Second Opinion for Bipolar Diagnoses

[DGWR]

I haven't been diagnosed with BP2 for long.  I feel my psychiatrist could be wrong.  Do most people get a second opinion ?

[DGWR]

Good to hear back from u!  Confession, I have been bad.  Slowly cutting the meds. I know, bad idea I am sure!  I tried back in 2007 & that was just meds 4 panic d/o & conversion. Very frightening (thought it was toe tag time) in the floor @ Taco Bell, next memory in the hospital. Long time before I went to a Taco Bell again LOL! I thought I did it the right way, very slow reduction. Now, I think it was not slow enough or it was going to happen anyway. I just want my ole self back again!  Full of energy, always skinny (not anymore) , a good Christian, passive person with a smile on my face thru yrs. of  emotional pain.  I'm losing it all but pounds & I am desperate, I want that consistent smile on my face & thin LOL!  I did leave a message with a psychologist to set-up an appt.  I read where someone posted that they had seen a therapist, an BP was confirmed.
Yes, I need to take advice that is given to me & get my head on straight (Oh, that's funny! My head on straight).
U asked about Conversion D/O. It's weird!  It is when a Psychological distress converts into a physical symptom (real physical symptom).  The mind blocks out the stress or conflict that one is under b/c they cannot handle it & the brain causes loss of certain or several motor functions.  Me personally, my legs become paralyzed, sometimes my whole body & I cannot speak. The only thing pleasant about the D/O is ur blank & peaceful mentally. It varies in duration. For me, it usually starts out as a panic attack then escalates to very slow movement (a person would swear ur messed up severely on drugs) then on to paralysis from there.
Sorry, I am sure that's TMI!  How u doing?  Oh yes, spread the word, "Overspending will get ur friends a BP dx"  LOL!!!!          

[Mmorgan856]

A side note.  Did I understand u correctly?  He changed diagnosis because u  went shopping alittle more than normal??  Ooh,  that means everyone of my friends are in the same boat as me..  Let's see,  guess I'll let my friend know next time she blows a bunch of $$ on stuff she doesn't need or want a day later,  that I know what her problem is.  LOL

[Mmorgan856]

HELLO, HELLO. Just checking back to see how ur doin.  I know it hasn't been that long since we communicated an know how things can drag on  trying to get an appt.  just hoping u didn't try an do it ur way buy stopping meds.  Been there, done that,  sometimes it works, sometimes I get very unstable emotionally.  In my opinion, it's not worth the emotional heartache of throwing ur self into either mania or depression.  Personally, when I try to tweak my meds without des. Approval,  usually end up sliding to the dark side.  Since my doctor educated himself for decades, an I on the other hand, have just enough knowledge to think I know it all,  I lose.  Playing with my meds doesn't have a good track record, so to speak.  I would advise against it..  On the other hand,   Always question why they're adding a medication an what symptoms is he/she seeing that they want to either add or change a med.. I understand psyche meds is not an exact science an doubt it will ever be but I also don't want to feel like a guinea pig when it comes to my mind.. By the way, u mentioned that u were treated for conversion D/O.  What exactly is that??  Not familiar with that term... Anyway, u take care, stay cool an take ur meds. Mary

[DGWR]

OMG!  Major misdiagnoses.....Thank God they found the right dx and med.cocktail........Thank u 4 sharing.................Its time 4 me to look up another psyc. dr.

God Bless!

[DGWR]

Thank You for your responds!  I am going to look for another psych.doctor.  U r right, harsh meds & serious dx.

God's Blessings

[DGWR]

I scrolled the screen backward (LOL) and saw your first comment!  That's me bassakwards! Anyway, it is simply amazing how you went thru medical school & held a good job!  I had always been a perfectionist and full of energy. I lost my job due to a third mistake.  My energy, well lets just say I miss it terribly !  Concentration, gone along with focus and it is still that way.
I cannot imagine going thru all those yrs. with the wrong dx.  That is awful! I was diagnosed last yr. @ the age of 52 with BP2. It seems a little late in life for that. I have been seeing this dr. 4 several yrs for Panic D/O & Conversion D/O then suddenly I spoke of not being myself by overspending, next thing I heard from him was I little signs of BP. 2 mths later, he gave me the confirmation of BP2. Just makes me wonder! After hearing your story, its time to find another opinion & may b not my own way.

