[WibblyWobbly]

I am hypomanic right now and I'm afraid to tell me doctor at my next appointment. For many years I have been in a fog from fibro and depression. My only bright spots of clarity and alertness seem to be when I'm hypomanic. (Of course, full mania and mixed states are another story.) I know he will ask if I've been "up" and I don't want any med changes. Have you ever hidden episodes from your pdoc, and looking back, do you have any regrets?

[CopperStar]

I don't mention anything but problems to my pdoc. If it's not a problem, then I don't mention it. If I experienced hypomania and it was basically just me having plenty of energy and other positives, then I would just say I have been doing really well and leave it at that.

[touched by fire]

I try to be as truthful as I can be. This is someone I don't see outside of that room.. it's similar to being able to post anonymously on the web. If anything, I water down my depression more than the mania.

Yes, I'm pretty honest. Otherwise I'd be shooting myself in the foot. But my pdoc isn't one to overreact. If it is just a small change, he just reminds me what to look for and to call him in those cases.

[CopperStar]

Originally Posted by touched by fire

I try to be as truthful as I can be. This is someone I don't see outside of that room.. it's similar to being able to post anonymously on the web. If anything, I water down my depression more than the mania.

Where I think it could get tricky is if you are feeling really well, but the pdoc sees it as a "problem" because it could be "hypomania" and then wants to medicate all that energy and those good vibes away. This is why if I could actually experience hypomania and it wasn't causing any problems, I would not say, "I think I am hypomanic". I would just say that I have been doing really well.

[~Christina]

Yes I am honest. I can relate with the Fibro stuff..I had some good hypo tmes recently that didnt automaticaly turn to into a hellish mania.

I have a huge amount of self awareness and I have a safety plan, If it starts to turn ugly and I cant manage on my own I have PRN Ap's I can take.

[SillyKitty]

I'm always honest. My pdoc always asks me if I'm comfortable changing meds even though I always tell him idk...you're the doctor lol He's not one to add meds unnecessarily, so if he thinks I need it, I prob do.

I've also found that if I'm feeling so good that I'm starting to put a hypomanic label on it, it isn't just a case of feeling good and I am probably headed down a road that will eventually get really bumpy for me. There's a fine line, but I've come to see where it is . . .

[WibblyWobbly]

I guess I'll have to see if I can control myself. He put me on Ritalin a month ago after I begged him because my energy was so low. He would take me off it in a heartbeat if he knew I was manic. I just want to be able to get off the couch and accomplish things during the day.

[Crazy Hitch]

To be honest yes I am pretty upfront about my symptoms with my pdoc and what I'm going through.

My meds / doses change quite a bit when I'm going hypo to prevent the full blown mania.

Although I do confess in the past to having moved / cancelled an appointment because I felt too good to go and it lead to self destruction. Don't believe that's the route I would intentionally take again. Didn't end well.

But I can get why you feel comfortable with the "happy" feeling.

[wiretwister]

Originally Posted by WibblyWobbly

I guess I'll have to see if I can control myself. He put me on Ritalin a month ago after I begged him because my energy was so low. He would take me off it in a heartbeat if he knew I was manic. I just want to be able to get off the couch and accomplish things during the day.

when you play with fire be careful you don't get burned ...

[Angelwngs25]

I'm Hypomanic myself right now. I have a doctors appointment on Thursday the 30th, but I'm still not sure if I want to tell my doctor that I am this way because I don't want him to change my meds because I like the meds I'm on. I believe they are working but they just need another Anti-psychotic on board. What do any of you think?

[Lonlin3zz]

I find it hard to be truthful around pdoc/counselor when I don't trust them enough or uncomfortable around them.

[Nammu]

I don't say anything if I'm hypo or manic( if I show up in those states at all) because I feel great and don't think there's anything wrong. I'm getting better at realizing the up swings are a problem too. Better late than never I guess. It's more likely that I was aware on some level but felt too good to think it was a problem. But if you are aware you should probably be honest.

At the height of my hypomania i lose insight and think that i have just achieved good health and will be energetic and optimistic for the rest of my life. I am reluctant to see my doctor at these times because i worry that if i report that i feel healthy he will send me back to work.

I told him about my concern last time and he had a good laugh. He said i've been off work for 20 years and that if he ever tells me to go back to work *i* can fire *him*! We had a good laugh.

