[hashiBP2?]

Hello,
I'm 38 yrs old and a mom to three daughters. I have struggled with depression and aggitated depression as i got older since I was a young teen. I have been on zoloft, celexa, wellbutrin. Wellbutrin made be hyper. I have had a few doctors and psychs say they think I am bipolar2. I also have Hashimoto thyroiditis autoimmune disease. Which can make you swing from hypo to hyper. I was diagnosed with that a few years ago. So my latest doc has mentioned bipolar 2 several times. My last visit I was a mess. I spent a whole month in a rage. My famiy couldnt stabd me. I couldnt stand myself. In my defence my doc did change my thyroid med that month and put me on methylfolate. SO, How do I know if its bipolar or Hashi? Thanks

[Victoria'smom]

Welcome, I would say if bp meds help than it's bp.

Well, I can't tell you whether you have bipolar or Hashi, but... if bipolar meds work for you, then it doesn't matter which one you have. Your ultimate goal is to get better.

There are some people with Autism who take mood stabilizers, even though mood stabilizers are meant for bipolar disorder. Does that mean those Autistic patients are bipolar? Not necessarily... but the mood stabilizers help them a lot.

So, I personally wouldn't worry too much about labels and I would instead focus on finding medication that works, but that's just me.

Hope that helps

[hashiBP2?]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

Well, I can't tell you whether you have bipolar or Hashi, but... if bipolar meds work for you, then it doesn't matter which one you have. Your ultimate goal is to get better.

There are some people with Autism who take mood stabilizers, even though mood stabilizers are meant for bipolar disorder. Does that mean those Autistic patients are bipolar? Not necessarily... but the mood stabilizers help them a lot.

So, I personally wouldn't worry too much about labels and I would instead focus on finding medication that works, but that's just me.

Hope that helps

I have not tried any BP meds yet. I'm very sensitive to meds and a bit scared to try. I know I have a lot of hormonal issues as well that I am trying to figure out. I guess I will try to get all my other issues together and if I still am having symptoms of BP I will try meds. My PC is really pushing Lamictal on me. I;m not ready yet.

It's important to go at your own pace, so if you're not ready to try Lamictal, then don't let your dr force it on you.

I think it's perfectly fine if you want to try fixing your other issues first. Nothing wrong with that. But if BP meds work out for you even if you don't have BP, then there's noting wrong with that either.

Hopefully your dr will understand

[hashiBP2?]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

It's important to go at your own pace, so if you're not ready to try Lamictal, then don't let your dr force it on you.

I think it's perfectly fine if you want to try fixing your other issues first. Nothing wrong with that. But if BP meds work out for you even if you don't have BP, then there's noting wrong with that either.

Hopefully your dr will understand

Thank you. I ithink she will understand. I already told her i filled prescription but have not taken pills. i am still taking it all in. I feel very alone in this whole thing :-(

[pirilin]

Originally Posted by hashiBP2?

Thank you. I ithink she will understand. I already told her i filled prescription but have not taken pills. i am still taking it all in. I feel very alone in this whole thing :-(

Hello hashiBP2?......Welcome to PC. bipolar forum.

It is very hard to accept a diagnostic. I still question mine, after five years.
We all want to be healthy.
In the specific case of the Lamictal, I've been taking it from the start.
No major side effects that I can speak of. And at the time, lifted my depresion.
I went up to 200mg very slowly. Like is customary.
It's an anticonvulsant used for epilepsy. In 2004 was approved for bipolar.
It is your decision at the end, however, you will be starting in the softest
mood stabilizer in the market. Only concern is SJR. Odds, 1:6000.

Post as many times as you wish. You are not alone anymore, We are here for you.

[hashiBP2?]

Originally Posted by pirilin

Hello hashiBP2?......Welcome to PC. bipolar forum.

It is very hard to accept a diagnostic. I still question mine, after five years.
We all want to be healthy.
In the specific case of the Lamictal, I've been taking it from the start.
No major side effects that I can speak of. And at the time, lifted my depresion.
I went up to 200mg very slowly. Like is customary.
It's an anticonvulsant used for epilepsy. In 2004 was approved for bipolar.
It is your decision at the end, however, you will be starting in the softest
mood stabilizer in the market. Only concern is SJR. Odds, 1:6000.

Post as many times as you wish. You are not alone anymore, We are here for you.

Thank you :-)

[Hashi/bipolar mom]

Hi, I haven't been on the board lately so just now saw your posts. Hashimoto's or BP. Oh, how I've weighed that one many times. I was on many different AD's through the years for major depression and anxiety. I was only diagnosed with BP last June. I definitely know now that I'm BP (really didn't want to believe it). Once my husband went with me to the Pdoc, and described my moods and we noticed a cycle, then everything started falling into place. Since then, it's been a roller coaster as far as meds. I have terrible reactions to drugs. Lamictal is an awesome place to start! Love me some Lamictal and it doesn't affect our thyroid! I've been on Lamictal for 8 years, prior to my BP diagnosis. It helped me with my depression mixed with anger/anxiety. I still take it but now I also take other meds for my BP. I hope this helps. Hang in there.

[st0psign]

I think if the meds you're on are working for you the label of what's causing it doesn't really matter all that much