[DGWR]

Thank You so much!  You put a smile on my face with "were unique"!  I second guess the diagnosis may b bc I don't want to face the fact.  Probably not a good idea but I thought to put it to the test by decreasing my medication.  If I am o.k. then the diagnoses was wrong.  LOL, what a way to get a second opinion, from myself.  Sounds crazy no doubt!  I finally did get the nerve to tell my brother.  He said, "I don't know anything about that stuff". I said "Mood Swings" and left it @ that.  I know he has heard of BP and I am sure it was in a neg. way. I think he chooses to turn off what he does not want to hear!  I admire u 4 holding ur head up and ur  way of thinking.  I Thank u for sharing and will keep it in mind "We r few & far between, therefor that makes me unique". I like that!!!  God Bless You,
I pray for ur well being too.  

[Mmorgan856]

Something I need to add.  I was in complete denial about a mental diagnosis mainly due to social stigma concerning bipolar disorder.  I could deal with the label of depression( who doesn't suffer from it at one time in their life) .  If that is your correct diagnosis, embrace it, deal with it thru medicine, an never hang your head in shame like I did.  Although it's not true, I tell my friends an family that "" we are few an far between, therefor that makes me unique"". Works for me. U will run across people that look at u in a different light when they find out ur bipolar,  that negativity u do not need in ur life.  Praying for ur well being.  Take care

[Mmorgan856]

Absolutely get a second opinion... I speak from lots of experience.  Misdiagnosed at age 18 until 49. . Believe it was a living hell for years being on the wrong medications, being treated for the wrong mental illness.  For decades I was told I suffered from severe depression, situational depression, u name it.  The reason being is I would seek treatment when I would cycle into depression.  An only then.  The doctors I would see would look at my medical records an just go alog with the previous, dx.   Finally, years later , a new psyche doctor of mine asked me how I could have made it thru medical school an hold a prominate job with no problems.  Told him I go up an down every 4-5 yrs. Hence, the correct diagnosis.  Being on the right medications for me has been a life changer.  I pray to my God, the lamictal an latuda will always work for me.  I would seek a 2nd opinion cause like u , I didn't agree with the original dx. Although at the time I was clinically depressed.  This was before I educated myself on mental illness. Had never even heard of bipolar back then. An was not in the medical field then so...listen to ur inner voice so to speak an ask.  Haha. Boy I know ur psyche doctor would not agree with me.  But believe me,  they're not always right!!  Take care

[persephonedemeter]

i usually get a second opinion when I have doubts or I am not convinced. It's prudent to do that considering how serious the disorder is and how harsh the meds can be.

[2johndeereboys]

I have been diagnosed with Bipolar for almost 12 years now.....when I first got diagnosed I was misdiagnosed with schizoaffective disorder....I was put on the first of many different "cocktails" of meds and none of them worked.....I felt I was falling deeper & deeper into darkness and was NOT able to manage my hypomania at all!!

Then my Psych Dr left and I got a new one and he diagnosed me as Bipolar and ever since then I have been able to stay out of the darkness and manage my hypomania!!

My point is, it may take several different "cocktails" till your Dr finds the right one for you and the same goes for your diagnosis......I am sure there are A LOT of us out there that can say they were misdiagnosed too!!!

Hang in there and the BEST of luck to you!!!

Lisa
=)

[DGWR]

Thank You for you response !

[thatquietgirl]

If you suspect the diagnosis is incorrect, you can always get a second opinion.  I never did because it fit well, and my therapist even agreed when I began therapy with her after the fact.  (Took me a while to want a therapist due to a bad experience with the intake person, who was one.)