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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by thewrite1 on May 30, 2005, at 11:48:44
I've been meaning to post about this, but it was a busy weekend, so I'm just getting to it. Saw my pdoc for the first time on Friday. I'm not sure how I feel about him. He disgnosed me as bipolar, which was a surprise to me. I must have looked at him like he was on fire. He prescribed three meds for me. An anti-depressant, a mood stablizer, and something to help me sleep. It feels strange to have a label slapped on you like that. Less than an hour I spent with him and he figures that out?
He asked me where most of my stress is coming from and I was honest in telling him it's my MIL (she's a VERY difficult woman), and he told me I just need to get along with her. Again, I must have looked at him like he was on fire. *slaps forehead* Oh, get along with her? Why didn't I think of that. Wanted to tell him to get bent.
My pharmacy didn't have one of the meds and it won't be in until Tuesday, but I've been taking the other ones for a couple of days now. I've had some strange symptoms, but nothing too bad. I'm trying to give it a chance despite my reluctance to be on them to begin with. I'm hoping once I get the other one, it will balance out a little more.
I saw my T on Sat. I asked her what she thought about the diagnosis, and she wouldn't say anything. She said she wanted to do some reading and talk to my pdoc after I go back to see him in two weeks. I did talk to my mom and found out my grandmother was diagnosed with bipolar some years ago, so maybe I am and maybe it's hereditary. I have no idea.
Anyway, I know this is all over the place, but I wanted to follow up after I'd stating my reluctance in even seeing the pdoc.
Posted by daisym on May 30, 2005, at 13:11:48
In reply to Pdoc stuff., posted by thewrite1 on May 30, 2005, at 11:48:44
Reminds me of what Lott wrote in chapter 3 (see above thread) about the power of a therapist's words. They can slap a label on you and it carries weight, no matter that they've spent less than an hour with you. *sigh* Not to say that they might not be right, only you know that. Did he say why he thought that?
I'm glad you are willing to stick with the meds for a little while. I found that after a couple of weeks, my stomach settled down, for the most part, and my hands stopped tingling. I still feel sort of floaty so I switched the time I take it to bedtime.
I'll be interested to hear what your therapist ends up saying.
Posted by thewrite1 on May 30, 2005, at 13:36:52
In reply to Re: Pdoc stuff., posted by daisym on May 30, 2005, at 13:11:48
He asked me a bunch of questions and then said he wasn't sure, then he asked a few more and said, "Oh yeah, you're bipolar." To me, that indicates that there's highs and lows and I don't really think that's true. I mean, there's highs, but they don't usually last that long. I guess I need to do some reading myself.
It just seemed really sudden. Then again, that's their job, right? Diagnose and treat.
I had this moment yesterday. I'd gone to work and then when I went to lunch, I came back and sat in my car for awhile. I was in this haze, and I found it difficult to recall simple information, like how many seconds are in a minute. I completely panicked and thus couldn't remember a lot of other things. For about a minute, I couldn't even recall my name. Then I calmed down, got a grip, and I was okay. I really felt like Dustin Hoffman in Rainman there for a few minutes.
I've had some other effects, too, but I have noticed that both times I was overdue to eat. I guess I'm going to have to work on a good eating schedule to avoid these things.
Posted by happyflower on May 30, 2005, at 13:44:04
In reply to Pdoc stuff., posted by thewrite1 on May 30, 2005, at 11:48:44
>>
> He asked me where most of my stress is coming from and I was honest in telling him it's my MIL (she's a VERY difficult woman), and he told me I just need to get along with her. Again, I must have looked at him like he was on fire. *slaps forehead* Oh, get along with her? Why didn't I think of that. Wanted to tell him to get bent.
>
> I see why this guy isn't a therapist, he must have the best MIL in the world or something, or he needs some reality drugs.lol. My MIL is very difficult and caused a lot of problems in my marriage. Last Oct. she moved away to live by her "better" goldenboy son and life has been so much better! Now they are complaining about her and we tried to warn them but they thought they could handle things better. The last laugh is on them. There are some people that NOBODY can get along with, and my MIL is one of them. NOBODY can stand to be around her!
