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09/21/2011 12:17 PM
kellylynn
kellylynn
 
Posts: 234
Member

Wondering if i have adhd which i was diagnosed with until my recently new phsyc dr said she thinks i can't focus or stick with any thing long is not adhd but rapid cycling. I am not sure since i have always been this way. If i am really interested in something i can focus. She is going to try and put me on lithium to slow me down a bit and see if that will work.

Just wondering if it will work any comments would be appreciated.

Reply

09/21/2011 12:59 PM  Top
whatthefisup
whatthefisup
 
Posts: 440
Member

you can have both
~Wendy

***My advice is purely personal. I am not a Doctor and there is NO substitute for getting proper medical diagnosis and advice***

09/21/2011 01:11 PM  Top
Bangbang
Bangbang
 
Posts: 6069
Group Leader

Lithium has been a tried and proven drug for biolars. When I was working in psyhiatry way back in the early 70's it was the only drug that was used and it worked.
You are not drunk unless you have to hang on while lying on the floor.

Previous discussions I participated in:
I gotta vent
Bipolar Angry...
Skills for Bipolar Recovery

09/21/2011 01:18 PM  Top
Migru
Migru
 
Posts: 104
Member

Lithium has been my wonder drug. I too cycle rapidly and though it still happens, it's not as drastic. With it, I'm about at cyclothymic levels. I can be aggressive in the morning, lightly depressed in the afternoon, and hypomanic in the evening. All this during a very emotionally distressing time in my life. One could say ON THE SURFACE that I have ADHD because of my symptoms, but proper p/doc eval shows that I cycle like Lance Armstrong. Smile (I like that metaphor). AAAnyway, listen to your doc. Medicine management for BP comorbid with ADD or ADHD is NUTS. I know a girl in my group that deals with it and it's not the easiest thing.
Bipolar I w/ Psychotic Features
Mood stabilizers: Lithium 600mg, Lamictal 400mg, Trileptal 1800mg
Anti-psychotic: Geodon 240mg
Anti-anxiety: Klonapin 3mg and as needed.
Added bonus for the shakes: Atenolol 50mg
Sleep aid: Lunesta
Dosages vary depending on severity of symptoms. Thank goodness my meds are decreasing! Woohoo!

09/21/2011 01:27 PM  Top
Bangbang
Bangbang
 
Posts: 6069
Group Leader

In my opinion if you are bipolar ..stimulants other than anitdepressants should not be any of your meds. Even the antidepressants can cause mania. Wellbutrin sends me into the heavens so I don't take it unless I feel like goin there.LOL
You are not drunk unless you have to hang on while lying on the floor.

Previous discussions I participated in:
I gotta vent
Bipolar Angry...
Skills for Bipolar Recovery

09/21/2011 01:35 PM  Top
Catbaloo
CatbalooPosts: 4715
Group Leader

I have both ADHD and bipolar 2, and I take adderall for my ADHD. It helps me to concentrate and focus - I am a different person on it. Before, I couldn't finish reading an article online. Now I can.

Maybe it doesn't cause me any problems because I don't have bipolar 1, so I don't have mania???

My opinions are just opinions, and should be taken as such. I am not an expert on medicines or BP disorder.

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09/21/2011 01:52 PM  Top
Bangbang
Bangbang
 
Posts: 6069
Group Leader

That could be ...I don't know. My Pdoc has me diagnosed Biploar II. I don't agree with her becuae if I am not taking my meds I display all the symptoms of Biploar I. Does not make any sense to me.
You are not drunk unless you have to hang on while lying on the floor.

Previous discussions I participated in:
I gotta vent
Bipolar Angry...
Skills for Bipolar Recovery

09/21/2011 01:55 PM  Top
YorkieLove
YorkieLove
 
Posts: 7028
VIP Member
I'm an Advocate

Stimulants either make you cycle faster or more extreme. I can't remember which. I could not get stable while on stimulants and I have bipolar II.
Lisa

My advice is purely personal. I am not a Doctor and there is NO substitute for getting proper medical diagnosis and advice.

Bipolar II, Depressed Severe

Lamictal 400 mg
Seroquel 150 mg
Effexor 150 mg
Inderal 10 mg
Ambien 5 mg
Lithium 1200 mg

Previous discussions I participated in:
Tears
what colour is your mind.
Terrible couple of weeks

09/21/2011 03:44 PM  Top
sarahtroy
sarahtroy
 
Posts: 12171
Group Leader
I'm an Advocate

I take a stimulant for my the symptoms of my depression. It does not negatively effect my bipolar II. I am very stable.

Yes, kellylynn, you can have both bipolar and ADHD. I think giving the Lithium a try is a good idea. Lithium is a good medicine and I hope it works for you.

Post edited by: sarahtroy, at: 09/21/2011 03:51 PM

Bipolar II, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia & PTSD; Alcoholic in recovery since 3/21/07.

Aplenzin 522mg; Pristiq 200mg; Lamictal 400mg; Geodon 160mg; Ativan 1mg TID; Deplin 15mg; Xanax PRN; Metoprol 100mg.

• "Don't give up 5 minutes before the miracle happens."
• "My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet." ~Edith Wharton
• "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." ~Ian MacLaren (Usually mis-attributed to Plato)
• "And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~Anais Nin

My support and advice is not a replacement for medical diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical advice.

Previous discussions I participated in:
Daily Numbers Sept. 21
I gotta vent
MDJ I Am Sorry

09/21/2011 05:43 PM  Top
angelique44
angelique44
 
Posts: 165
Member

Perhaps you have "overfocused ADD," which is what I have, meaning you can focus and in fact will hyper-focus on things that interest you. It's almost like you go into a trance and lose yourself in something and find it very difficult to pull away from it once you start it. I do this with copyediting/proofreading and jewelry making. I also have Bipolar I.

Post edited by: angelique44, at: 09/21/2011 05:44 PM

Bipolar I, depression-dominant w/single full-blown manic episode

"You have to believe in happiness, or happiness never comes.
Ah! That's the reason a bird can sing on the darkest of days--He believes in spring!"

"Close your eyes and pretend it's all a bad dream. That's how I get by."--Jack Sparrow, Pirates of the Caribbean, 'At Worlds End'

Oxcarbazepine (stabilizer) 300mgs. 2x/day
Effexor XR (antidepressant) 300 mgs. 1x/day
Xanax (antianxiety)as needed, up to 2x/day
Inderol (adreneline blocker) as needed, rarely
Seroquel (antipsychotic/sleep med) 100 mgs. 1x/day
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