Can't accept I'm bipolar (why?)

I went to my pdoc on Friday and I debated with her on this bipolar thing. Told her my therapist days she thinks I'm not bipolar. I asked if she thinks I can go without meds. She responded "I'm the professional, and you are definitely bipolar". She wants to keep me on lamictal 250 mg and Wellbutrin XL 300 mg daily. I'm
Frustrated cuz I can't remember what it's like not to feel "drugged". The weight piles in since Lamictal. I have hardly any emotion. Dies anyone feel emotionless like me? Its been 1 1/2 yrs wirh this and I'm so distraught wirh it all

Sorry for so many typos.

Oh and I didn't take the 50 mg today. Only 200 lamictal cuz I just don't want to. Am I being stupid?

I feel that going over 200 mg Lamictal is not safe.

http://www.drugs.com/dosage/lamictal.html concurs with me: doses above 200 mg are not recommended. There is no added benefit in going over 200 mg. I would switch a doctor because you are treated inadequately. Emotionless is bad - look for a better treatment. Plus, not dosing correctly. Make a switch!

Thanks Hamster Bamster. I've had this gut feeling that something is "wrong". I agree with you 100%. I'm seeing my GP tomorrow for a second opinion. I can't go to a dif pdoc cuz of insurance i need toI have a definite reason to switch pdocs first. So taking babysteps. Now I don't always feel emotionless. I do laugh alot. But many times feel "dull". Do you think its it normal to switch on that? I do laugh alot and try to hall it up to the concoction i take

I checked out your site on lamictal. I don't know why I can't find the "dosage" amount that's acceptable.

Laughing is wonderful!

Check to see if you can find some proof that FDA-approved max dose is 200 mg. Going over it would then be a valid reason for wanting to switch to another p-doc. I do not mean to say that it is always necessary to go by the FDA rules - my very good former p-doc temporarily placed me on 180 mg Geodon, which is 20 mg over the FDA-approved max, but she had reasons for it and there is evidence that Geodon is actually safe in doses much higher than the FDA-approved dose. With Lamictal, there is no such evidence. So I think you will have a case before your insurance company.

Are there drs that OD patients? That's why I'm seeing a dif DR tomor. So concerned

Psycho-trophs are still in the infancy stage, really, there are so much we (and dr.s) just dont know about them. I dont think a dr would over presc on purpose, but I've followed this thread all the way thru and I really think you need a 2nd opinion! I am assuming ur a recent dx (correct?) I cant for the life of me imagine why a dr would start you at such a high level!

Lol omg I have so many typos tonight. I apologize. Yikes. Ill see what my GP
Recommends tomor. He's the one who recommended a pdoc. He said I was BP and did referral. I
Chose Pdoc cuz she's supposedly the best around but who the heck knows. I just know I have med bottles I overflowing in my cabinet.

MommaR I'm so new at this. What's a DX. I know I'm clueless.

DX=diagnosis
AD=antidepressant
AP=anti-psychotic
MS=mood stabilizer

MommaR I titrated up to 200 through 1 1/2 yrs. dr wants me in 250 but don't want above 200. 2nd opinion tomor from GP. Wondering if he recommends a new pdoc. Like her alot and been wirh get for 2 yrs. she recommended Lamictal after many mood swings on Wellbutrin

Ooooh DX is diagnosis!! Thanks hamster. Diagnosed about 2 yrs ago.

They wont overdose you on purpose, but they may use lack of judgment. Being over medicated with psych drugs is very common. My pdoc had me on 2 mood stabilizers, 3 antipsychotics, and benzo's all at the same time. He raised my zyprexa dose above the max dose at this time and I am a very small person. Talk about zombies.... No I couldn't cause I could not even talk by that point anymore.

Do what feels comfortable for you. If you think the dose is too high, bring it up. If you dont want to take a certain med, than make your case to your dr. It's your body, and you have to advocate for yourself.

She might be the professional, but she didn't behave like one with that response. You know your body and mind best. Don't let someone tell you otherwise, wether they have a degree or not. You are the only one with a degree on yourself.

Sorry and i'm not trying to sound harsh, just they don't always make the best choices for us. I had a pdoc I really loved, but we didn't always agree on treatment. Maybe your pdoc could have expanded her answer about why she feels your therapist is wrong.

Don't worry about typos, I use my phone half the time and have lots and lots of typos.

can you change out the lamictal? i felt like a zombie on it and at a low dose... we're just all so different with the meds. It was the first ms i tried, i remember telling my doctor with my crazy eyes, " I have zero sex drive!" rofl... she knows i don't like that... so she said ok, let's go off of that right away. she wanted to give me something else ..

but i walked away from treatment for almost a year, came back eventually to her all depressed like a pupple with my tail between my legs. i think it took me at least that year or more to come to terms with the bp dx, it's a lot to process, still processing.

a pupple??? you know i meant puppy right??? omg, i'm not stoned i promise :P

I agree, she is treating your horribly. LIke bad parenting. "because I said so". "I am the professional" hints on hierarchy (I have degree, you are crazy, take your pills and STFU). Professional would explain symptoms and best treatment and all that. Professional would ask the patient for opinion and for what they want of treatment.


yes, I know I hate doctors.... but you would let any other doctor treat you this way? LIke a lower on the social ladder?

If you feel drugged... Then you deff are not on the right medications.... You shouldn't feel drugged at any time while on meds..... You need to look into the dosage ....

Blue inanna. You're do funny yup sure knew you had a puppy. Not a pupple today's day with these autocorrects and tiny phone screens, weve become adapted to just knowing what typo language is. Lol.

Thanks for great advice. My pdoc has discussed taking me off of lamictal but so fat it's the ONLY one that had side effects most tolerable. Abilify made me VERY irritable. Depakote had me in exhausted LA LA Land. Cymbalta I had restless legs all day. Effexor restless legs. Paxil restless legs and non orgasmic. Lexapro was non orgasmic. Celexa was restless legs. Zoloft should be called zzzzzzoloft cuz I just wanted to sleep. Serzone made me sleepy and eyes would "cross". I swear so many meds I'm sensitive to. Lamictal is only one I'm somewhat tolerant of. Sigh......is there a good med out there?

I think there are a lot of good meds out there like zoloft, I got past the tiredness and its now a great medication for me and i dont know what I would do without it. Sometimes you just have to give them a couple weeks to a month to get used to and I know thats hard if you have a job to be at everyday. I sure hope you find what you need soon.