Expert: Libby Bonner - 5/16/2009

Question
Hi I was wondering if you could tell me has a link been made between suffering an anaphalactic reaction and being treated with two vials of adrenalin and having resulting bipolar disorder.This happened to me years ago and I was not given cortisone the same day as the adrenaline.Afterwards I found that I was subject to wild swings between depression and elation and I also became unable to continue my C programming studies as I couldn't think in the same way about how to solve the problems.previously i was intelligent and passing all my studies.i would be most grateful for any information you could give me and any sites you could refer me to for more information.By the way i was recently diagnosed type two diabetic and I wonder if you could tell me why if I drink a can of coke i am unable to stop gambling.Carolyn

Answer
I looked through the MEDLINE/Pub Med database for 10 yrs and fine no reports of bipolar preceded byanaphylaxis.  I suspect it was coincidence.

As to the treatment of anaphylaxis, you imply that cortisone should have followed the administration of adrenaline.  I simply don't know what the protocol for treatment is, or was in the past.

I suspect that you are not on meds??  Have you been on meds, had any success w/ them w/ symptom control?

I have not clue about diabetes, Coke, and gambling, but my guess is that the Coke does not trigger the gambling.

If you should write again, pls let me know the date of your anaphylacitc reaction and the date when your bipolar disorder began -- your ages for each and the dates.  I would also be interested to know what bipolar meds you take.

Bipolar disrupts many lives terribly and I'm sorry that it disrupted yours, and continues to.  I hope you will consider/reconsider meds, if you are not on them now.