Pdoc says he's reconsidering my BPII dx. And aye, aye, I don't care!

My newest podc said over the phone today that he's reconsidering my orginal dx. Bottom line the current combo of Celexa and Seroquel is working right now. I give absolutely zero shits what my dx is, as long I feel good (or at least not bad).

I never got extensive testing. My original dx, through the VA, was 5 years, 2 pdoc's, about a million bottles of booze, one trip to rehab and 8 months (give or take) of sobriety ago. I guess the pdoc that told me I have BPII and gave me Celexa and Abilify (which I only took for about 3 weeks and then quit, returning to my boozy self medication for a couple more years), never entered a dx of BPII in the system. New pdoc wants to do more testing. I said no problem, as long as, regardless of what those tests say, we don't change anything as long I'm feeling okay. He assured me that was his intent, but wanted more info in case they stop working.

I didn't think I liked this pdoc, but I respect this. I think my early dislike might be partly from just how ****** the VA system is. It's tough for me talking to him through a TV screen, so it must be equally tough for him to get it right through a TV.

It's a whole new world I guess...

I'm glad that your pdoc is willing to investigate more and he may find a better group of meds just incase.

It sounds like you are doing well, lbe. Having a good pdoc is important. Like you, I don't care about dx's. Over my years, mine has changed at least 3 times. As long as meds and therapy work so I can function, I am happy.
Bluemountains

It's near to impossible to put us bipolars into any box and that includes diagnosis. I have been dxed with several different bipolar types and recently bipolar 1 due to a full blown mania with psychosis. Bipolar illness can look like cyclothymia, depression, dysthymia, ADHD, borderline personality, drug or alcohol addiction or abuse so that it is hard for pdocs to just make a dx the first go round. I personally think it takes months of working with one Pdoc to see the patterns to correctly dx. Although my last Pdoc told me he could tell instantly when a patient was bipolar because they resembled each other so closely. So what do I know?!

Yes, dx is a fuzzy business and most pdocs I've been to don't pay a lot of attention to it. It's just Bipolar.

I would not think the dr would take you off the meds that are working. Whatever about the label...the important thing is you are better on these meds. I hear ya!

Like bluewave, I think bipolar disorder is a very difficult diagnosis to make --as it can mimic so many other disorders and much of history-taking depends on one's own perception of one's moods, and the issue of situational vs episodic I think depends a good deal on the person's ability to recognize when they are reacting to something in the environment or not, and this can be very difficult. I think the depression aspect of it is relatively easier to figure out (except the issue of situational vs not) but it's the hypomania that is super tricky.

I really respect psychiatrists who take some time to make this determination. It can have huge implications, especially when it comes to medications, and also, I believe, on meaning, self-concept, identity. And at the end of the day, if you're mistakenly diagnosed as bipolar, I think there's the danger of seeing all (or most) moods and behavior as falling out of the sky, and this can prevent exploring the reasons behind mood and behavior and making efforts to change them, cope, etc. (not that people with bipolar disorder couldn't benefit a good deal from doing this as well).

Although I already had a diagnosis from my pdoc in another state, when I moved to the city where I live now, my new pdoc wanted to make his own determination, and only diagnosed me after witnessing a manic episode himself. I really do respect my current pdoc for taking the time to get to know me before making the diagnosis.

It took some time for my pdoc in the other city to make the diagnosis as well. My personal opinion is that this cannot reasonably be diagnosed in one visit. But that's me.

I want to take medications that help me, regardless of diagnosis, but I certainly don't want to be on hugely strong meds with their side effects (short and long-term) without very good reason. It's a risks vs benefits issue, in part, and diagnosis has helped -and least me- make those kinds of decisions for myself (in conjunction with my pdoc).