4 replies to this topic

[shallow_water]

After 2yrs of total struggling and 9 doctors I decided to see a psychiatrist. I was diagnosed formally on Feb 5 with N. My psych told me it is common for bipolar ,depression, and epilepsy to be confused with N. I began proper treatment immediately with Ritalin. Because i am super sensitive to any meds i was started on a low dose of 5mg X 3 daily. I followed up with the psych every 4 weeks. My ritalin went up to 20mg X 3 daily but i could not handle that dose so I backed down to 10mg X 3 daily. On a recent visit I was a mess I had a tooth abcess, my monthly visitor, and an ear infection, also on that day my hubby and i had a disagreement, so by the time i got to the doc I was an utter mess. I could barely hold my eyes open, my neck was stiff from holding my head up,it took all my energy just to sit and talk with him. he decided it would be wise to add an antidepressant to my med list. i began taking that and slowly began to feel alive. By day 5 of the ad and ritalin I began to see a flicker of my old self and have remained more alert than i had in the last few years.

On my last visit I explained to the doc how the addition of the AD helped my mood to stabalize therefore causing less cataplexy. I also have less pain in my neck. When the visit was finished he filled out a slip for the receptionist for my visit and I noticed instead of putting N as the dx he now had depression. He was already in with another patient by the time i noticed this so i could not ask him if he totally chnged the dx or jjust added another. I don't know what to make of it.

What do I do now? I thought cataplexy was a definate for a N dx- My mlst did not show rem but I did fall asleep in less than 7 minutes for each of the 5 naps.

How would you handle this?

Thanks-

[greatbig47]

How would you handle this?

Thanks-

Tell your psych that it's more common that N gets wrongly diagnosed as bipolar ,depression, and epilepsy...and that he better be sure of HIS diagnosis.

What if the meds your taking stop working? I'll look into my magic crystal ball and tell you EXACTLY what your Psych would say...I'm predicting he'd either say, "Oh...well the dosage might not be affective" or "Well, let's try another medication"

Besides making Tom Cruise look sane, many Psychs ignore you when you tell them things like, "I pass out when I laugh" or "My sleeping habits ar very abnormal". They don't care. They don't push the drugs that fix THOSE problems.

If you were diagnosed with "N", you are narcoleptic. *look out, opinion coming straight from personal experience* Does you psychiatrist address your narcolepsy, other than pish-posh it away? They think they can cure everything with their magic beans...

Sleepiness=Depression=Prozac
Saddness=Bipolar Disorder=Zyprexa
Hallucinations=Shizophrenia=Risperdal

What makes his coat whiter? *okay...I'll get off the soap box*

Personally, I'd find someone that knew what narcolepsy is.

Sorry about the opinion...I've had my life turned upside down by psychiatrist who think they walk on water.

-Stu

[gladtoknow]

You could be depressed, but that doesn't mean you don't have N. Your N w/C could be the CAUSE of your depression. I know it did for me. Was the slip he filled out re: the rx or your general dx? Maybe he put depression to support the ad rx...?? I'd clarify w/him.

[shallow_water]

Thank you both for your replies.

Stu; Actually it was the psychiatrist who diagnosed me with N. All the other doctors including my sleep doctor wanted to treat me for bipolar. The last straw was an arrogant Neurologist who told me I was under too much stress and that I should stop searching for a white elephant! So I have alot of faith in the psych for treating my N.


Glad to know; You were right! I decided to call the office and find out the scoop. They explained that since a prescription for anti-d was given they used the depression dx for that specific visit and that they did not change the N dx just added another one to my file.

I fought so long and hard and even had surgery to find this answer and the thought of anything new would set me back to square one when I had no clue what was happening and honestly fearing I had alzheimers. I should have waited for an answer from the doc instead of "thinking" too much.

Thanks again for your responses.

[greatbig47]

Wow...Sounds like your in good hands

Sorry again about the shouting. Like I said...It got me pretty good.

Gladtoknow...Glad you know!

-Stu