Probably Bipolar II

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Probably Bipolar II
12
Fri, 08-05-2005 - 1:32am

I've been on Wellbutrin for Depression for 2 years now mixed in with Lexapro and then Prozac and finally I saw a new doctor that looked over my stuff and said no, I think you might be bipolar disorder II.The normal productive periods of your life are actually you "hypomania" times that oppose your depressions (neither as severe as what bipolar I expereiences) What the?! Anyone new to this as well??

thanks!!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-10-2003
Fri, 08-05-2005 - 9:18am

Hi,

I always suspected I was bipolar because of the wild mood swings (people asking why I was so quiet and then people telling me that I needed to shut up and slow down)... but many people on this board were misdiagnosed as just depressed for many years. I am sure some of them could answer questions you might have.

Catherine

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 08-05-2005 - 10:14am

Hi and Welcome!


I was misdiagnosed with depression and took Prozac for over 5 years and felt WONDERFUL.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Fri, 08-05-2005 - 12:54pm

Being misdx'd with just depression, is VERY common for BP folk--took them 30 years for me, even after bringing up the possibility of BP myself (I'd read a description and fit me to a T).

Avatar for careyfeel
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-18-2003
Fri, 08-05-2005 - 8:38pm
I was in the hospital in May suffering from majort depression and a drug reaction.At that time I was diagnosed with bi-polar 2,I did not know what bi-polar 2 I knew I was not ever really very manic. I mostly am depressed,but thare are times when I am hypomanic. I did not realize that when I talk faster and a lot, have strange,racing thoughts, etc. it was hypomanic.There are days when I cycle rapidly.I am on Wellbutrin XL, Cymbalta, Lamictal and Tranzodone. The psych doc. is trying to find the right anti-depressant and mood stabilizer for me. carey (Fran)
Avatar for lizmc3
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 08-05-2005 - 9:44pm
Although I am new to this board, I'm not new to bipolar 2. I have been actively dealing with it for over 12 years. I started out being treated for depression for about 1.5 years then received a diagnosis of bipolar 2. I have a tendency to get really depressed and then taper off to a mild mannered, unexcitable hypomania. When I begin to get irritable, short tempered and start yelling, I usually am not sleeping, having racing thoughts while trying to go to sleep and generally don't feel myself. I don't really get to "high" on that end of the spectrum. I take 200 mgs of wellbutrin sr twice a day, 50mgs of lamictal twice a day, 25mgs of topomax twice a day, and 40 mgs of geodon at bedtime. IT seems to keep me "normal". I'm pretty good about taking my meds, although I still hate the idea of taking them, I know it's necessary, because when I don't it's not a pretty sight.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Sat, 08-06-2005 - 1:12am

Thank you everyone for your input. I was very surprised to hear there is more than one type of Bipolar Disorder; I'd always thought it was just the one (the old "manic-depressive") so that took me a second to digest. The thing that bothers me is that the times that I thought I was being normal I am apparently in my "hypomania" stage??! That sucks! So what IS normal anyway?? LOL We'll see how my new meds go--the new doc switched me to Lamictal. The Wellbutrin/Prozac felt as if it had stopped working anyway--as the doctor and I discussed. Oh--and for those who asked--yes, I am seeing a psychiatrist (as well as a talk therapist from time to time now--I went regularly for awhile when I needed that & now it's on an "as-needed basis") I'll keep you posted--thanks to all!

Hugs :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Sat, 08-06-2005 - 9:33am

Hi there. I got a chuckle when I ready your reply and asked about what normal is. That is the million dollar question around here I think. I was also recently diagnosed with BP after having been treated for depression for 5 years. The swings were generally hypomanic and few and far between for a long time. Then last fall/winter I started rapid cycling and my tdoc sent me to a pdoc where I was diagnosed and started on meds for bp. It took a few months to finally find the right combination of meds due to my sensitivity to medications but once I found the combo that worked things have been getting better. I'm still not 100% stable, although after my recent vacation, I'm as close to that as I've been in a very long time.


Glad to hear that you are seeing both a pdoc and tdoc. I know without mine, and the fine women here, I'd be totally lost! Keep posting and know we are here for you!


Hugs,
Traci

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Tue, 08-09-2005 - 2:34am

Yeah, right now I am just kinda blah--I've been on the Lamictil for 2 weeks (did I spell that right??) And I really would like to FEEL things again. I just feel so unmotivated about everything. It's like--can I get some hypomania here so that I can have energy & enjoy things & get stuff done?? I hate having to postpone stuff while trying to figure out the best med combinations to work. Sigh.. Just annoyed & frustrated right now.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-26-2003
Tue, 08-09-2005 - 8:54am
That happened with me also when I started Lamictal.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Wed, 08-10-2005 - 2:15am
Thanks Donna! :)

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