Confused

[lizithelezi]

So i've been diagnosed bi-polar by 2 other doctors but the new one im seeing b/c i've been off medication for 3 yrs due to no insurance is telling me im probably not. hows that possible? im so confused and irritated i dont like supposedly knowing one thing and being told another. what gives?

[Twelvesgirl]

Well, LeftCoast told me kind of the same thing! I had been diagnosed a few times as well, but it is myself and those I trust the most (my family) who denies the BP dx. I am working that out in therapy right now! I am actually doing much better and I've only been once! She is right though, if you have been dx by 2 already, what you need to do is give the new pdoc your records from the old place. Why would they say you aren't BP. Why did you seek help? Did you have an "episode"? I am recovering from depression after mania, 3rd time being dx w/ BP. My therapist at first did not agree w/ the pdoc who prescribed meds on the diagnosis, I brought her my records, and told her of my recent "episode". I asked her what she thought, she said I am BP. (LeftCoast, theres my 3rd AND 4th dx!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whats wrong w/ me!!) Anyhow, if you bring the records and explain your confusion, and the doctor doesn't think your BP still, maybe you need to see yet another pdoc. If you've already been diagnosed w/ BP, it is truly important to take the right meds and talk to a therapist, pdoc etc. I'm working on keeping that statement true to myself! Sorry this is so all over the place, I just re-read it, I'm apparently a little scatter-brained this AM. Hmmm..better document it!

[LeftCoastChick]

Yikes
How long have you been with this new pdoc??  Before I was diagnosed (after an acute depressive episode) I was "interviewed" for 2 hours, by two pdocs at the hospital out patient clinic. I'd been in hospital a week before that stuck in emerg for 4 days, basically during that time, I was given ativan and seroquel every 6 hours and a shrink came by once a day to ask me how I was feeling and to see if I was still suicidal. So there was no diagnosis while in hospital.

Can you transfer files from your last pdoc? The usually have to keep them for a few years for legal/tax reasons.   My own personal opinion is that if 2/3 say you have it, I would go with the majority. You certainly want to get the best care, and the best meds for your condition. I had a pdoc from 1998-2000 and the same guy 2002-2003, and he never diagnosed me, even though I told him the exact same things as the pdocs I saw @ the hospital out patient clinic.  I shake my head, and I got very angry, I spent over 10yrs being undiagnosed and I think it was negligence on the part of my old pdoc. I told my now pdoc that today and all he did was roll his eyes and sigh. I'm guessing I'm not the first one to be wrongly diagnosed.  BP can occur in various ways and degrees, and no two people have exactly the same symptoms.

Here's a link to a site I find extremely helpful, and on the BP pages there are even more links.
http://www.helpguide.org/topic_index.htm