Posted by Shortelise on May 30, 2005, at 14:20:11
In reply to Pdoc stuff., posted by thewrite1 on May 30, 2005, at 11:48:44
Labels, when applied to me, can really kock the wind out of me. Hard.
Your experience makes me think of going to the grocery store.
We need the labels on things so we know what they are.
The way things are in the states, where pdocs are the diagnosers and meds prescribers but not the therapist for the most part, and where they have to answer to the insurance companies who are BIG on wanting disnosis, well, I think pdocs have no choice but to make a diagnosis.
It sure would be nice if they'd say, hey, listen, I'm saying here on this form that you are bi-polar. This is no big deal as it's for the insurance company. Esp. when there are so many variations of conditions. How many of us would be bi-polar to some extent??
The pdocs live in another world, I think, a world where they define people. In the real world, where I **try** to live, we are all just pretty much who we are and doing the best we can.
But man, I hate those labels.
ShortE
Posted by thewrite1 on May 30, 2005, at 14:28:06
In reply to Re: Pdoc stuff., posted by happyflower on May 30, 2005, at 13:44:04
Yes, my MIL is so difficult. Sometimes I think she's the reason I'm in therapy/need meds, which it would probably benefit EVERYONE more if she's go into therapy and meds!
Posted by thewrite1 on May 30, 2005, at 14:30:29
In reply to labels » thewrite1, posted by Shortelise on May 30, 2005, at 14:20:11
I understand that insurance companies want diagnosis, and if it were merely lip service, I wouldn't care. However, being that I'm taking medication for this condition, I'd really prefer that it's accurate. Now, I'm not saying that it's not. I'm just saying that I'm having a hard time accepting it as so. I'm just trying to be patient and see how it goes.
Posted by happyflower on May 30, 2005, at 14:34:31
In reply to Re: Pdoc stuff. » happyflower, posted by thewrite1 on May 30, 2005, at 14:28:06
Posted by Dinah on May 30, 2005, at 16:30:49
In reply to Pdoc stuff., posted by thewrite1 on May 30, 2005, at 11:48:44
The remark about your MIL was silly. Sigh.
The most well respected pdoc I ever went to did a comprehensive evaluation, about an hour and a half. Then he made tentative diagnoses, not definite ones. I think "rule out" diagnosis, other than the one (OCD) I'd already been diagnosed for.
That being said, he missed the fact that I needed a mood stabilizer with my antidepressant. Which my current pdoc figured out at the first meeting.
I think the current thinking is that if you look like you have any bipolar tendencies at all, they prefer to give you a mood stabilizer with the antidepressant. Because antidepressants can cause a lot of nastiness in those on the bipolar spectrum. And also remember that it is a spectrum. He'd not necessarily saying you have Bipolar I. (Unless that's what he diagnosed.)
Most important, you're still the exact same person you were before this doctor put a label on you.
Posted by Jazzed on May 30, 2005, at 18:58:46
In reply to Re: Pdoc stuff., posted by happyflower on May 30, 2005, at 13:44:04
> >>
> > He asked me where most of my stress is coming from and I was honest in telling him it's my MIL (she's a VERY difficult woman), and he told me I just need to get along with her. Again, I must have looked at him like he was on fire. *slaps forehead* Oh, get along with her? Why didn't I think of that. Wanted to tell him to get bent.
> >
> > I see why this guy isn't a therapist, he must have the best MIL in the world or something, or he needs some reality drugs.lol. My MIL is very difficult and caused a lot of problems in my marriage. Last Oct. she moved away to live by her "better" goldenboy son and life has been so much better! Now they are complaining about her and we tried to warn them but they thought they could handle things better. The last laugh is on them. There are some people that NOBODY can get along with, and my MIL is one of them. NOBODY can stand to be around her!I'm sorry....we all MUST be talking about the same woman. Is MY MIL disguising herself as your MIL and write1's MIL? Causing problems, difficult? Must be one in the same! And, as for "just getting along with her?" Eat dirt buddy! Geesh, I'd tell him where to get off Write1, and do you have to go with this p-doc, can you get a 2nd opinion.
