Hi everyone. As some of you know Bridgette came home about 1 1/2 months ago. Things here at home have been a roller coaster since then. We are trying to get her psych dr to understand that Brigette as well as us believe her meds are not working. She doesn't seem to want to listen to what either of us have to say, she just sits there and writes out another script. She was denied for her adult SS disability. That was a joke in itself, the SS office sent her to be evaluated by a psych of thier choice, he seen her for literally 8 minutes, asked her some questions and determined that she should be a fully functionally adult. He didn't see the manic moods, the nights she is up all night that I am up with her because she is so down on herself that she wants to hurt herself. He doesn't see the constant struggle she has with what non bipolar people would consider "normal" events. I tried to get her tested by another psych to see if there were other issues going on with the bipolar but not doc around here will test her because they won't take her insurance, the best part is... if I wanted to pay cash for the testing they still won't test her because she has insurance. So I can't even pay cash for her to see a doctor.

At first things were good with her home. She and the other kids were adjusting well then her cycling began. I feel so bad for her and I would in a heart beat take this roller coaster she is on and ride it for her. it breaks my heart that she is suffering so and I can't even get her own dr to help her. We have another appt with her at the end of the month, which is when I am going to explain everything once again except this time I am going to make sure she understands.. If she won't do anything than I will seek another psych for her even if it means I have to find one in a neighboring state. To avoid the insurance issue.

I am back in school for fall semester. I have one semester left before I begin my clinicals. This semester is full of science, history, nursing and some required library class. Between school and the family I don't have much time for anything else. Just thought I would give you all an update and any suggestions any of you could give regarding her doctor would be GREATLY APPRECIATED....

Sorry it has taken me so long to give you guys an update. I hope you and yours had a great summer and an even greater fall to come.

Jen

It's really good to hear from you, Jen, even if we all wish the news were better. It's so frustrating trying to get through to some of these medicos who think they know all the answers with no inputs from us--or often even from their patients. Good luck in getting thru; you will need every bit of your determination.

Others with more experience will have suggestions. I just wanted to say I've thought of you & am glad for the update.

Take care.


C.G.

Dear Jen,
hi there and thank you for the update.
I was wondering if she had a therapist? someone else to help you guys thru this med rollar coaster. The tdoc could go to bat for her with the pdoc, this approach might work better if the pdoc is not listening to you.
If you feel this way then I would not wait to start to seek another opinion. some times it takes awhile to get in...you might need a month to get in or even longer.
keep us posted.
((((HUGS))))
bizi

Hi,

Are you keeping daily written or electronic record of her moods, symptoms, and side effects? You can google "mood chart" for some samples. These can be effective in communicating to the pdoc.
If there is a way you can get her father to come to the appointments with you, that could make all the difference in the world. Some doctors take men more seriously than they do women.

Leaving this pdoc and driving will be worth it to your daughter and the rest of the family.

Are you studying nursing?

M

Dear Ginnie,

You can post her meds here. Some of us might have some insight or useful questions.

Is she sleeping?
Is she eating? Doing any exercise like walking?

Congrats on completing soon this phase of your schooling.

M

Yes I am studying nursing. Wish I would of listened to my parents and went to

Bridgettes meds are as follows:

15 mg of abilify 5 in am and 10 in pm.
50 mg of trazodone

she was on Litihium but because of side effects the doctor took her off of them and never replaced them with anything else. Her father does go to appointments with us and she won't even listen to him. Last night was another roller coaster she got very angry and out of control over something that most people would not. Last week she hit my 15 year old daughter while we were not home. She ended up leaving for 6 hours and then coming back. AFter she blows up she is sorry when she calms down she then realizes what she did/said.

She wants to goto college after she graduates high school but I am not so sure she will be able to handle the stress that goes along with college if we do not get her meds adjusted. I will call around later today and try to find her another pscyh. As far as the therapist, she won't see one. She refuses to even talk about it said she doesn't want to feel more of a freak than she already does. It breaks my heart because no matter how much her father and I try to explain to her she isn't a freak and bipolar is something that isn't her fault. We even tried to tell her its a disease in the sense of like diabetes but she sees it as so much worse.

Thank you for all the support and the suggestions I appreciate it and I promise to try to keep you all updated more often.

Jen

Dear Jen

welcome back. it sounds as though, all things considered, you are doing quite well... you are doing all of the right things. I am glad that Bridgette has come back home, where you can monitor things, and that her dad is participating in her care.

I agree with scouting out a different psychiatrist sooner than later as appointments can require a long wait indeed. As far as talking to her doctor, and especially a new doctor, i would put things in writing. For the new doctor, i might try to write up a one or two page history in writing, including significant symptoms (such as sleeplessness, rage outbursts, self-injury or thoughts of that, euphoria....) and the typical time span for each cycle. Include age of onset, whether there are any times of "normal" mood, and describe her "normal" mood.

Keeping a mood chart for current events will help you and the doctor also, in the long run. Several are available online which you can use or modify. I would personally suggest including day 1 of her menses in there, because that can affect mood, and if it does, it will become evident from the chart. i also have a notes column in mine for significant stressors and unusual activities.

that sucks about the testing but i have to think there must be a away around it. generally they would bill to insurance and you would pay anything not covered.... have you tried that angle?

Sorry to hear about the violence at home. Do you have a plan in place to have adult supervision at all times at this point? That must be hard with school.

Kudos for your continuing with school through all this. Nursing is a noble profession. I'm keeping you and your family in my thoughts.

~ waves ~

Jen

I'm going to suggest that you appeal the SSI adult decision, if you haven't already put this in writing do so now. THere are lots of steps to this.

I would also look into the psychiatrist in the other states that might be close enough, that take your insurance. In some area's this will work.


But most of all I would work on finding some one now, don't wait.
Also just keep doing what you are. You are doing a great job.

Donna

Is the trazadone for sleeping? is she sleeping?
I would insist that she be put on a mood stabilizer abilify by itself is not working.
keep us posted
bizi

HI,
For the sake of the other children in the house, find a psychiatrist who is more aggressive.

She only needs the therapist as a means to getting better. She does not really have to do talk therapy as she imagines it. The tdoc will become her advocate in dealing with the new pdoc.

M