Misdiagnosis?

[worrysomemore]

hello i was wondering if anyone has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and found out that they ARE NOT bipolar? I have been on seroquel for a month, and other than sleeping like crazy i have had no changes in my depression, agitation and anxiety. I have recently fired my psychiatrist because he would not listen to me and insisted that I keep raising my doseage even though it was bringing about the WORST symptoms, and now my family practitioner said she thinks I am not bipolar and need to get back to a regular ssri medication so we are trying to decide which one to use. I tried Zoloft and had a terrible experience with it but have also used Paxil CR in the past and had great results. I cannot use the paxil CR while pregnant so i am wondering which SSRI to pick. any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your support.

[CleverKittyX]

I was diagnosed bipolar in 2004. I've had a constant battle trying to find meds that work for me, never being on the same cocktail longer than three months. A month ago, I met with a new psychiatrist. He recognized that my "onset" of symptoms occurred the night that my husband cheated on me. When I found out I locked myself in the bathroom, went bonkers, and haven't been the same sense. My dr suggested that I was a consumer of PTSD, not bipolar. Apparently, their symptoms are similar and can be misdiagnosed.
I got off all my meds last month and feel very, very stable. Has anyone heard of PTSD/Bipolar misdiagnosis??  

[xanweaner]

Yes, my pdoc diagnosed me with bp after I had only one episode of mania after undergoing mutliple drug trials with SSRI's. I knew intuitively that I was not bp, as I have never had an episode of mania again....my moods do not go up and down; I don't fit the criteria used for bpolar, as I've done quite a bit of research on the subject.

I don't know the safest drug to take for depression and anxiety while pregnant - have you considered looked into other options besides the SSRI's? Again, I don't have any of the safety data for pregnancy - your family practioner may be able to assist you with this.

I'm glad that you switched from your Dr. - it's very difficult to work with a physician if they are not listening to you.

Good luck, and I hope you feel better...

[worrysomemore]

did you have any problems with anxiety as well?

[triedeverymed]

I was on Prozac while pregnant and I spoke to 3 ObGyn's and 2 psychiatrists before I made that decsion. It had the most safety data or data in general and now has another 10 years worth so when they started the studies those babies are now in there late 30's. I felt comfortable because otherwise I would have been on Xanax which is very harmful to a growing baby. I chose the safest option.
Some docs refuse to be told how to run their practice so if I were you, I would see another doctor for another diagnosis. I have a real problem tolerating SSRI's so I know how you feel. I have to be on a mood elevator and the only one that I can tolerate is Abilify, that took away my need for an SSRI. Not that I might not need something along with it later on but right now it works for me. Prozac worked for 10 years no problems and then it stopped working and I went on Cymbalta for a few years then it wasn't helping my depression and I was re-diagnosed then. I feel much better now.
Try another opinion & best of luck,
Erin