No one believes me (stigma)

[nlr_tiff]

I have been throwing up for a long time now and have been taking measures to get better. My problem is that I get the impression that certain people don't believe me. Like they think it's in my head because I have bipolar. How do I deal with this stigma?

[more0then0a0virus]

     It`s really serious. I`m sorry...
     Doctors try to do they best, but it can **** you off when they won`t listen at all. What damage they could have caused...
     I`m glad you find out this at time.

     Just please be aware of what kind of pills you take. Read the ingredients. It wouldn`t be so great if you became addicted. It`s sometimes really easy to find yourself there.

      Take care, and hope you do well

[nlr_tiff]

Yes this is a very dangerous problem. If the clot had missed my lung and gone else where like my brain for heart, I could have died.

In the mean time the clots are causing damage to my lung causing it to bleed and I cough up blood. Also I have to take very strong pain killers and strong blood thinners which all have their own risks and side effects.

[JACKIEBO]

I so glad you are doing better and was treated with respect, finally. I've found it to be most helpful t always take a friend, parent, co-worker someone with you when you go to the ER or to the doctor. They tend to be alert and listen to what your saying. I think it's because you have a wittness and support from one who belives what your saying. Good Luck

[more0then0a0virus]

I really am glad you succeeded, because ppl have prejudice to everyone who is bipolar or depressive. So you made a big step for all of them... And that`s good.

They don`t know anything. They think bipolar is the same thing as schizophrenic. And thank you. You made the difference...  

What should you do about this disease?  Is it very dangerous?

[nlr_tiff]

Thank you very much for your help.
My pain got so intense that I went to the ER last week and it turned out that I had blood clots in my right lung. I stayed in the hospital up until yesterday. Am now on meds for it.

[lindahand]

I hope you go to the ER for black poos because that is blood and is not a good thing. If something is bleeding that could cause nausea. As much fun as it sounds perhaps a colonscopy may be a good idea. That and the one where they go down the esophogus (spelt that one wrong but you know what I mean). Heads and tails. lol.

As for people not believing you or thinking it is all bipolar (unless perhaps the meds are interacting with you), I'd get a letter from your psychiatrist that says this in not a symptom of bipolar. Because it isn't. I've been going on boards for three years now and have never heard anyone say their bipolar was causing vomitting.

If you have health insurance keep going back until they do something. It is possible they will find nothing. Sometimes there are health conditions that baffle doctors, but from the sounds of it you've yet to exhaust all your diagnostic options. If you have health insurance they just may be cheap and not want to do them because they have to justify the costs to the HMO.

And I would be blunt with the doctor and ask him if he thinks this is because you have bipolar disorder. He will most likely say it isn't, but calling him on it may get him thinking in another direction. And if he says it is - then you can slap him upside the head and tell him that it is just the bipolar that made you do that! Or perhaps educated him a little as to why this doesn't fit any of the diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder. The second option is probably best as I don't think the prison doctors would be very helpful in diagnosing you ;)

Its a tough situation. Stigma is really hard to break. I've been very lucky as my doctors haven't labelled me. I had one that did and I fired him! Felt good. Which may be what you need to do. If you can see someone else - I'd go that route. Sigh. I wish we didn't have to go through things like this.

[more0then0a0virus]

You welcome (from both of us, I think)... And good luck. I hope you`ll succeed...

[nlr_tiff]

Thank you, both of you. I will try your advice with the docs and certain friends. I do have my husband and a girl friend who are looking after me. If it gets too bad I will have hubby take me to the ER. If I have black poos again (gross i know) I will totally go to the ER.

[freddie8605]

I'm not sure what it is but i always feel as if people don't believe me, i have a high pitched voice and my mum thinks that's why ( people just think i am a whinny child even though i am 20, i look younger than i am and talk in a high pitched voice, but i cant help that, i have been to a speech therapist which didn't help with my voice. People wouldn't even say there was something wrong with me when i was really depressed. i had to move towns till i was believed and finally diagnosed with depression and then bipolar. Why would any lie about this kind of suffering and pain, i was 15, when my family can see but doctors would just refuse to treat me, saying i was making it up!  The doctors told me that i cant be mentally ill because i hadn't taken drugs or drunk alcohol! i still cant believe that happened to me. so my advice to you is you know the truth, and if a doctor or friend wont listen to you find another one, one day you will find someone who listens to you and will help you. if it gets to bad in the mean time go to the E.R with someone who has been there with you through it and have them back you up! it was the only was for me all though be careful because now everyone has turned against me now saying i am psychotic, so just watch your back!

and if it helps i believe you, and i wish you the best of luck

[more0then0a0virus]

Tell the doctors you want them to prove you that you imagine this.Be strong an tell them directly you want them to make some tests(blood or whatever)... I would have said your parents should come w/you, but I saw you`re old enough to take you seriously... That`s my best advise 4 this...

And friends... Well, that`s a little bit complicated. They should be your support. Try to talk to them seriously, try to calmly explain you really do think that you don`t imagine the whole thing and that you are worried. And that they should be your support. They should have some faith in you. You`re not some stranger to them...

People look everything from they own perspective. Most of them doesnt`s even try to be in your shoes. Ask them to do that. And my opinion is, if they can`t do this, for their friend, they are not really your friends...  Friends should be here for us, share some burden and worries w/us. They should not leave us alone in hard situations...

[nlr_tiff]

Docs and certain friends.