I was diagnosed last week with Bi-Polar type 2 and I have lots of questions. First of all I'd like to know how they reach that conclusion after only one visit. I have been being treated for the last three years for depression/anxiety with Zoloft and Klonipin but have been becoming worse and worse with a myriad of symptoms. My GP tried me on a few other AD's but the results were the same, I felt worse with thoughts of suicide, severe agitation and anxiety. I feel like I'm going crazy and that I'm going to jump out of my own body to try and escape from these awfull feelings. I do have a family history of depression, and one sister who is Bi-Polar 1. I also have Thyroid disease and take medication for that. (I've been posting frequently at that board because of my TD and these symptoms).
When I saw the shrink last week she mentioned something about putting me on Depakote and some other "new" mood stabilizer. I can't recall the name of it but it was long. I can't take Lithium because of my thyroid. I've been weaning off the Zoloft for a week now and today is the first day without it and I don't feel as bad for some reason.
This whole situation with the Depakote and the other drug really frightens me as I've had so many bad experiences with antidepressants that I'm afraid that these drugs may make me feel even worse yet. My other big concern is that I want a proper diagnosis. What happens if you take Depakote or any of the other mood stabilizers and you don't need them? I hope and pray that I've been given a proper diagnosis and that whatever drugas they put me on will help alleviate these most disturbing feelings.
Thanks for reading this,
Bluelady

If someone has Bipolar Disorder they usually DO feel better after going off an SSRI anti-depressant like Zoloft. Zoloft can often trigger (not cause) mania or hypomania in a person with undiagnosed Bipolar disorder.
There are side effects to many of the drugs we try for Bipolar Disorder. It becomes a trial and error thing rather than a "magic Rx". Someday (in my prayers) there will be a mood stabilizer with no side effects for any of us...
The side effects have ALWAYS been better than catatonic depression or psychotic mania (with embarrassing behavior) in my book. That's why I've always taken my pills and just gritted my teeth with a tremor, thirst, etc.

I take Depakote and have for almost 8 years. It can harm your liver but, your Dr should monitor that and your blood levels of Depakote to ensure safety. I understand how you feel about going on meds that you think you don't need. Trust me, I think that all the time and try going off my meds and realize very quickly that I DO need them. I agree with Ruth, you and your Dr may tinker with the exact combination to use. I am currently tinkering with mine and I have been dX for 9 years.

I do have a question for one of you out there and I know this sounds stupid considering I have been Dx for so long. I keep reading type 1 and type 2 BP, what does that mean? Is there somewhere I can go read about this? I will obviously ask my Dr about this when I see her next.

Hang in there and trust your Dr. I think that's the most important thing. If you don't feel comfortable, then it's time to change until you find one that fits YOU! :D

The main difference is that with Bipolar II you never get a true mania, but have "hypomania" instead.

Hypomania is a state of elevated energy and/or mood that falls short of outright mania. There is heightened energy, elevated or irritable mood, increased talkativeness, decreased need for sleep, increased social or sexual activity, and increased spending or work.
Mania takes all these symptoms and boosts them up a notch. Mania can become psychotic or delusional or require hospitalization. I had all three of those during my last manic episode.

The main difference is that with Bipolar II you never get a true mania, but have "hypomania" instead.

Hypomania is a state of elevated energy and/or mood that falls short of outright mania. There is heightened energy, elevated or irritable mood, increased talkativeness, decreased need for sleep, increased social or sexual activity, and increased spending or work.
Mania takes all these symptoms and boosts them up a notch. Mania can become psychotic or delusional or require hospitalization. I had all three of those during my last manic episode.

I'm glad you explained that because I've been trying to figure what mania/hypomania is. My symptoms are severe irritability/ anxiety and racing thoughts. I feel shaky most days and feel like I'm going to jump out of my skin or go crazy. The Zoloft I was on helped my depression but either brought on or intensified the other feelings. When I've been in the racing thoughts/anxious state I've felt very suicidal. Is this mania/hypomania? I don't know much about any of this as I've just been diagnosed. Do you know anything about bi-polar disorder and thyroid disease? Please explain more if you can.
Thank You,
Bluelady

I take Depakote and have for almost 8 years. It can harm your liver but, your Dr should monitor that and your blood levels of Depakote to ensure safety. I understand how you feel about going on meds that you think you don't need. Trust me, I think that all the time and try going off my meds and realize very quickly that I DO need them. I agree with Ruth, you and your Dr may tinker with the exact combination to use. I am currently tinkering with mine and I have been dX for 9 years.

