We've got a number of related threads going right now. So, I could add to one of those. But, I don't wish to detract from what the original posters' thoughts were to focus on me and my questions. So, I'm starting a new, related thread.
Here's part of my story:
After experiencing both a manic event and a depressive event, I was dx with "bipolar, secondary to MS" in 2004. I don't think the dx "fits" me, because that was the only depression I've ever experienced in my life. I don't believe it was related to bi-polar, but that it was just very "situational".
However, I have had multiple manic episodes. They only occur during MS flares. They used to be fairly serious. But, since I switched from a different injectable MS med to Copaxone, I've had less frequent flares, and less severe flares. This has also resulted in my manic episodes being much more manageable. In the past, they required hospitalization in a mental health facility. They no longer progress to requiring that. I have not been hospitalized since 2010. It used to be once or twice a year.
In the years when my manic episodes were severe, we were often frustrated that doctors did not know how to "treat" them.
Over time, they learned that steroids helped, not hurt my symptoms. They didn't ever learn that the mental health meds didn't seem to work. I switched from a neurologist to an MS Specialist in 2008, and I suspect that she knows a lot more about the combination of MS and mood disorders. But, I haven't had big problems for a lot of years, so I haven't really had the need to test that out.
Here are some of my questions:
Here's part of my story:
After experiencing both a manic event and a depressive event, I was dx with "bipolar, secondary to MS" in 2004. I don't think the dx "fits" me, because that was the only depression I've ever experienced in my life. I don't believe it was related to bi-polar, but that it was just very "situational".
However, I have had multiple manic episodes. They only occur during MS flares. They used to be fairly serious. But, since I switched from a different injectable MS med to Copaxone, I've had less frequent flares, and less severe flares. This has also resulted in my manic episodes being much more manageable. In the past, they required hospitalization in a mental health facility. They no longer progress to requiring that. I have not been hospitalized since 2010. It used to be once or twice a year.
- I suspect a "mood disorder, secondary to MS" dx would be more accurate. But, I haven't had a need to see a psychiatrist for years, so I haven't had the opportunity to be re-diagnosed.
In the years when my manic episodes were severe, we were often frustrated that doctors did not know how to "treat" them.
- My neurologist wanted the psychiatrists to decide what to do because he wasn't familiar with mental health being a symptom of MS.
- The psychiatrists were not successful at treating the manic episodes, because they attempted to treat them as a mental health issue, not as an MS issue. The mental health meds they gave me were not effective. The only thing that seemed to work was to treat the MS flare with steroids and wait for the flare to end. And, the psychiatrists were reluctant to support the use of steroids because, usually they are more likely to induce mania than to end it.
Over time, they learned that steroids helped, not hurt my symptoms. They didn't ever learn that the mental health meds didn't seem to work. I switched from a neurologist to an MS Specialist in 2008, and I suspect that she knows a lot more about the combination of MS and mood disorders. But, I haven't had big problems for a lot of years, so I haven't really had the need to test that out.
Here are some of my questions:
- Are there any parts of my story that seem similar to your stories?
- When do bipolar symptoms or manic symptoms occur? Just during an MS flare? Or anytime?
- Who decides how to treat your bipolar symptoms? Your neurlolgist? Your psychiatrist? Other?
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