Bipolar Disorder Community

Yes, I do understand. I am between primary care drs and need to go to someone. It is a long story but it is definitely difficult for me to trust people.
I am pretty lucky with my pdocs and tdocs though all of them tend to think my issues are mostly situational. Yes, I know that and see it and yet...which comes first...my moods or my situations?
I have learned that I have to be my own advocate. Not easy to do.
Take care and try to breathe and go easy on yourself. Hugs!

I am sorry to ask but what is LSC, YI, and BI. I have been very lucky with my PCPs not blaming any of my physical/medical problems to my bipolar. l did have one pdoc blame me for my mental condition. That was the last time I saw him.
Donna

what is LSC, YI, and BI.

Hello Donna, Glad you got rid of that one pdoc right away. YI=yeast infection, BI= Bacterial infection and LSC is Lichen Simplex Chronicus Vulva. LSC vulva has the same symptoms as Vulvodynia. So you can google Vulvodynia and it will explain what it is and what the symptoms are.

I had one primary care doctor tell me that I needed to get my mental health situation under control before I could see him for something else. Needless to say I have not been back to him because I know the difference between Bipolar symptoms and other physical symptoms. Like my headaches. They are not caused by the bipolar. Migranes run in my family. My mom, sister, and nephews all suffer from migraines. He knew this because he was my mom's doctor as well. He thought I was just looking for narcotics. I had to tell him that I knew there were nonnarcotic medications for migraines and that's what I wanted. He still wouldn't do anything for me. That was very frustrating for me because I am not crazy. I know my body.

I can so totally relate to all of you. I had a neuro once who blamed the seizures and migraines on being bipolar. I asked him where he received his psychology/psychiatry degree. When he said he wasn't a specialist in those areas, I agreed, got up and walked out.

I've had a few PCP's that haven't got a clue wtf being bipolar means. Heck, the current one thinks GYN's are NOT specialists.

I understand the difference between physical illness and bipolar symtoms. I don't bother PCP's when I know it's a bp thing. And my pdoc thinks that a lot of my depressive and mixed episodes are caused by situational things. He's been very good, but the last meeting resulted in me having a very bad reaction to the med increases. And my lastest phone discussion with him about the continued mixed episode he told me I needed to remove myself from the situations. Hmmmm....I live with the MIL. I won't abandon my children or the legal pursuits. And the step-daughter is just in the wings with her issues. We won't even touch the financial issues or the bumps in my marriage as a result of all these things. Like dizzy...what do I do? Exist in a sealed world away from situations I normally can't avoid?

And as for pain management? I have Imitrex for migraines. Might as well take a sugar pill. Can't get anything stronger. And the ortho? He thinks a brace and no meds is best with a shot of cortisone. So I have a choice...tylenol which screws majorly with my liver panel and does nothing...or...NSAIDS which screw with my stomach ulcers. I agree. It's neverending.

LOL, sorry to laugh Melly but "remove yourself from the situations". OMG, if only we could do that.

I totally understand the frustration with your pain meds. The Dr.s that I see are terrified to prescribe Hydrocodone. The FDA and the DEA has them afraid to give us a medication that we really need for pain. Its all BS.

Lexis, yup, I know where your coming from. I know when Im having situational symptoms or Bipolar problems. We know our own bodies but yet they think that we are too messed up in the head to know the difference.

Dizzy dahling, my husband says that I trust ppl too easily. So I have the opposite problem than you. huggers

Melly...here is a java for you...cause we are in the same boat!
I have the migraines, same deal w imitrex, ortho and a brace, and the same with otc meds and stomach!
Let me preface the next by saying I have a WONDERFUL PCP...but...once the nerves and bones came in to play he just dismisses it. The neuro dx'ed the fibromyalgia and my pcp's answer is 'nothing much to do for it and your stomach doesnt need the meds' so now its a non issue with him. I was telling him how badly my wrist, hips and ankle and feet were hurting yet I am unable to work hence not from labour, ya know. Well, it was so bad i went to my local walk in, took x-rays, ordered bone scan...and tah dah, guess what, im not a hypochondriac! shoulders and knees =osteopenic; right ankle and foot, hips and wrist arthritic osteoporosis. The findings had a note attached: verify patient's age based on extreme results!

Cookie....that is the #1 problem, which is what I have said for years. Drs are shocked when they get a patient who really knows their body and keeps up with their medical hx. I know so many ppl who go to dr and say ' uh ok, fine, thx' and dont even know what the dr said lol. But then peeps like us come along and it throws them a curve ball.

Yeah...I am so sorry to hear about that Diane. It sucks when they don't listen to you. I didn't mention that my ortho "suggested" that my pcp should run a screen for rheumatoid arthritis, fibro and lupas...maybe. Getting him to do that? HA!!! It's ridiculous!

Exactly on point. Doctors HATE educated patients. You'd think they would like us because we're easier to deal with. They say we need a test or screening, we ask why, and if we don't agree ... we don't do it or if we do, we just do it. There's no grey areas.

My ortho goes, "I have bad news." Big pause. Me: I need surgery. Ortho: How do you know? Me: Because I researched the possibility already. He told me the dx which I already knew. And moved on.

I can relate to all of this (hope I'm not out-of-order posting here)!! I'm currently undx'd with what I suspect is fibromyalgia... pain in joints and muscles not otherwise explained, IBS, etc. They just keep testing me instead of coming to that conclusion. It's really frustrating! ...and I was in the hospital recently for a headache SO bad they gave me dilaudid and it did nothing. Then, when I told them that, they looked at me like I was drug-seeking! ....and my MOM was in the room with me! I was so insulted. I believe educating yourself IS arming yourself, despite the results.