Emergency Dept. Sunday

Hi all my friends........posting here because this encompasses physical and mental health, primarily bipolar.......

I have a thyroid condition and was on thyroxine and was admitted into hospital on sunday because I felt really unwell.......I was taken into ED so quickly I couldn't blink.......heart rate 150+........alarms going off, catherter in my arm, IV fluid, 2mg IV diazepam to try and bring my heart rate down. Thyrotoxicosis. 5 hours to get heart rate resting 80-90.

Now, lithium .8(top of the range)........ all good. After much consultation with Head of Department doctor, I was told that I did not present as bipolar......now in saying that my Psychiatrist and T have always wondered why I did not fit the criteria.......there have always been "inconsistencies".

Please, please get a thorough physical check with your doctor........I am not denying what I experienced in 2007 that led to a psych admission as being manic........but I had an undiagnosed thyroid condition which can frighteningly mimic bipolar. I am not saying that everyone has a thyroid condition and for those of you that know me, I have become proud of my bipolar dx........I would not give one up for the other.......believe me, thyroid disorder is just as frightening and confusing to manage as bipolar, but people need to have the right dx........if i can just help one person.

I am now on beta blockers to stop me from having a bloody heart attack......please look after yourselves......

i have both

Wow, that sounds really scary... I've been admitted a time or two because of arrythmia, but nothing like that! I'm glad you are OK.

Also, many bp meds can cause thyroid problems, including lithium, I believe. My pdoc always has a thyroid level done when he does lithium.

Stay healthy!

Michah, take care

halliebeth, thank you for replying as a person that has both.......I am DEFINATELY not saying you cannot have both.......I hope i did not give that impression.....

My gripe is that because I have a long mental health history and because Dx as bipolar in 2007, my thyroid concern was not taken seriously, until now of course......

I was terrified to go to the hospital on Sunday because I thought it was "all in my mind" and I was just having a 2 week long panic attack.......thank god I took the risk and went......I had been on thyroxine for goiter......from start to finish I have been feeling physically unwell for 4 years. I have had goiter for 3 years dx by a surgeon but nothing was done about it because the blood was within range and, (without confirmation-just a strong feeling!) because of my mental health history. My feelings of being unwell was just put down to that.

I don't want anyone to have any of it as I am sure you know.......I just know the sheer terror and trauma of not being listened to even though I have 20000 warning bells going off.........I felt powerless, vulnerable and unimportant and like i was dying.......

I am getting the right help now........hopefeuuly endocrinologist i see at end of march is a good, caring diagnostician and doesn't look at me like a psych patient with a file too heavy to lift, but a 35 year old mother who wants to have her bloody life back and eat a meal once in a while without feeling like it is going to come straight back up......

Sorry, everyone......I am extremely upset........my son had to see me strapped to those machines. I wonder if it could have all been avoided......

I'm not sure what's holding back your T and pdoc. One manic episode is enough to diagnose bipolar. You know 5 or so days with no sleep, feelings of grandeur, spending too much money, you know the routine.

I'm sure that it's frustrating trying to separate one from the other, though. Keep the faith; with a little help and support you'll make it through this.

My T and doc were not with me when I was admitted........3 weeks in psych hospital and they said I had burnout even though I was running around the hospital on antipsychotics and valium 100 miles an hour......then I fe ll into a severe depression.......My GP whom I have known for 13 years was the one that put me on lithium........he thinks I have had bipolar for years.....but everyone disagreed and blah blah

I started seing my shrinks after hospital because they are private and the hospital was public........they have treated me with a "mood disorder" but we have talked a lot about the inconsistencies and the only reason that my psych was happy to keep going with the lithium is because it seemed to work........but he tentatively agreed to Bipolar II. It was the closest dx to fit.

I am not phased either way......I have made my peace and am proud of my strange mind and wonderful ideas.......as long as the mood swings are under control. I have been mentally ill for 15 years......this is nothing new.

Thanks for asking, babe and wishing me the best.......thats kind of all I need at the moment.

Daveyjonesas in the locker? Big fan of spongebob squarepants.....Davey jones features regularly!!!

((((((((((Michah))))))))))

I'm sorry you have been through so much.

I hope you feel better now.

Take Care

Hey babe, going to pm you soon.......just have to upright long enough to write it!!!

So glad to hear that you are doing better. A visit to the ER Department can be a frightening experience. Been there done that -- so I understand. I'm also glad to hear that the dr. finally diagnosed your problem. I am not happy to hear that you are having thyroid problems. That's a stinker.

All I give are . Take care of yourself, Michah.

I'm so sorry you had to pass through such a horrible moment. It must have been really scary! Good thing that in the hospital they were able to find the key to the problem and you are getting to the healing path.

It is amazing that you went all that time without your thyroid been checked regularly. When I first started with my mental problems, that was the very first thing they checked out. I ask you the same question I asked in another old post: have you considered your thyroid removed? I had Hashimoto's disease and that's why my thyroid doesn't work anymore, therefore, I have now hypothyroidism and have to take a med for life. If you had your thyroid removed, you would have the same thing but would not have the goiter problem and the only thing to worry about would be that the med you are taking is in the correct dosage. Once the correct dosage is found, you would have to be checked every 6 months or so. Well I would consider that option. Has your endo suggested this?

I send you my best wishes and hugs if that's ok,

-Cat

Hey babe. Surgeon says no for now.......had a visit from the ambos last night.......heart rate 120 even on valium and beta blockers........gosh this ticker of mine is one stubborn little muscle!!! No activity, no stimulants no stress....... Endo monday.......thanks for asking cat eyes, it is nice to hear from you. Maybe endo will suggest surgery, wait and see.....

I hope you are feeling better now and that your ticker, as you call it, is walking instead of running

Good thing you are seeing the endo next monday. S/He will adjust your med in order to get you nice and new. Please keep us posted to know what happens. I have you in my thoughts .

Good wishes for you

- Cat

Wow, that sounds scary, Michah. I have bipolar and a thyroid condition of sorts. I had thyroid cancer and they have to remove my thyroid last summer. It was scary enough for me just getting everything physically back in order again after that. I can't even imagine what you went through. I hope things work out well with the endocrinologist.