Got some questions.

[Barribjorn]

Well I am new to the group. I have been very sick as of late, the episodes I have have been called anxiety to syncope. WHatever they  where they aggrivate my general anxiety and bipolar mania. Yesterday I decided to make a poor judgement call an indulge in some food with marijuana cooked into it. I though I can't drink but what could this possibly do to me. In short is aggrivated my problems and I had to go to the hospital. The ER Nurse summed me up very fast and did no tests on me even though I was clean the last seven times I have been in the ER. I am sure they see lots of stuff and do not have time to watse of a drugged out lunatic. So now I am feeling real guilty.

Ok I guess I need to ask my questions.

Was I just getting poor treatment because I tested positive for canibus?
Has anyone else had real trouble with the self medicating side of bipolar during a lengthy illness?

Ok, a real hard issue for me also is to tell the doctor the truth, I do not want to be locked up. I am terrified I am going to be if I tell him what is going on in my head sometimes. How do you deal with this kind of fear? I know it is not rational...

[AshleyBaker]

I'm glad we could help. ;-)

[Barribjorn]

Thanks to both of you. I have decided to be fully honest with my doctor, I do goes to a psychiatrist.

[AshleyBaker]

Hi. I'm a nurse. I also have Bipolar type II. I have noticed that I get treated differently than others when I have a medical crisis. It's like I'm not being taken seriously. I think you were treated bad. I think it's sad that someone passes judgement on you like that. I also have to say that I see alot of people who don't know how to cope and turn to drugs to help them or alcohol, thus making the situation worse. Sometimes nurses don't understand that and because of the amount of patients that they give us, we don't have the time to even think twice about it. I give everyone the benfit of the doubt until they become abusive with me.

I think you should talk to your doctor. And there's a difference, do you see a psychiatrist? Or a general practioner? A psychiatrsit won't lock you away.

Honestly, I'm not always honest with him. I should be. I hear, see, and experience things I haven't ever told any of them. It's personal choice. I too am afraid of being locked up, but I think the only way my doctor would lock me up is if I saw suicidal or wanting to harm someone else.

Are you on any medications? Maybe it would help.

Ash

[jen21287]

The doctor is not going to lock you up no matter what you say. The first step in seeking treatment is to admit that you have a problem and in doing so you need to be open about everything you are experiencing. It is important for the doctor to see as clear of a picture of you as possible.  I know that is easier said than done because it took me a long time to do so.  But once I did this, I was able to get the treatment I needed and get started on the road to recovery.

Are you on any medications for your anxiety and bipolar disorder?

I, too, self medicated alcohol and marijuana. I stopped taking my meds and turned to alcohol. This caused me to hit rock bottom and experience a long period of rapid cycling and instability until the medications took full effect.

I highly recommend telling your doctor everything so that you can get better and enjoy your life.