Bipolar Type II Support Group

Hi, I'm new and live in England so shouln't complain about our free National Health Scheme but i feel in such limbo. It has taken years of being on antidepressants for anxiety that made me sluggish and depressed to see a psychiatrist due to "anxiety"- I get given a brilliant one who persuaded me to have a break from my job as a physio and changes the meds to venlafaxine which at least I could stay awake on but then she leaves and I have 18 months of locums who say ,"I'm only a locum wait til the permanent psychiatrist is in post" so won't change meds or properly go through my lifetime of symptoms. I have wondered since I was a teenager whether I am bipolar as I have had too many depressions with suicidal thoughts to recount and in between have had bionic uncontrollable energy.Now at last the permanent psychiatrist is in post & I get booked in for an assessment (so I thought) only to have a quick chat & sent off with the same antideressants (Venlafaxine & Mirtazepine). The next visit I broke down at the appointment & he finally gave me Lamotrigine. The latter has helped dramatically with the racing thoughts & mixed state I was getting on the Venlafaxine but he still hasn't given me a diagnosis apart from saying "Lamotrigine is a mood stabiliser & therefore if you do have a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder this may be the reason why Lamottrigine has stabilised you." I even reluctantly went in armed with stuff from the internet to show him how many of the symptoms I have since the age of 19 and a family history of an aunt committing suicide on my mums side & a cousin on my dad's side with clear Bipolat I. He has promised me we will discus this further next visit which is April 8th but having waited 25 years for this I am having difficulty hanging on for this although it is only about a month away.

It seems strange wanting a diagnosis of bipolar II when most people on this chat room seem to feel down about the diagnisis but I feel I will be able to start to cope better if I know for sure whats going on & be able to explain to my husband who is always telling me to pull myself together.

I worry the doctor will think I am a know it all trying to diagnose myself but I can't stand the frustrations anymore.

Any helpful suggestions?

First of all, welcome to the group. It's a great place to be. Like you, from what I've witnessed, most people were relieved to get their diagnosis. Not necessarily what they wanted to hear because it can be very confusing. At least the diagnosis was made and we can work now at trying to get better. It's a very long road but knowing can get us the help that we need. Let us know what the pdoc says.

Tracey

Thanks Tracey. Great to hear from someone

Lynz

Welcome! Although I was shocked to hear my diagnosis of bipolar 3 years ago, I can say with all honesty now that I'm glad there was a name to describe symptoms that I've had ever since I was 20. (I'm now 38) I've been misdiagnosed 3 times over the past 18 years that I've been in the mental health system (major depressive disorder, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar I with ultradian rapid cycling) and it's nice to finally have a correct diagnosis after all that time. As far as how pdocs perceive patients having the desire to be informed about their diagnosis, many of them look at this as being a good thing. They consider this to be a trait of a patient who wants to take command of their treatment and function the best they can. When I saw my new pdoc in December, I was afraid that he'd think of me as a know-it-all, but I found the opposite to be true. He found my knowledge of bipolar and willingness to do everything I can to get better to be a refreshing change. I wish you all the best at your next pdoc appointment. Let us know how it goes.

Lynz,

Since I've been diagnosed over 20 some years ago, I've played the diagnosis game with myself from all sides of the chess board. Not that I think it did me any good, but I became aware of some of the symptoms they use to decide whether we meet the criteria of this disorder or that disorder.

You don't need to buy any book. The information is all here on the internet.

I'm Bipolar I because I had an episode that involved psychotic ideation. I might meet the criteria for schizoaffective, too. Otherwise, when I'm medicated properly, I act more like one of you guys, a Bipolar II. But when I get into a depression where all I see when I look up are black clouds, I could pass for a depression diagnosis.

The numeric code diagnosis and name allows insurance companies in this country to decide what claims get paid and what don't, and it allows clinicians to discuss cases in an efficient way.

Since you have nationalized health care in England, I wonder how it works with regard to insurance companies and their requirements. You do drive on the other side of the road there!

Personally, I have a good feeling about Lamictal or lamotrigine. I do hope your good luck with it continues. Apparently we both made it past the skin problem (they went real s-l-o-w with my build up on that stuff). It seems to be one-stop shopping almost for helping depression and boosting mood, too.

I don't recognize the two antidepressants you mentioned. I would Google them on your computer and see what comes down the pike insofar as information about them.

If I waited as long as you have for a determination and definitive diagnosis, I'd have some anxiety too. You are what you are (profound), and the more you are yourself in the diagnostic interview, the better. A list of your symptoms drawn in the palm of your hand might help (humor).

Post edited by: scooby, at: 03/12/2009 10:51

Scoob,

Venlafaxine is a generic of Effexor and Mirtazepine is a generic of Remeron.

For reasons I do not know, people in Europe tend to call meds by their generic names.

Thanks all of you for your replies. It is a good point, to say the consultant should be pleased to find a patient who is willing to do everything they can to get better. I shall think over this one to give me the confidence to say how it is on April 8th.

Lynz

Lynz,

Good luck! If you feel comfortable doing so, let us know what happens.

Hi Lynz!

I can understand why you would finally want a diagnosis and I think it is great that you are interested in trying to figure out what it is. For BPII I recommend the website www.psycheducation.org where there are some "quizzes" like the Bipolarity Index and the Bipolar Spectrum Disorder Scale. Taking the BSDS was SO eye-opening to me.

Antidepressants are not necessarily the best choice for BP so a diagnosis will help the psychiatrist figure out what to give you. Lamotrigine is a great start. Great drug. It does have to go up slowly as Scooby said, which can be a little frustrating b/c you are more or less unmedicated for a while. My pdoc threw in Invega to help me get thru the wait.

Good luck at your next appointment!

Ally

Thanks Ally the www.psycheducation.org website is very informative.On the BSDS & Bipolarity Index I seem to score strongly on the bipolar side

Lynz