right diagnosis or?

I was diagnosed as having bipolar I don't agree and was prescribed lamictal I don't have the highs and lows associated w/ the disorder I was also told that from my mom down to my youngest son has it as well all this from a conversation that lasted 15 minutes I opted for a second opinion and I'm scheduled for one. Pls comment thank you

[bernie40]

The only thing we can comment on is that it is a good idea to go for the second opinion if you are not happy with the first.  A 15 minute conversation is certainly not adequate to make an informed diagnosis of one person, let alone an entire family!

I hope all goes well with your 2nd appointment.

[cowgirlnerd]

You definitely need to get a second opinion.  Bipolar isn't like being diagnosed for a cold...it's a little more complicated than 15 minutes and they SURELY can't diagnose a whole family with one person being reviewed.

Until you get your second opinion, I wouldn't start the Lamictal - but of course that's up to you and your doctor.  I take Lamictal and it does wonders for me, but it has a definite schedule that you start taking it.  You can't take some today not tomorrow, etc.  So, it's better to start the cycle when you are SURE you are going to be taking it long term.  

Good luck, and I hope it all goes well.  

[LeftCoastChick]

I have to interject, if you weren't displaying signs of depression the doctor wouldn't have prescribed that drug. It's a great drug, for me it's been fantastic. As long as the dose is slowly upped, it's a safe and effective one. I personally like the drugs in that class more then taking Effexor or Prozac, which have far more side effects.  I would go back to that doctor and ask why he made that diagnosis. I did, because some of the questions were odd, somethings I wouldn't have expected to be asked about.  If you still feel you are wrongly diagnosed then get a second opinion, but you did go to that doctor for a reason right?

[beatfreak]

I was recently diagnosed for a second time because the first time I went (8 years ago) I felt the EXACT same way you are describing. I couldnt see how someone could tell me such a major thing after only talking to me one time. Needless to say, I didnt go back but ended up right back at square one 8 years later, so he must have been right....unless this doctor Im seeing now is a quack too. LOL That is a good question though. DO most people who are diagnosed get their diagnosis on their first visit or did it take a few times?? But maybe there are key things we said to lead them to believe that's what we are dealing with. Good luck!  I will say one more thing, I've always gone back and forth (knowing Im bipolar and taking meds, then questioning it and stopping the meds, then again realizing I need them) I think it all goes hand in hand with the illness unfortunately.

[hell1971]

I guess if a doctor diagnosis in the first visit there must have been strong indicators, I was diagnosed by my daughters doctor because of the way I was behaving after starting an antidepressant so I definatley asked for a second and then by fate got a third, they all came up with the same diagnosis, im sure there are stand out symptoms but you have to be happy with the diagnosis, this effects the rest of your life so you should go for another opinion. Good Luck

[lagatta]

I had a hard time with my diagnosis of Bipolar II as well.  I've previously been diagnosed for depression and anxiety but the meds used to treat me weren't working.  When I got my diagnosis by my current Pdoc I thought he was crazy.  I've never had the highs that I've always associated with Bipolar (overconfident and erratic behaviour). Instead I've been told I experience mixed episodes (hypomania & depression simultaneously) which results in depression, anxiety and irritably together.  The meds for bipolar have been helping.

It never hurts to get a second opinion.  For someone to assess you within 15 minutes is unusual, however, I would be open to the idea that it may be Bipolar.  You should probably read up on the Bipolar spectrum because it's quite complex.


Good luck!

[teababy]

Thanks for feedback I'm definitely going for the 2nd opinion. My gut is that the doc is in it for the bucks sad to say and how I saw him is he is treatng my duaghter for bipolar and she's in a treatment center and has been for 2 yrs and I'm gng thru the courts to get her home so I'm jumping thru the hoops and I'm fighting this docs oppinion of me cuz its simply outrageous.he's requesting funding from the courts to treat me and holding my girl hostage.   Well thanks all and happy easter