[HALLIEBETH87]

I was just wondering how long it was before you guys were diagnosed with BPD. And, how you were tested or whatever.

[DaveyJones]

It was about 8 years for me...I was treated for depression. I think my pdoc started to suspect, she put me on Lamictal along with a boatload of AD's. It wasn't until I was hospitalized that I was put on lithium--a lot. I couldn't get my pdoc to commit to a diagnosis, though. It wasn't until I went to another clinic that they gave me a dx of bipolar...they took my history and gave me screening test, one of those links I gave you a while back. They took me off the AD's and felt worlds better almost immediately.

If you're mainly depressed and haven't had any clear manic episodes many docs won't dx bipolar, especially after a relatively short time. Some clues--do you have a family history of bipolar? When you first start taking a new antidepressant, do you feel REALLY GOOD shortly thereafter? AD's can make you feel manic or hypomanic if you're bipolar.

These long times until a proper dx are very common--2 to 10 years is very common.

Hope things are well with you...wishing you the best!

DJ

[HALLIEBETH87]

whenever i start a new ad i immediately feel better. when i was in a hospital and they switched me from zoloft (stopped working, obviously) to wellbutrin xl i was a completely different person in like 2 days. i went from silence/sitting in the dark and such to joking 24/7 with other patients and coloring and i was hardcore active. they asked me a lot about bipolar while i was there, but i didn't really specify too much about what was going on because all i wanted was to go home...i didnt want to give them any reasons to keep me any longer. in the end, i was there for 5 1/2 days...long enough for me.

About 35 yrs. before I was correctly diagnosed! I was going to GP's & not psychiatrists. Finally I switched to an internal medicine doc & she said I don't think you have regular depression, but bipolar, cuz I was in a mixed state--very agitated & depressed. She had a relative with bipolar & knew a lot about it. Plus my mother was bipolar (that should have given the GP's a clue!). I also reacted "very well" to AD's for about 6 weeks--I felt great, started joining every group there was & basically thought, wow, I'm no longer depressed & this is FANTASTIC. Then it would poop out, back to GP who would increase dose or try another AD on me. I think I've been on them all. Find a competent psychiatrist who knows something about bp! Don't end up like me, suffering for so many yrs.--Suzy

[biplol]

It was a month ago. My husband one day asked me..."What am I supposed to do today? Do you want to retrieve to your cave or do you want to have a party?..."
That throwed me trhu a loop, because I coulnd't say anyhting; he was right.
One day I wast totally Isolated adn the next I called all my friends, not many, I managed to push people away all these years.
So I did some research, i came across PC, I saw my symptoms clear as water and I went to a T; he referred me to a psychiatrist.
I actually started taking my meds this week, so you can imagine, this is still pretty new and overwhelming to me, even though (not diagnosed) but I can see the same symptoms in my mother and my brother and wiht the doc we've got to the point that is really clear that I've been bipolar all my life, I thought I was only depressed, but, you know, nothing better than finding the loss senses in your life at 33!!!!

[HALLIEBETH87]

i understand the AD concept well. like I said, they worked quite well (and prety much instantly) when I started them, but then would just quit so I kept getting higher doseages until I am at the highest and I pretty much figure its just all in my head (lol) and I stopped trying to get to the bottom of it all. Now that I am away at school, things are worse and my friends are pointing more things out to me. So, I guess in the end I should muster up all the courage I have and go to the consultation interview and just spill....100% truth. What I do, how I act, how I feel, how I react to those feelings and what my bipolar have stated about me. Yep....hope I can do it. Its easy to talk about it.

Plus I went to one psychiatrist who prescribed Depakote. That worked for the agitation but did nothing for the depression. He refused to change me "because I wasn't hearing any special messages from the radio or tv just for me"--when that was never a part of my symptoms. I had delusions all right, but not those! So I "fired" him & had to search out for someone else who was willing to work with me & change meds if I wasn't getting a good enough quality of life--someone recovery based--not just to sedate me so I couldn't act out! Found lots of help through support groups.--Suzy

[DaveyJones]

Halliebeth,

I believe that a reaction to AD's like you describe is a strong indication that you may be bipolar...it's what happened to me when I would start a new med. I would feel flippin" GREAT the next day after starting one...and as I felt worse the dosage would go up...I finally wound up in the hospital...even after I got out I was still on AD's...it took another 5 months to get off them completely.

Anyway, do go to your consult, tell them everything you can think of...you may want to write stuff down so you don't forget.

It's amazing to me that we all see the relationship between AD's & bipolar mania or hypo mania (Love that phrase--felt flippin good--I sure did--you should have seen my aggressive tennis game on AD's!) but docs, esp. GP's don't know that. Where is the continuing education for these guys? You need to get with someone who is up on the LATEST info. in regards to drugs.--Suzy

[HALLIEBETH87]

My appointment is the 13th....I really just wanna get it over with already.

[Sher]

My diagnosis came at the age of 35 , in the hospital after a severe manic episode. But my main struggle is not with the mania but with depression. Perhaps that is why it took soo long for a diagnosis. I can look back at my life and see peroids of time when I suffered with depression, and about 3 maybe or 4 hypomanic episodes. I think that the range of bipolar is quite large . It is different for everyone I talk to with this disorder.
For me the best course of action was to find out as much as I could about the disorder and to involve my family in my treatment. They observe different behaviors than I can see in myself. In the begining I went to the Pdoc with my husband or my stepmother so they could input the things I didnt see. Together we have been able to get the best care for me . Right now I am on a depressant and a mood stabilizer and I am quite healthy .
When you go the your appt. it is best to be totaly honest about your behaivior. It is quite embarassing to tell your doctor you are drinking more than usual or that your very sexual right now or that you have overdrawn your checking account 3 times in the last 2 months because of needless spending.(or whatever is true for you ) however this gives your Pdoc the information he needs to treat you acurately.
Good luck to you and take care of yourself.
Sher

[HALLIEBETH87]

thanks

[Sher]

Thank you Halliebeth. To know that all this crap I go through helps someone else is a great comfort. All is not in vain. Take care
Sher