Thinking about swthing doctors...

cause my doc never can be reached on the weekends or vai e-mail... does anyone knows a good one around DC metro area?

OMG - I'm in the DC metro area. Funny. I am seeing a new Dr on the 13th, suggested to me by my current doctor actually, b/c he is supposed to be more of an expert on bipolar disorder. I like the one I have now, but she really is not as available as I woudl like. I will let you know if this new one works out. I think you really need a dr who can be reached any time in an emergency.

Thanks that would be awesome! I like my doctor but for 6 years I was only depressed now I was diagnosed ciclothimic and the medicine trials are driving me nuts I had the worst weekend and I needs her, she is on Georgetown University Hospital and when I call the emrgency line an resident called me back, I was so frustraded, I need a ral doctor, I was hadving so mUhc OCD that I though I was going insane!!!!!!! where is you doctor VA or MD? if u dont mind me asking

Thanks that would be awesome! I like my doctor but for 6 years I was only depressed now I was diagnosed ciclothimic and the medicine trials are driving me nuts I had the worst weekend and I needs her, she is on Georgetown University Hospital and when I call the emrgency line an resident called me back, I was so frustraded, I need a ral doctor, I was hadving so mUhc OCD that I though I was going insane!!!!!!! where is you doctor VA or MD? if u dont mind me asking

Thanks anyway!!! :)

She is currently in Maryalnd. I work for the federal gov't as an attorneyin DC so am seeing a new doctor in DC next week. I dont know who he is affiliated with, so I guess I'll find out. You do need a doctor who will call you back, thats crazy... in my worst days I would have had very bad times if my doctor did not call me back...

Plus this DR in MD took me off topamax and my mind has felt racy ever since. She won't listen to me when i tell her the good I had gotten out of takingit. Plus I lost weight. I am so irritated by that.

That's why I love tompamax, but I dont think its not enough as amood stablilizer, i might need something else. Is you doctor in MD responde your e-mails and calls over the wekends?

I have not had to call her over the weekend yet. But the one time I did call, she did not call back, one of the secretary's called back instead. That I didn't like. My Dr in Buffalo was better - she called me back every time...

i think Topomax was working well with the lamictal.

Do you have BP 1 or 2?

I have ciclothymia which is a milder type of bipolar disorder
which I think is BS cause I sufer a lof with the modd swings I just never got suicidal and got in trouble with money but I get ready sad and no motivation to work. what are u?

Apparently Bipolar 1, most recent episode mixed -moderate. I know, I looked the code up after my last appointment. But it is basically what I have been told before. I HAVE had money problems, hypersexuality problems, suicidal problems, have had major manic episodes, but the last one was a year ago and I didn't enter the hospital that time - although my doctor wanted me to go check myself in "just for a few days". I think not. I plan on never going back into the hospital if I can help it. I feel like I don't have anything in common with otehr bipolar people - maybe I just need to give people a chance, which is why I am talking here - to know someone else with this problem. Maybe I do have things in common...

I guess I sometimes think I am "better" psychologically than everyone else, but on another level I know that is ludicrous, but I have a hard time putting myself in the sick category. I never say the words pdoc, meds, etc or anything that makes me identify with the sick community. I think on some level that makes me even sicker because I cant let go and suck it up and realize I DO identify with everyone here. I do have BP disorder, as much as I wish i didn't.

I never been hospitalized, and never been suicidal but my depression is bad that I dont want to get out of bed, i get a lot og OCD and also panic attacks. I have been hypomanic and spend lots of money but managed not to get into much trouble and I have the a lot sof sexuality and slept around a bit when I was younger, never to extreme, but it hard on me, lots of emotions, its crazy I cicle super fast and got much worst since I had a baby. Doc says I sm ciclothimic but its the same treatment for bipolar disorder, I have been on treatment for depression for 6 years and nothing worked, it has been a struggle.

Well, I feel for you, and for everyone here. Truly. Ive been in treatment of one sort or another for 23 years. I think thats one reason why it gets to me so much. Imean how many YEARS do I have to deal with htis? Apparently forever. Forever is a hard word to swallow soemtimes.

Cahulaw
Maybe something like saying this to yourself sometimes might help.

"You have bipolar disorder but that doesn't mean that that's what you are. You are not your illness. You are not sick because sick can be cured. You have a chemical imbalance and simply need medication to supply the chemicals your brain doesn't naturally make.
That doesn't make you better or worse than anyone else. Some people just need different kinds of help to balance themselves out and a safe place to do so and it's smart to get that kind of help. It's not a sign of weakness to go to a mental ward when you need one, it's a sign of intelligence.It's also not a competition. You are you and the pills you take are just like taking supplements if your diet doesn't have everything you need. They keep you healthy."