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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by garyengelm on December 7, 2007, at 16:55:54
Spoke with a pdoc today who told me over the phone I may be bipolar type II. I told him my situation (Severe anxiety which turns into Severe Depression, sometime both at the same time. Maybe like 4 days a month, I wake up and feel fine, no anxiety, no depression. I'm not manic by any means, but I just feel normal and ready to go back to work, as this has kept me from working as an RN since March. Pdoc says this may be a sign of Cycling as this is strange like a light switch being turned on. Since I can't tolerate SSRI's, he said I might have Bipolar type II and should try a mood stabilizer.
Any thoughts ?????????????? Appreciate any Input
Posted by Justherself54 on December 7, 2007, at 19:10:02
In reply to Bipolar Type II or GAD and Depression HELP !!!!!!, posted by garyengelm on December 7, 2007, at 16:55:54
How long have you seen this pdoc..I would be concerned about being diagnosed so quickly if it was just one phone call..bipolar can be tricky to diagnose..I was misdiagnosed for 20 years as just having depression as I only sought help during the depressive episodes..hope you continue to see a pdoc and get a proper dx..
Posted by Racer on December 7, 2007, at 19:36:20
In reply to Re: Bipolar Type II or GAD and Depression HELP !!, posted by Justherself54 on December 7, 2007, at 19:10:02
I would be very skeptical about any doctor who would suggest a diagnosis over the telephone -- although I also have to say that the pattern you're describing is not typical of depression, and does sound more akin to some flavor of bipolar.
I've read your other posts, and suspect that what you're experiencing is not plain vanilla depression. Your history suggests a complex grief reaction to your brother's death, which may respond better to intensive psychotherapy. Medications can help, however.
The symptoms you've described from SSRIs would not lead me to suspect bipolar, of course -- they sound like the standard type of GI upset SSRIs can cause at first for many people. They may be more severe, but they're still in the same ballpark. I think any doctor would need more information than just, "I can't tolerate SSRIs" to suggest a new diagnosis.
Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on December 7, 2007, at 21:10:45
In reply to I agree with JustHerself, posted by Racer on December 7, 2007, at 19:36:20
Hey Racer I totally agree with you again. Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on December 7, 2007, at 23:41:13
In reply to Re: I agree with JustHerself » Racer, posted by Phillipa on December 7, 2007, at 21:10:45
From what you have described, there is no reason to believe you are bipolar. Sometimes doctors change one's diagnosis in order to justify certain medication choices.
I follow a similar pattern. Depression alternates with shorter periods of normalicy. Mood stabilizers did not work for me. Lithium/depakote made depression considerably worse, and lamictal just made me ansy.There are likely many neurobiological abnormalities for which conventional medications are simply not effective.
Linkadge
Posted by Emme on December 9, 2007, at 15:07:14
In reply to Bipolar Type II or GAD and Depression HELP !!!!!!, posted by garyengelm on December 7, 2007, at 16:55:54
> Spoke with a pdoc today who told me over the phone I may be bipolar type II.
Do you keep a calendar to track your changes in mood and energy and anxiety, etc.? I think you need a some careful records and a few visits with the pdoc to make a better assessment. It sounds like he was throwing out a possibility, but it's probably just a preliminary guess.
This is the end of the thread.
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