[Bipolarchic14]

I had vertigo for the first time. I didn’t know what it was so I called 911. They didn’t come at first so I called my primary care doctor. They told me I should go to the hospital and to call 911 back. So I did. When I got to the hospital They automatically did a suicide assessment on me and at that point I mentioned that I am bipolar so I’m not going to pass their exams in regards to that but that’s not why I’m here. They told me at that time that I should always tell them if I’m bipolar when they come. I don’t know why that would be. And I was a little taken aback by it. So my smart *** remark to them because I always have to have one.... you already took three hours to get here if I told you I was bipolar you probably would show up next week.

[*Beth*]

Your remark might have been smart-assed, but it may also be true. Or they'd send the cops instead of EMT's.

[Bipolarchic14]

I am just glad they had a test to perform so they did not have to just take my word for it. I hate that so many mental illnesses are subjective.

[Jmayfair]

That sounds like an experience worthy of a smart-assed remark. Why would it matter if you were bipolar or not?

[Gabyunbound]

I agree that it's silly to say that you should reveal that you're Bipolar at the outset. I wouldn't want to do that for fear of discrimination; I would want my physical symptoms to be taken seriously and would be afraid they would not, or not entirely, if I revealed MI.

That said, when in the ED, they are automatically and definitely going to ask you what meds you are on. From there, they will want to know why (I know, I'm a health care worker). But they would ask you that even if you were not on MI meds, they want to know why you're on every med you're taking in order to get an accurate history. Which is all to say that, in just giving them a list of your meds, they will find out you have BD anyway.

I hope the vertigo has resolved. I know people who have suffered from that, and it sounds horrific!

[MickeyCheeky]

So Sorry for what you've been and are going through! Please do not give up! i Hope you're feeling at least a bit better now. Hugs. Have you tried to ask them why they need to know that? i think it is your right to know although i am not sure. So Sorry. Please do keep us updated if you want. Hope things went well at hospital. Stay Safe. Sending many safe, warm hugs to BOTH you, @Bipolarchic14, your Family, your Friends and ALL of your Loved Ones! Keep fighting and keep rocking NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, OK?!

[Soupe du jour]

Hi Bipolarchic. I hope you are OK. Did your vertigo get addressed?


I think Gabyunbound provided a good reasoning for your bipolar disorder eventually being revealed. However, I totally get that no one wants a doctor or EMT to jump to any unfair and inaccurate conclusions. Certainly vertigo can have a wide range of causes, though it is even possible that anxiety or medications, themselves could be a cause. I hope the real cause of yours was uncovered.

[Bipolarchic14]

They gave me meds for it.

[unaluna]

One time i called EMT and the guy was like, do you see a shrink? Or some such question. And i was like yeah but thats not what this is. I was puking and pooping my guts out. They came and were very nice.

But its like yeah how do you answer that? I figured just be honest and get the help i needed, i was about passing out.

[TishaBuv]

If your vertigo doesn’t go away, try an ENT doctor. There is a treatment that has to do with the vertigo is caused from ‘crystals’ in your inner ear, and they have you lie down with a visor that tilts your perception, and the vertigo goes away. Forgive me for my horrid medical explanation. . I know this has worked when it didn’t go away on its own.