[WibblyWobbly]

Originally Posted by whatever2013

At the height of my hypomania i lose insight and think that i have just achieved good health and will be energetic and optimistic for the rest of my life. I am reluctant to see my doctor at these times because i worry that if i report that i feel healthy he will send me back to work.

I told him about my concern last time and he had a good laugh. He said i've been off work for 20 years and that if he ever tells me to go back to work *i* can fire *him*! We had a good laugh.

Wow, I'm going through the same thing right now! I feel at the top of my game but I don't want to go back to work yet. I've been out for a year and I feel like after everything I've been through I need a break to enjoy this moment of happiness! Which miiiight blow up before my next appointment but my pdoc always says, "Let's just take it day by day."

I'm so glad for all the responses here. I can relate to all of them. I don't know anyone who really understands BD and I keep this kind of thing a secret from my family to avoid fights.

[WibblyWobbly]

Originally Posted by Angelwngs25

I'm Hypomanic myself right now. I have a doctors appointment on Thursday the 30th, but I'm still not sure if I want to tell my doctor that I am this way because I don't want him to change my meds because I like the meds I'm on. I believe they are working but they just need another Anti-psychotic on board. What do any of you think?

Are you already on an AP? I was on 2 for awhile but I believe there is a black box warning discouraging the use of more than one AP because it can cause problems with your heart. The pdoc at the hospital only allowed it because I was psychotic and stressing out her and the nurses lol.

Originally Posted by Angelwngs25

I'm Hypomanic myself right now. I have a doctors appointment on Thursday the 30th, but I'm still not sure if I want to tell my doctor that I am this way because I don't want him to change my meds because I like the meds I'm on. I believe they are working but they just need another Anti-psychotic on board. What do any of you think?

Therapy may be more helpful to you than medications.

I report symptoms. So energy, racing thoughts, irritability, easily distracted, risk taking, alcohol and drug use, grand plans etc. But its not lasted long enough in 5 years now to have needed a med change, pdoc tends to get in on the tail end to try and combat the mixed/dysphoric mania.

[Angelwngs25]

Originally Posted by WibblyWobbly

Are you already on an AP? I was on 2 for awhile but I believe there is a black box warning discouraging the use of more than one AP because it can cause problems with your heart. The pdoc at the hospital only allowed it because I was psychotic and stressing out her and the nurses lol.

Anti-psychotic? Is that what you mean by AP? If so, yes I am taking an Anti-psychotic called Ziprasidone.

i try to be.

years of being ignored and abused by my family and supposed frriends has made it difficult to open up to anybody.

but i do my best

[polesapart]

I'm honest, and she can usually tell even if I don't say anything. But I have to admit I haven't always followed the recommended med changes as I'm enjoying myself too much!

[SillyKitty]

Originally Posted by WibblyWobbly

Are you already on an AP? I was on 2 for awhile but I believe there is a black box warning discouraging the use of more than one AP because it can cause problems with your heart. The pdoc at the hospital only allowed it because I was psychotic and stressing out her and the nurses lol.

I was on 2 for a while, too. When I went inpatient, their pdoc tried to take one away, but I threw such a fit, she left it alone. I'm down to one now because my pdoc who prescribed it and I agreed to try 1 and I could always add the other back if needed. I trust him because he knows more than a quick chart glimpse pdoc.

[WibblyWobbly]

Originally Posted by SillyKitty

I was on 2 for a while, too. When I went inpatient, their pdoc tried to take one away, but I threw such a fit, she left it alone. I'm down to one now because my pdoc who prescribed it and I agreed to try 1 and I could always add the other back if needed. I trust him because he knows more than a quick chart glimpse pdoc.

Exactly the same as me!

[Miss Laura]

Hey,

I have to admit I am pretty useless when it comes to admitting when I am in need of help.... I pretty much wait until I am feeling really bad then I have to tell them (my care team) that I have came off my meds, been manic, have been hallucinating, been paranoid and having delusions. By this point they might have already guessed and they just remind me how bad it can be and what happens if I get too high. I am VERY fortunate to have never been hospitalised over my bipolar nor have I ever been in any trouble

My doctor told me a little hypomania is ok. I don't always crash into depression after hypo, or go into full mania.

So yes, I've been honest.

I don't give all the gory details of my manic episodes though. Just a general overview.

I have Fibro also, and I relate to savoring Hypomania. Hypo is when I feel like I really live. It dulls the pain even and lets me enjoy life in a way I can't otherwise. (((HUGS)))