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blackcondor
Starting Member

7 Posts
Gratitude: 1

Posted - 01/11/2008 : 10:47:30

Hi folks.

I have been diagnosed as Bi-Polar for a while. My Bi-Polar is mostly
depression. I am on Abilify (aripiprazole) and Lamictal (lamotrigine) for my condition. I have never been on Lithium.
However, I have just been diagnosed with hypothyroid. I have seen on the internet that hypothyroid causes depression.

My question is: can it be possible that I am not so Bi-Polar after all? No biggie if I am Bi-Polar, but would be nice to know if I were not.

radiant
Starting Member

17 Posts
Gratitude: 1

Posted - 03/30/2008 : 02:14:25

Hi

I'm new to my diagnosis as well and I still question the alphabet soup - BP I, PTSD, ADD, OCD, acute PMS, 4 traumatic head injuries, a former history of drug and alcohol abuse, and childhood related pathology. My dad suffered the same problem BP I and went undiagnosed until his 40s. That's exactly my story. Even w/ his insistence that I get some help years ago, I am very high functioning, stubborn and formerly, deeplyin denial! The tricky deal for me w/ the meds is this: I felt "wow" so this is what I've been missing. I had no idea what kind of mental anguish I'd needlessly been dragging around and living in for most of my life. Then after 3-4 months the overachiever in me says, "Hey, I'm feeling better, I bet I can get off these awful drugs (Depakote has made me lose much of my hair.) Danger - that's the trick. Once you get too confident, speaking for myself ofcouse, the risk are paramount. My Drs and all support people have told me that it take at least one year, if not 2-4 years to determine where you might fall on the scale of mental illness or depression.

I have a question for you about hypothyroid condition Did you suffer any hair loss? The thyroid can cause that I've heard. I should have some blood work done.

Anyway - Good luck You've found a very supportive place to land here.

AudreyDisbury
Starting Member

10 Posts
Gratitude: 3

Posted - 08/06/2008 : 22:35:07

Hi,
About a year ago, when I was first diagnosed with severe depression, my therapist thought that my history indicated I may have bipolar disorder. I dismissed that suspicion. I thought I was being cautious, and not overreacting or trying to see things that weren't there. I've resisted doing any of the reading on bipolar disorder that my therapist recommended.

Recent events have caused the realization that she's right to creep in. A few weeks ago, when my Wellbutrin was discontinued and my Effexor was increased, I was suffering from a mixed episode: symptoms of depression and hypomania at the same time. Increasing my Lamictal (mood stabilizer) has made me feel better than any antidepressant ever has. And my financial problems, caused by overspending that I feel almost compelled to do, are exactly like those commonly experienced by bipolar people.

I bought a book on bipolar disorder, and realized that I can chart my moods over the last 12 years or so...and they're definitely cyclical, ranging from depression to mixed episodes or hypomania and back again. I can pinpoint to a month these changes over those 12 years--the shifts are that obvious. I read a wonderful book and I felt a knot in my gut, goosebumps formed, and my hair stood on end. I know in my heart and my head and my gut that this is what is really wrong.

[Links to outside commercial websites are automatically deleted by the administrator]

Zep
Incredible Member (2000+ posts)

2298 Posts
Gratitude: 536
Very caring Very wise Very honest

Posted - 08/07/2008 : 01:32:24

Does this seem like an advertisement to anyone else? Just in case I am misjudging you, AudreyDisbury, could you please explain why you would post a link about treatment for ovarian cysts in this topic?

Zep.

Fruitcup (inactive)
Incredible Member (2000+ posts)

2298 Posts
Gratitude: 604
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Posted - 08/07/2008 : 23:14:32

Hi Zep

Yes this link is on both posts...

Audreydisbury no offence meant but we don't post links to commercial sites and the administrator will remove it at his convenience...

as a new member you may not be aware of this condition of membership.

Best Wishes
Sue

stigmastomper (inactive)
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)

24317 Posts
Gratitude: 1940
Very caring Very wise Very funny Very honest I agree

Posted - 10/08/2008 : 09:04:02

welcome audrey . i just noticed you were here.

stigmastomper (inactive)
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)

24317 Posts
Gratitude: 1940
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Posted - 10/08/2008 : 09:06:23

hello black condor i got mixed up and thought this was audreys post.
welcome

magicknuts
Starting Member

1 Posts

Posted - 08/04/2009 : 14:17:24

Hi,

I'm new on here, and to be honest, I've not been diaganosed as bi-polar, tho think I maybe or have something similar.

But I also have thyroid issues, and yes it can cause hair loss =( unfortunately! If you think you may have thyroid issues, its just a simple blood test to find out, but don't leave it too long, I left it and left it and ended up having a stay at the hospital! But if you get it checked into fast then I'm sure you will be fine, especially if it is hypo, and not hyper like I originally was. But also look see if you have any other symptoms, like either dramatic weight gain or loss, I guess maybe mood swings and energy levels may depend on any other conditions you have, and also if you can't take heat or cold!

my problem is I went to my doc to try to discuss my depression and mood swings, and now all he wants to do is blame it on my thyroid! even though I've had dramatic mood swings since I was a kid! he didn't want to listen.

well hope u are all ok

x x x

L-J
Starting Member

1 Posts

Posted - 09/04/2009 : 13:41:44

quote:
Originally posted by blackcondor

Hi folks.

I have been diagnosed as Bi-Polar for a while. My Bi-Polar is mostly
depression. I am on Abilify (aripiprazole) and Lamictal (lamotrigine) for my condition. I have never been on Lithium.
However, I have just been diagnosed with hypothyroid. I have seen on the internet that hypothyroid causes depression.

My question is: can it be possible that I am not so Bi-Polar after all? No biggie if I am Bi-Polar, but would be nice to know if I were not.

BC,

With bipolar, there can be any number of "triggers" that can precipitate a manic/depressive episode. They do not cause the episode but can act as catalysts/triggers.

In women, this could be hormones - see Dr Christiane Northrup's book "The Wisdom of Menopause"

In all of us, they can be triggered by any stressful event - Joyous or sad. Hypo/hyper-thyroidism can certainly be one of these.

There is some research to support that thyroid imbalances could have led to bp miss-diagoses but that applies only to older people who have never had bp episodes before and there is still doubt whether in these people, the thyroid is a cause or effect of the condition.

warblaster
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)

112498 Posts

Posted - 05/28/2021 : 09:15:43