What are the symptoms you have of bi-polar, maybe you're actually ADHD or ADD - inattentive. ADD and bi-polar are VERY hard to tell apart UNLESS you have an ADD specialist. Go to www.amenclinic.com and take the self analysis, and then take an online bi-polar quiz. And if it sounds like you, go to www.addforums.com and do some reading. It's not difinitive of course, BUT wouldn't you want to be more positive before taking the meds? What does he have you on, if you don't mind my asking, and what are your symptoms? Maybe your grandmother was actually ADD.
Too bad your T wouldn't comment, but I think her silence might have spoken volumes.
Jazzed
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on May 30, 2005, at 20:56:58
In reply to Re: labels » Shortelise, posted by thewrite1 on May 30, 2005, at 14:30:29
Maybe you could ask him if he has any literature for you on bipolar. Pamphlets or something. Maybe even a website. You could read through and see if you think it fits. If you think it doesn't, you could go to him and say, "On this page it says that people with bipolar XYZ. I don't XYZ. What do you make of that? " It would be a way to approach it without being disrespectful, but you could figure out if he was a wrong impression of you. Maybe you could do this before you see him in 2 weeks?
Also, I would totally make sure that your pdoc and T talk to each other. I have found it to be very helpful in my tx.
Good luck!
EE
Posted by thewrite1 on May 30, 2005, at 23:13:52
In reply to pdoc stuff, posted by Emily Elizabeth on May 30, 2005, at 20:56:58
Yeah, I plan to do some reading and see what I think. I also want to give the meds a chance. I'm getting some good results, though there seems to be some bad coming along with it. Today was a good day, only two panic attacks!
Posted by thewrite1 on May 30, 2005, at 23:15:59
In reply to Re: Pdoc stuff. And WRITE 1 » happyflower, posted by Jazzed on May 30, 2005, at 18:58:46
Gee, I dunno. Does your MIL literally cry when she doesn't get her way? Does she try to send you on a guilt trip every chance she gets and dominate any and all things and make EVERYTHING about her and her feelings? If so, then she's probably as bad as mine. :-)
Thanks for the info and links. I'm going there now!
Posted by Shortelise on May 31, 2005, at 0:31:43
In reply to Re: labels » Shortelise, posted by thewrite1 on May 30, 2005, at 14:30:29
Sorry. DIdn't mean to offend.
ShortE
Posted by happyflower on May 31, 2005, at 6:00:32
In reply to Re: Pdoc stuff. And WRITE 1 » Jazzed, posted by thewrite1 on May 30, 2005, at 23:15:59
If ya add too it, my MIL is jeolous of the time her son gives to his wife and kids, thinks there is always something wrong with her to get attention, and won't take her depression and anxiety meds that her doctor precribed after we took he to a doctor because my sister in law who was a nurse before told her she did need those drugs! This is the SIL who now has to deal with her now everyday because my MIL moved there! lol
And if you add she doesn't see why it makes me uncomforable to see my FIL in his underware at the hospital! And she saves his cough ups so we can see them! yuck! I hope you arent eating right now! Plus if you add she gave my 1yr old son food that he was allergic to, she knew, but didn't want to believe it, even after allergy tests, she thought it was all in our head! I could go on if you like! It kinda feels good ranting! I should do more of this! lol
Posted by Jazzed on May 31, 2005, at 6:24:05
In reply to Re: Pdoc stuff. And WRITE 1 » Jazzed, posted by thewrite1 on May 30, 2005, at 23:15:59
> Gee, I dunno. Does your MIL literally cry when she doesn't get her way? Does she try to send you on a guilt trip every chance she gets and dominate any and all things and make EVERYTHING about her and her feelings? If so, then she's probably as bad as mine. :-)
>She has cried and stormed off when she didn't get her way, feined breaking her toe to get attention, guilt trips? yep, and yes, of course everything is about her. She has talked behind my back to everyone, including my kids. She has turned everyone in the family against me, except my husband. She has bragged to my kids about the things she's done, which are the same things my kids are doing, but she does it SO much better, so what they're doing doesn't count. When she asks them about themselves, but it turns into a conversation about her, and she discounts their feelings. She's just a B, and I think a lot of MILs are. Some are very luck to have good ones though. Geeze, I hope I'm never like her!
