Bipolar Disorder/just wondering

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Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 5/17/2008


Question
QUESTION: what is r/o bipolar d/o? i was just diagnosed and  how will it be treated,im very sensitive to meds,im currently taking 30mg of armourthyro please any info will help .

ANSWER: Hi Emma:

The diagnosis r/o bipolar d/o translates into rule out bipolar disorder.  Contrary to what it appears, this actually means  the doctor is considering bipolar disorder  at the moment but is not yet convinced that this is what you have.

I am afraid I can't tell you how the doctor plans on treating you as I have no idea of your medical history.  Most likely, some form of mood stabilizer will be tried.  My best advice would be to wait and see what medication you are given and then learn what you can about that particular medicine--and let your doctor know immediately if you have an adverse reaction to it.

         Joyce A.Anthony

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hi its me again,im very healthy aside of my hypothroid,other wise im just very sensitive to almost every medication im given.whats a person to do?ive tried many depression meds of course without a mood stsblelizer but just wondering if that will worsen because of my sensitivity with these types of drugs.im really scared.ive never stood with the program long enough,meds made me feel worse,i was more anxious and panic then ever before, is that why they give patients moodstablelizers?and are they really safe to take together?im really worried and scared.....   emma

Answer
Hello Emma:

Depression meds alone will cause a person with bipolar disorder to become anxious and jittery.  A mood stabilizer will eliminate that feeling.  The worst side effects usually last no longer than two weeks.  If you can make it through those two weeks, you will feel much better.  

I can understand you being worried and scared.  That is a very normal reaction when you first get diagnosed.  A mood stabilizer is perfectly safe to take with depression medicine.  In some cases, the doctor may even decide to try just the mood stabilizer.  Just try to make it through the first two weeks and you should be fine.

         Joyce A. Anthony

Bipolar Disorder

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Joyce A. Anthony

Expertise

I can answer questions dealing with bipolar disorder in a parent, yourself or your child. I can give suggestions and insight into what can be expected of many medications for bipolar disorder. My most extensive knowledge is in children with bipolar disorder. Here I can give advice on dealing with daily events, schools, medication and professionals.

Experience

I am the daughter of a bipolar/schizophrenic parent, am bipolar myself and am raising a bipolar child. I have a background in Psychology from Gannon University, have run several parenting classes for those parenting bipolar children and have had extensive experience with medications, the school system, homeschooling a special needs child, dealing with counselors, doctors and other professionals in the mental health field. I write for a bipolar website, with the focus on educating the child with bipolar disorder on his/her illness.

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