[luvyrself]

Please, the difference between depression and bipolar or bp1 or 2 or mixed and rapid cycling under stress or w addtl conditions for example is so vital w regard to meds. Of course we’re just giving our own experiences but it’s hard enuf to go in the right direction without confusing things completely.
I think we should all ask pdocs WHY they are adjusting meds in a certain way.

Hi luvyrself. I'm either not quite sure what you are asking or I think you are asking questions that are very difficult or impossible for me to answer.

I completely agree with you that we should all always ask our doctors why (with what aim) they are changing medications or doses. It's also good to ask what possible side effects might result from changes.

If you are experiencing mood changes or side effects, please describe them to your doctor. If you are unsure how to label what you are experiencing, do ask that, too.

I'm lucky that my psychiatrist gives me 20 minute med checks, that on occasion turn into 25 or even 30. When I've been very sick, he has often given me double sessions, which he reserves for emergencies, which I pay for. I know many patients are rushed in and out of psychiatrist offices in 15, 10, or even 5 minutes. If you have a lot of questions for your doctor, let them know you need extra time, if you are able and willing to pay for it.

[Blueberrybook]

My pdocs (the last 2 anyway) always have told me what they hope to accomplish with a med change, but having multiple MI diagnoses is something they tell me they consider as well when making the change. The previous pdocs maybe discussed it some, but I have been with my last pdoc over 10 yr, she is retiring. I don’t remember previous pdocs well. They were through the state county mental health program, there was high turnover, and it was a period I moved a lot - college, a different school for my Masters, in with H once we got engaged, to a house in a different area shortly after marriage.

But, I agree with the previous poster. I am not sure if you are asking a very complex question or saying it is important to know what a med change is supposed to address.

I haven’t found the right combo yet. But I am better off than I would be without the meds. I do want to be on fewer meds, but pdoc and I agree now is not the time to work on that as my life has never been this stressful.

[Wild Coyote]

Hello Luvyrself!

I have read and have re-read your post and am unsure of what you are saying/asking. Could you clarify?

Thanks!

WC

[~Christina]

I don’t understand the question ? Sorry

[Gabyunbound]

Are you saying that diagnosis should correspond to med changes? If so, I agree to a point. I think that med changes should mostly be based on current symptoms, but I think it's also important for the pdoc to take the time to plumb the depths and figure out if the current mood is situational. If it's situational, it may resolve itself without further changes in meds. Though sometimes I think it might be wise to change around meds if you're in a situationally triggered mood and then maybe go back to the original cocktail when it is over. I don't know...it's complicated. Overall, I don't think many pdocs take the time to find out if the mood (although one has BP) is BP-related or not, and take the steps necessary (or not necessary) in accordance with this.

[luvyrself]

So sorry. I meant that for us to give our input here on the forums, even tho we’re just giving our own experiences, it’s too confusing to do that in a meaningful way without knowing the persons diagnoses as a point of reference.

[Blueberrybook]

My diagnoses and medications are in my signature. Right now, the pdoc says I am mixed bipolar, but I think I may be headed toward depression, not sure. I am having some trouble sleeping too though, so I may still be mixed.

I don't think my cocktail is 100% right. And I am not sure I really have ADHD or if it's racing bipolar thoughts not letting me concentrate. A lot of adult ADHD symptoms can be bipolar symptoms as well though mixed bipolar or hypomanic/manic. And I do have a lot fo depression symptoms too.

Then, I have panic disorder, lots of panic attacks/high anxiety right now. But a good deal of it could be situational as I do not recall ever being so stressed out in my life.

I do feel I am much better off than I would be without meds though.

I want to start exercising again to help with mood/anxiety though with the eating disorder my weight had been too low for awhile to exercise, but my weight is much better now.

I recently started therapy with a new therapist. Finally, I think I found a therapist that is a good match for me (I've been trying off and on for nearly 20 years now to find that sort of T). I haven't been seeing her long, but she is helping me connect situations (especially parenting issues to my past, sometimes eerily so, where all my actions/reactions have roots in my childhood which I usually don't realize until she points them out). And there are other issues in parenting I blame myself for that are not my fault, she's reminded me, such as any mom can have a child wake up moody (especially if they are in puberty), and it isn't my fault if my daughter has PMS or is on her period and grouchy when she wakes up, even exhausted (as I know some days my period just about does me in on lack of energy). I am finally starting to be of the opinion that a good therapist for a person with mental health issues like bipolar and other issues can definitely supplement medication in a positive way, though that took me years & years to understand because of not clicking with a therapist.

And things like exercise, alcohol consumption, usually illegal drugs, etc. play a role too as well as the amount of stress in your life (financial, marital, a stressed spouse, a child who is not the easiest to parent - as I have definitely seen this with my daughter as compared to her cousins, newborn & on - problems with the HOA, tons of medical bills, medication side effects) all play roles too.

Plus, everyone reacts differently to medication. What works for one does not work for all, even if 2 people have the same diagnoses. It can be as simple as your body's response to one medication or how all the meds in a cocktail interact, affecting you physically and/or your mood. Even non-mental illnesses, such as diseases that cause pain, like fibromyalgia, arthritis, etc. affect your mood too.

It is a very complex issue.

[~Christina]

I don’t have my diagnosis in my signature nor my meds. I personally don’t feel the need to share nor waste my time doing so.

Just how I roll lol

[luvyrself]

All these issues are complicated. I don’t like my pdoc to shoot from the hip, so I try to give a good history that I prepared and update myself. They really seem to appreciate and it speeds things up. One thing I’ve noticed so often on the forums is that it seems to waste a lot of time and increases the frustration level if we lack info. Blueberrybook is one of the most thorough in giving information. I like it delivered in digestible posts. And good job BB you seem to be doing great racking up the successes, definitely w forward motion. BB has done academic research and knows that u can’t go forward wo a foundation of facts. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it. lol

[downandlonely]

My diagnosis is depression and anxiety, and I currently take Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, and Lamictal. Personally, I try not to give advice about meds on here. I am not a doctor, and what works well for me may not work for someone else and vice versa.

I am also careful about discussing side effects. People on a similar forum have warned me about side effects and made me paranoid about taking meds that could help me. Plus, if I'm really anxious, I can convince myself I am experiencing side effects. If you want to talk about your meds, the best thing is to discuss it with your doctor.