I do have a question for one of you out there and I know this sounds stupid considering I have been Dx for so long. I keep reading type 1 and type 2 BP, what does that mean? Is there somewhere I can go read about this? I will obviously ask my Dr about this when I see her next.

Hang in there and trust your Dr. I think that's the most important thing. If you don't feel comfortable, then it's time to change until you find one that fits YOU! :D

Thank you for your reply. I feel a wee bit better about the Depakote. It's not that I don't think that I need the Depakote, I want to be SURE I need it as I have thyroid problems that may be contributing to this mess. Can you tell me what kind of side effects you've had from it if any? I've read that it can cause weight gain and I'm already very overweight. I see my Doc this afternoon and I'll be bringing up my concerns about all of this with her.
Thanks so much,
Bluelady

If someone has Bipolar Disorder they usually DO feel better after going off an SSRI anti-depressant like Zoloft. Zoloft can often trigger (not cause) mania or hypomania in a person with undiagnosed Bipolar disorder.
There are side effects to many of the drugs we try for Bipolar Disorder. It becomes a trial and error thing rather than a "magic Rx". Someday (in my prayers) there will be a mood stabilizer with no side effects for any of us...
The side effects have ALWAYS been better than catatonic depression or psychotic mania (with embarrassing behavior) in my book. That's why I've always taken my pills and just gritted my teeth with a tremor, thirst, etc.

Hi Ruth,
Thanks for replying. Do the mood stabilizers help with anxiety/nervousness/racing thoughts? What about the depression?

Bluelady

They sure helped me...
I have Type I Bipolar. On the mania side I had rapid speech, rapid thoughts, shopping sprees, delusional thinking, no sleeping for days, etc.
I've taken lithium carbonate as my mood stabilizer since 1985 and have never had another manic episode. Not one in going on 20 years. Whew! What a relief. Even managed to pin down a healthy relationship during that time!!

Technically it is easier to stabilize someone with mood stabilizers while they are manic/hypomanic rather than in the depressive phase. That may require adding an anti-depressant - NON-SSRI Please! - for a period of time.
I would say I have probably had some mild depressions off and on during the last 20 years but nothing like the ones that led to me having ECT. Worked like a charm, but everyone kind shudders if I tell them! Also, when my Dad died it took me longer to start grieving, and the grieving lasted longer.
And some of us will ALWAYS need more than one med. I'm one of the "lucky" bipolars who is a lithium responder and can tolerate the side effects.

You ask some great questions by the way...
I've never had problems with my thyroid, but I've heard that symptoms of bipolar can be similar, and also that my medication for example can actually cause thyroid problems so I have a blood test every year with a TSH & Creatinin done.
So far so good.

They sure helped me...


Technically it is easier to stabilize someone with mood stabilizers while they are manic/hypomanic rather than in the depressive phase. That may require adding an anti-depressant - NON-SSRI Please! - for a period of time.
I would say I have probably had some mild depressions off and on during the last 20 years but nothing like the ones that led to me having ECT. Worked like a charm, but everyone kind shudders if I tell them! Also, when my Dad died it took me longer to start grieving, and the grieving lasted longer.
And some of us will ALWAYS need more than one med. I'm one of the "lucky" bipolars who is a lithium responder and can tolerate the side effects.

Hi Ruth,
Thanks for sharing your situation. I'm not sure but I think I'm in a manic phase right now and have been since I started that Zoloft 6 weeks ago. It helped the depression a little but has left me feeling like I'm losing my mind. I feel like one big ball of nerves, anxious, shaking and very agitated. I weaned myself down to 25mg for a week and stopped taking it completely yesterday. Thank goodness I've had Klonipin to get me through all of this.

You ask some great questions by the way...
I've never had problems with my thyroid, but I've heard that symptoms of bipolar can be similar, and also that my medication for example can actually cause thyroid problems so I have a blood test every year with a TSH & Creatinin done.
So far so good.

I saw my psychiatrist (second visist) today and she prescribed Lamictal (sp?) since I can't take Lithium. She told me that Depakote wasn't a good choice either because I'm overweight and have a family history of diabetes. She gave me a lab slip for tons of bloodwork including another Tsh that I have regularly anyway and I'm supposed to have that done before I start the Lactimal. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Lactimal will help me. She said that she may add some Topamax later after we see how I respond to the Lamictal.
Good Luck to you and thanks.
Bluelady