doctor's appointment tomorrow pls help - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

Tamela · 10-06-2002, 10:16 AM

Hello All,
I have been diagnosised manic depressive d/o (bi-polar)
for going on 14yrs. I have a very hard time staying on my meds,and always manipulate everything in my life including doctor visits. I do want to get better, but I don't know how to tell the doctor my symptoms. I am either to depressed or to manic to tell him my symptoms.I want to be well. But I have no hope really. It has been 14 yrs what is going to change after that long of a time! And really I don't know what is wrong with me. I have a time w/ black outs and don't remember
alot. I barely get thru one day. I can't really tell truth from fiction anymore! My hubby is taking me tomorrow. Does anyone have any advise for tomorrow. Any words of wisdom?
Thank you for reading my post!
Tamela

bev52 · 10-06-2002, 04:22 PM

Hi Tamela,

You mentioned that you 'have a hard time staying on meds and always manipulate everything in your life, including your doctor visits.'

Do you think this would be a starting point to just tell your doc just what you stated above and make a pact with yourself that you will take the meds daily without wavering. If you find that the meds prescribed for you don't seem to be working then, immediately call your doctor and he can make revisions until they find the right 'mix' for you.

It can be very discouraging when you can't find the right mixture of meds, and this is probably why most people give up and stop their meds, but if you 'stick it out,' and don't give up...they will more than likely get you straightened out and you can be happy and live a very productive life.

Hope you will let us know how your doctor visit goes and best of luck to you.

With Kindness,
BEv

StarCat · 10-07-2002, 08:15 AM

Hi Tamela,

Perhaps you could spend time before you go to the doctor writing 2 lists. 1 is your symptoms, what meds are and are not working, etc. Make them separate lists, and don't look at the Symptoms list after you're done with it.

The other 1 is what you hope to accomplish from the doctors visit, meds, etc. That way you know what you want the end results to be. And you can show both lists to your doc. But you will have told the truth (not manipulated) about your symptoms. And you will also get to say what you want your end results to be. So you can tell the truth about both, not just try to fake your way to getting your desired results.

I hope that makes sense.
Take care and good luck!
StarCat