Update On How I'm Doing - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

dreams in neon · 11-19-2008, 02:04 AM

Hi everyone,

I've made up my mind and have decided to go for an inpatient assessment at a local psychiatric hospital tomorrow (Wednesday).

Given how much I've been rapid cycling for the past several weeks, I really need to do something to get it under control.

I'm hoping that by talking with a different pdoc I can find out what works, what doesn't work and why. Perhaps he/she can also give me a complete overhaul on my meds because something just isn't working.

While talking to my sister yesterday she said I was waaay manic and pointed out my rapid speech. That signaled to me that I'm still manic and really need to get some help.

I plan to ask the hospital for a day pass in order to see my pdoc on Friday. At that time I'm going to find out why he has only changed my meds ONCE during the entire year and a half that I've seen him. The last thing I want is for others to experience the same thing, so I plan to confront him (politely) to find out why he has been so negligent as far as my treatment is concerned.

I'll send all of you an update in a few days to let you know how I'm doing.

In the meantime, take care everyone and try to stay well.

dreams in neon
Bipolar I - Rapid Cycling
Schizoaffective Disorder - Bipolar Type

CarenR · 11-19-2008, 02:02 PM

hi that is a wise decision.. I went into the hospital in 2006 and the p-doc there put me on zyprexa.... and I still take it now..and it works....

hugs, Caren

bipolar 1

tigger5150 · 11-19-2008, 03:58 PM

dreams -
wishing you well and hope things work out for you.... I will be going inpatient on the 29th of Nov. where we will do another round of ECT and adjustment of my meds.... so I wish you success.....

seaturtle · 11-19-2008, 04:52 PM

Hey, neon,

Good for you! I'm so glad you're taking action to get the treatment you need. You deserve to have the best and to have every good thing, not this endless battle because you're not being properly seen to.

I don't know if you'll get this post or not (when you're going into the hospital), but I will be thinking of you and look forward to hearing from you again. I hope all goes well, and again, congratulations. You are doing the right and strong thing for yourself, an inspiration to me right now.

((((((((((((((((neon)))))))))))))))))

Seaturtle

dreams in neon · 11-19-2008, 11:32 PM

Thanks, Seaturtle!

I'm at the hospital right now (I'm using my BrailleNote -- a PDA for the blind) to read the boards. I should probably head to bed right now before one of the nurses asks me what I'm doing and tells the pdoc that I'm not sleeping like I should. I also don't want her to increase my meds.

The pdoc wants me to stay for at least 4 days in order to get my rapid cycling under control.

He changed me from 500mg of Depakote 4x/day to 20mg of Zyprexa once/day (morning). I took my first dose earlier this afternoon and feel strange. He is also keeping my Risperdal the same at 4mg (since it helps control my auditory hallucinations, delusions and paranoia) and is thinking about adding Lamictal, but doesn't know for sure because it requires titration and right now their primary concern is getting my mania under control. Once they do, they'll think about what antidepressant to put me on.

I have to say that I'm very pleased with the aggressive treatment of this pdoc. At least he cares and is doing everything he can to address my cycling. That's more than I can say for my own pdoc.

Once I'm discharged from the hospital I'm going to ask if I can see him from now on.

I'll send another update again tomorrow.

Until then,
dreams in neon
Bipolar I - Rapid Cycling
Schizoaffective Disorder - Bipolar Type