Jazzed
Posted by Jazzed on May 31, 2005, at 6:26:27
In reply to Re: Pdoc stuff. And WRITE 1 » thewrite1, posted by happyflower on May 31, 2005, at 6:00:32
> If ya add too it, my MIL is jeolous of the time her son gives to his wife and kids, thinks there is always something wrong with her to get attention, and won't take her depression and anxiety meds that her doctor precribed after we took he to a doctor because my sister in law who was a nurse before told her she did need those drugs! This is the SIL who now has to deal with her now everyday because my MIL moved there! lol
> And if you add she doesn't see why it makes me uncomforable to see my FIL in his underware at the hospital! And she saves his cough ups so we can see them! yuck! I hope you arent eating right now! Plus if you add she gave my 1yr old son food that he was allergic to, she knew, but didn't want to believe it, even after allergy tests, she thought it was all in our head! I could go on if you like! It kinda feels good ranting! I should do more of this! lol
EW! I'll take mine over yours! At least I've gotten to the point where I can speak my mind, somewhat and sometimes, with her. I just don't give a Sh** anymore.Jazzed
Posted by thewrite1 on May 31, 2005, at 10:00:12
In reply to Re: labels » thewrite1, posted by Shortelise on May 31, 2005, at 0:31:43
Oh, I wasn't offended. Sorry if it seemed that way. I appreciate your input. :-)
Posted by Racer on May 31, 2005, at 13:36:17
In reply to labels » thewrite1, posted by Shortelise on May 30, 2005, at 14:20:11
I have had a very hard time with labels, having had dx used a club to pummel me in the past. Now, though, it's a little easier for me -- primarily, I think, because I've been collecting a better treatment team around me to apply those labels.
The first time I saw Dr CattleProd, my current pdoc, he diagnosed me with depression -- which I expected -- and with anxiety, which was overwhelming to me! I struggled so much against it, no way, that couldn't be me, uh uh, no way, no how, not a chance.
Of course, once I got over that panic attack, I did realize that it did fit, and that I had known that it would fit better than pure depression. I guess I just needed to see someone whom I could trust a bit more. With Dr CattleProd, I feel safe -- mostly -- and his diagnoses feel safe, they fit me. I've got three dx's now, on my insurance paperwork: 296.32, 300.00, and 307.10. Major Depressive Disorder, Moderate, Recurrent; Anxiety Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified; and Anorexia Nervosa, Restricting Subtype. They fit, they make the insurance company as happy as they ever are when they have to pay out, and I don't feel as though I'm wearing a sandwich board saying, "SHAME! SHAME!!"
On the other hand, my own personal diagnosis of myself has long been Irregular Polygon Syndrome: I'm not a round peg trying to fill a square hole, nor a square peg trying to fit a round hole. I am an irregular polygon, and need my own, custom made niche.
And the most profound thing I've ever heard on this subject was from a friend whose autistic son had just had his official evaluation at five years old: it came back severely austistic. He had expected Moderate, rather than Severe. But he said, "You know, though, he's the same kid he was yesterday, and he's got the same strengths and weaknesses he had then, too. The only difference now is that there's an official diagnosis, which means that we know better what we need to work on. And, of course, now we get more services from the school district, too."
So, we're the same after diagnosis as before.
As for the BP diagnosis, and the mood stabilizer, depending on which mood stabilizer is prescribed, it may work as an augmenting agent for the antidepressant, as well as a mood stabilizer. My well liked Dr CattleProd was talking to me about non-anti-depressant choices for my depression, and brought up meds like Lithium, Lamictal, etc. He said that they may work well for unipolar depression, as well as mood stabilization. I guess the bottom line is, if they help, they help -- regardless of the Official Diagnosis.
Of course, if they don't help, it is always worth a second opinion.
Hope something in there made sense...
Posted by Shortelise on June 1, 2005, at 0:22:33
In reply to Re: labels, posted by Racer on May 31, 2005, at 13:36:17
I'm glad you're around Racer.
ShortE
Posted by Shortelise on June 1, 2005, at 0:22:52
In reply to Re: labels » Shortelise, posted by thewrite1 on May 31, 2005, at 10:00:12
thanks :-)
This is the end of the thread.
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