Ever wonder...

[BlondieLashes]

I sometimes wonder if I have been mis-diagnosed. I have been diagnosed as Biploar type 2, but haven't experienced a "high" in over 10 years that I can recall. To me is seems I rather suffer from major depression. Anyone else in the same boat? Can diagnoses change over the years?

 

[SinkingShip]

I'm also a Type II, and my "hypomanic" episodes occur VERY infrequently. This is one of the difficulties with bipolar diagnoses in general - its very similar to other illnesses at times. A hypomanic episode with bipolar can be as mild as "feeling ok" to something manifesting as higher than usual levels of energy.

What medications are you on? I'm on a combination of anti-depressants and mood stabilizers. Anti-depressants help with the depression, but if the mood-stabilizer isn't strong enough, I will go hypomanic.

 

[BlondieLashes]

I am currently taking Lamictal, Lexapro, Abilify, Buspar and Ativan. I have only been on this combination of meds for about a year. I sometimes wonder if I am over-medicated. I don't know. I suppose like you say, SinkingShip, the hypomanic episodes can be mild. I just really wonder with me personally if my pdoc heard prostitute (I used to be an escort) and immediately gave me the Bipolar label. I really wish I could switch doctors as I find it really difficult to speak to the one I have... He calls me Ma'am and is very formal. My insurance will not cover me seeing a different pdoc in this area though. Irritating!

 

[SinkingShip]

I'm taking Lamictal, Abilify, Wellbutrin, Luvox, and Lorazepam. I used to take Lexapro, but had to stop due to the side effects. I've wondered about over-medication, but my latest relapse has taught me otherwise and suggests I may actually be under-medicated. BiPolar is a real problem to correctly treat and there is often a lot of hit and miss when it comes to trying different meds. If you think your current regiment is working, I'd say stick with it. If not, then I'd say talk to the Dr about switching/eliminating some meds. Suffering through episodes is horrible enough without wondering why the meds aren't doing their job correctly.

I would hope your Dr would not automatically give you a label based on your past and would instead use his professional judgement in diagnosing you, but I understand your concern about mis-diagnosis (I was diagnosed as depressed for years and so saw the depression treated only, which aggrivated the manic episodes). Have you considered getting a second opinion? There are plenty of docs out there who are willing to sit down for a one-time meeting to review your symptoms, meds, and history and provide an impartial diagnosis. I'm currently considering getting one because my meds aren't preventing mood swings like they used to (I also have psychotic symptoms with my depressive episodes, so help with dealing with those would be good).

Having to stay in-network is a pain - how far away is the next doc that the insurance will cover?

Hope this helps,
SS

 

[BlondieLashes]

SS-

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I appreciate it. I suppose you are right. My current regiment is working... so I shouldn't think of switching meds. When I think about it long enough I can think back a couple of years to when my depressions were really bad. Now, not so much.

I guess I am a bit paranoid about being quickly labeled by a doctor that may not fully understand my past. He really hasn't asked much about it and is not the talking type, but raised an eyebrow back when I told him I used to be a prostitute. I guess that is why I wondered if he just threw a label at me. I suppose a second opinion wouldn't hurt, I'm just not really sure where I would go as there are literally 3 pdocs within driving distance (under 3 hour drives) and they all work in the same office. My insurance has told me the other 2 are not accepting new patients. I live in a pretty rural area.

It does help for me to get a clear head about my diagnosis just typing this out. Thank you!

 

[NewCovenant]

I haven't been hypomanic in so many years, I've forgotten how to have fun. I spend most of my life in a mildly depressed state. The last time I was hypomanic (I had no insurance, therefore no medication), I married someone I barely knew. That was a huge mistake, and we split after less than a year. So although I do miss the mania and the fun, I don't miss the fall-out.

 

[BlondieLashes]

I haven't been hypomanic in so many years, I've forgotten how to have fun. I spend most of my life in a mildly depressed state. The last time I was hypomanic (I had no insurance, therefore no medication), I married someone I barely knew. That was a huge mistake, and we split after less than a year. So although I do miss the mania and the fun, I don't miss the fall-out.

Is your lack of hypomania due to medication?

 

[Biker Angel]

I sometimes wonder if I have been mis-diagnosed. I have been diagnosed as Biploar type 2, but haven't experienced a "high" in over 10 years that I can recall. To me is seems I rather suffer from major depression. Anyone else in the same boat? Can diagnoses change over the years?

That is a really good question. I am bipolar 1 and it is supposed to get worse with age and that seems to be happening with me, tho the meds help a lot to bring me up out of my depression, if not then I would be way worse right now.

So if your not getting worse over the years then that may be a good sign that your not bipolar with manic highs. However I don't know for sure if bipolar 2 gets worse with age as bipolar 1 does........just saying.

 

[bsd31]

My understanding is that the older you get the less frequent, less intense, and shorter the manic episodes are. Don't recall who told me that but there does seem to be some truth in it.

 

[NewCovenant]

Yes, Blondie, my condition is well-managed with meds.

According to what I've read, the only requirement for a diagnosis of Bipolar I or II is a single episode of hypomania or mania, or a single episode of depression, and then an episode of mania or depression. In other words, one clearly diagnosable "swing." Now I know I didn't explain that in brilliant medical terminology, but that's what was explained to me by my dr and what I read in the DSMIV. Hope it helps.

 

[SinkingShip]

However I don't know for sure if bipolar 2 gets worse with age as bipolar 1 does........just saying.

I'd say it does get worse. I'm on far more meds and dealing with much more severe mood swings than I was a decade ago. With Type II the hypomania can be so subtle that it appears as better-than-normal functioning. You can always ask the DR if you should go on an anti-depressant if your moods are mostly depressed (thats what I did and it sort of works), may also be a sign that your mood stabilizer dosage needs to be increased.