[zarantha]

I have been diagnosed with multiple Disorders and I'm confused as to where to begin. Here are some of the Disorders:

Bipolar Type I
Schitzoeffective
ADD
PTSD
Borderline Personality

These are just the main ones that I am diagnosed with. I am on several meds that are supposed to help....

Lithium 300mg
Depakote 1000mg (being weened off of this med)
Geodon 120mg
Cogenton 2mg (for tremors caused by other meds)

I am unsure as to what to do. it has taken me several months to even talk the doctor into getting me off of the Depakote... She just yesturday started the process of weening me off of the Depakote.

Please ... if anyone has any suggestions as to what I should do beyond this point now I would greatly appreciate it.

Zara

[kris9999]

((((((((((Zara)))))))))) I'm sorry that you are going through these things. It's hard to cope with so many of these problems, I have been diagnosed with many things as well. I'm not sure about the schizoeffective but when I told my new t that I had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar 1 by two different doctors, she told me that you can't have both, it's one or the other.

I'm sorry you have all of these problems and I wish there was a magical way to get rid of them today but I'm afraid these things take a lot of time in therapy and the right medication. Maybe you should consider seeing a new doctor, one that would be willing to change your meds and find a med that will help?

Again, I'm sorry you're going through so much and I hope you will be able to find some comfort in the things that are upsetting you! ((((((((((Zara)))))))))

[zarantha]

If I could afford to go to a different doctor I would... I am going to a clinic that has a sliding scale for the payment... I don't bring in enough money to pay so they see me for free... and I get my meds through them as well... even the clinic in the next town over has the same doctor. I have finally convinced her to take me off of a med that hasn't helped for the past 9 months... I have had a second doctors opinion given to me and it has me concerned about the meds that I am on...

[VickiesPath]

There's a difference between schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia.

Yes, it would be odd to have schizophrenia and bipolar. But schizoaffective disorder can co-exist with bipolar, I believe. I'm not a professional or anything but from I understand, this is the case.

Actually, the meds you are taking sound pretty common for what you describe as your diagnosis. The only other thing that might be added at some point might be an antidepressant but many doctors do not add that unless the patient shows signs of depression. Often, in bipolar I , the primary manifestation is mania. So, a mood stabilizer is the main medication, which is what you are taking Lithium for and the Depakote also, but you don't have to take both if your doc has decided to d/c it. Also, you are taking an antipsychotic which makes sense, too.

Are the medications working for you? Do you feel basically symptom free? If not, you need to let your doctor know. Also, take advantage of any support groups you can find locally. Learn as much as you can about your diagnosis. When I was first diagnosed 30 years ago, there wasn't much support for me so I read and read. No internet, so I went to the library and got all the books I could find. I also bought books. I have quite an extensive library of my own. If I had had the internet back then, my library wouldn't be so big and I'd have more money! LOL Anyway, seek out and find as many support systems as you can.

I know that these diagnosis seem like a big shock. They always are when we first get them. Please keep posting here. There are a lot of nice people who will give you lots of support.

[zarantha]

thank you for your input Vickie it was very insightful. I am currently finding my way off of the Depakote... a slow weening off of them so that I don't have any bad side effects. within 3 weeks I should be off of it and have just the lithium as a mood stabilizor. The doc has finally listened about my wishes on the meds.... she has lowered the dosage of the Geodon back to 120mg instead of 160mg.

It doesn't make things any easier that I never see the doctor person to person....she is always on web cam from a different office that she works in.

[VickiesPath]

Originally Posted by zarantha

thank you for your input Vickie it was very insightful. I am currently finding my way off of the Depakote... a slow weening off of them so that I don't have any bad side effects. within 3 weeks I should be off of it and have just the lithium as a mood stabilizor. The doc has finally listened about my wishes on the meds.... she has lowered the dosage of the Geodon back to 120mg instead of 160mg.

It doesn't make things any easier that I never see the doctor person to person....she is always on web cam from a different office that she works in.

To tell you the truth, it wouldn't make that much difference to me if I saw my doc that way. I have found over the years that all they do is prescribe meds anyway. As long as it's "real time", in other words, she is a real person on the other end. It's not like you are writing notes back and forth. The communication is there.

Support is really important. A support group or therapy, whichever you think would help you the most. Or both. Having people around that you can talk to and compare notes with is important. Do you have any support groups?

I know it's hard at the first. Hang in there and keep posting.

[zarantha]

I guess the reason it bothers me that she is never in the office that I go to is the fact that the nurse that works with her butts into what I am saying and tells the doctor that my tremors are very minimal.... all I want to say to the nurse is "duh". the doctor has me on the cogentin just for that reason and yes it is working. what tremors I have now are based on anxiety issues and they can be controlled with concentration. When the therapist is actually in the office the nurse isn't in the room and the doctor can see for herself what is going on... the web cam makes it hard for her to see if I am doing better or not.

As for support... I see my therapist once a month (wish it were more often but she thinks once a month is fine). I would like her to do more on the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) side of things. I am in a group that is for social behavioral therapy where they teach us how to act properly in a social setting. I have only been to one session so far but I will be going to more every Tuesday morning... it helps some to be able to talk to people that understand what is going on in my life. I also have a good friend that I live with... she is like a second mother to me and I even call her momma. She is my care taker and I am so greatful that I have her... I can tell her about anything and she listens and can suggest things that I wouldn't have thought about.

[perpetuallysad]

Zarantha,

The nurse shouldn't but in, imo. I believe communication between you and your doctor should be direct and not translated by another person. What may seem minimal to the nurse could very well be dramatic to you.

I hope things get better for you. Its awesome you have a support group. I cannot seem to find anything of the kind around here, though I would really like to be a part of one.

Good luck.