[grlnmt66]

that I can acctually afford (because I dont have insurance and its for lower income ppl...they charge on a sliding scale) So she thinks Im just depressed and prescribed Prozac...I guess time will tell..If it throws me into mania than I am (not taking a mood stabilizer)...if it doesnt then Im not. Either way I feel a bit like a "test" rat. =/

Reaction isn't always good way to tell. There is medication induced mood disorder or bipolar which is not actual bipolar, it will stop when the medication is stopped and not return. Then there are bipolars who do not get manic from antidepressants or not every time. The symptoms you experience are the bigger indicator especially when unmedicated.

I'm sorry your new dr is not in agreement. Were you previously diagnosed? Sorry I can't remember at the moment. I hope the Prozac will help you.

And sorry, I know that's a frustrating response when you want and need answers. I wish there was a test, that could give us definates.

[cocoabeans]

Hey, mood stabilizers suck let alone bipolar despite anyone's "positive thinking". Count yourself lucky if she's right.

[cocoabeans]

Oh, and we're all rats when it comes to psych drugs. Doc picks one he likes, it fails, take another shot in the dark. Eventually you're choosing your own dosages because no one really knows what they're doing. It is whatever you feel.

[grlnmt66]

@Anika~ Yes...old Dr. diagnosed me as cyclothymiac but I was reluctant to start meds...New docs diagnosis is mild depression, dysthymia...and says that cyclthymia really isnt BP...and that the symptoms Im showing are subtle and BP isnt subtle..So..now Im confused..good grief. =/

[grlnmt66]

@ cocoabeans~ I will count myself lucky...But what about the mood swings?!

[BipolaRNurse]

Originally Posted by grlnmt66

that I can acctually afford (because I dont have insurance and its for lower income ppl...they charge on a sliding scale) So she thinks Im just depressed and prescribed Prozac...I guess time will tell..If it throws me into mania than I am (not taking a mood stabilizer)...if it doesnt then Im not. Either way I feel a bit like a "test" rat. =/

FWIW, not all patients get a firm diagnosis on their first visit. Sometimes a pdoc will give a provisional dx, or none at all, until they get to know you and your behavioral patterns a little better.

My pdoc wasn't even totally convinced I was BP at my first session, either, but dx'd me with BP-NOS because it sounded like I was, but there wasn't enough information to pinpoint it. Now, of course, there's no question of whether I'm bipolar or not, but we're still in the process of figuring out the degree of bipolarity. Technically, I believe I'll wind up with a dx of BP II, but there are some features of BP I as well. But for now, NOS covers the whole spectrum.

Your depression dx may very well turn out to be correct, and you would be better off not messing around with mood stabilizers, which are pretty heavy hitters. The risk, of course, is that the Prozac might flip you into mania......but don't assume you're NOT bipolar if it doesn't. I took Paxil for years before it stopped working, then tried Prozac, and finally Wellbutrin. THAT was the drug that threw me into my first-ever mixed episode and turned me into an insane, raging biatch.

Still thinking I was merely depressed, I called my internist, who prescribed me a small dose of Celexa on the condition that I follow up with a psych consult. I told him I wasn't crazy. He didn't care---he thought I had a "serious problem" and wasn't going to treat me for the wrong condition. I think this is where your new doctor is at, and it may take a few more visits before she's comfortable making a definitive diagnosis.

Hope that helps.

[grlnmt66]

@BipolaRNurse~ This has helped...After some consideration, Im glad that she isnt "jumping the gun" and diagnosing me with cyclothymia...It may have have turned out to have been a blessing to have changed GPs...THANKS! =]

[grlnmt66]

@ BipolaRNurse~ ALSO...what if Im not cyclothymiac and my old GP put me on mood stabilizers and antidepressants?! Wouldnt that have messed me up?! THATS A SCARY THOUGHT!

[BipolaRNurse]

Oh, I see you have a new general practitioner, not a pdoc. All the more reason for her to be very conservative in evaluating a patient with psych issues. The downside is, when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail, and the average GP simply doesn't have the specialized training to deal with the grey areas in psychiatry. That said, I hope you'll continue to monitor your moods---start a mood diary if you haven't already---and keep track of them over a long period of time (at least 3-6 months) to show your doctor at your appointments. In the meantime, stick around....we'll support you even if you turn out NOT to be BP/cyclothymic or whatever.

[grlnmt66]

@ BipolaRNurse~ ~Thanks..I can use all the support I can get! (((hugs)))

[grlnmt66]

I dont have have insurance. The local Mental Health Center isnt taking any new patients because the are understaffed at the moment. The local pdocs wont see u without cash up front...300-400.00.(assuming this is customary) I am going to put in for assistance so I can get into a pdoc. IT SUCKS to have mental health issues and not have either insurance or money.