the meds I am on just not the dosages guess will see in time what she does with it.

I'm planning on keeping a mood journal to see if that helps her any

[ggtina]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

I suspected for years that I was bipolar, but it was another thing entirely to have it confirmed by a psychiatrist and then to see it written in my medical record. Quite the reality check, that.

Yes it is! I am thankful that you understand what I am going through makes it easier to know other people have felt the same way. Makes it a little more tolerable.

[ggtina]

Originally Posted by Anneinside

I have been on 30mg Abilify in the past and my pdoc said that was as high as she would go... I think it is the maximum dose. At 30 mg I got akathisia (movement disorder) and slowly dropped down to 7.5 mg and back up to 10mg along with adding propranolol to stop the akathisia and still be able to have abilify.

Thank you My friend and I were talking about akathisia last night after I told him that my pdoc said I had bipolar II. I couldn't remember the technical term but I was telling him about all the questions the pdoc asks me at each appointment regarding muscle movement, soreness, tingling ...

[ggtina]

Originally Posted by BlackPup

Welcome to the BP club!!! The depression is pretty much covered by the BP diagnosis and while you can have a dual diagnosis of BP and BPD you may find that the BPD was a misdiagnosis for the BP, I say this because you said that you didn't really fit the BPD and they can be tricky to tell apart. I wish you luck in you journey and hope the doctors can get your meds sorted quickly and you can find some stability really soon.
Take it easy on yourself, it's hard to come to terms with the diagnosis even if you were expecting it

Thank you so much

I will definatly talk to her about the BPD on the 30th when I see my pdoc again.