bluesfan,

Actually, I was aware of the genetic predisposition to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
We covered the diathesis-stress model, explaining the necessity for both genetic predisposition and environmental trigger, relating specifically to schizophrenia in that instance, but it was assumed chromosomal rather than a mutation. I've always heard it described as the two essentially "being on the same chromosome", but having taken a look at the article already, this would explain that too, given SZ/BP (regardless of what subtype) are connected. Adds on the unipolar depression, which is also logical.

On my mother's side, my great-grandfather was schizophrenic, my grandmother was schizoaffective (mood disorder+schizophrenia), my mother is unipolar depressive though suspected BPII, and I'm diagnosed BPII. I'll need to re-read it a few times, take note of the specific mutations and at which base pairs they occur that have a stronger correlation with psychiatric disorders. It was noted that some had no correlation while others suggested the mutation was a potential cause.

Thank you. This is interesting. Very very interesting.

Hi Jessie

Glad that article was of use - you're clearly far more knowledgeable on the specific medical terminology than I am - I can usually manage to decipher the basic gist of most abstracts - enough to know if they may be relevant or not - but the heavy technical stuff is often beyond me - your explanation helped clarify it some more. That's what I love about this website - everyone's willingness to share and learn from each other.

How are you doing, Pattern? I hope things are improving for you and you have set up some appointments to help you get to the bottom of what is going on with you. Check in when you can.

Tkrik,

Thank you for checking up on me. Saw the neurologist today. It was frustrating. I felt like I was being rushed for answers. I was confused, trying to pull the information so quickly... completely forgetting that I had it written in a notebook in my lap. He agreed with the conversion disorder diagnosis plain and simple, saying that the MRI from November being clear and the recent CT ruled everything neurological out. My mom agreed.

He ordered an MRI of the spinal cord simply because of my reflexes being/over-reactive too quick and other symptoms being consistent with bulging discs (I apparently almost kicked the dude when he checked knee reflexes; an incidental thing found completely unrelated to what I went for). I was urged to "pursue psychiatric treatment" despite not having the opportunity to remind him that I was currently doing so and had been for seven years.

So... to state it bluntly, it looks like I'm back to square "F--k You" in terms of knowing what's going on. Frustrated. Glad I don't have a neurological disorder. That's nice, but it doesn't put me closer to solving the problem and getting back to work. Been out for a month.

Thank you so much for your concern and your help through the matter.

-Jessie

I'm glad your mom was there to be your advocate. And, I have made notes, lists, etc. and brought them with me to discuss with the doctor only to forget about them once I am there. I am glad to hear that at this point they do not believe you have a neurological disease.

Going back to square one is not fun. There are so many diseases/illnesses that can mimic neurological disorders. I do hope they get to the bottom of things for you soon!

jessie,
what are you studying in college? you seem so detail oriented and science oriented. despite all that you're dealing with so have your ducks in a row.

what kind of work do you do if you don't mind me asking. don't answer if you prefer not to.

keep us posted. and, don't give up. you are your own best advocate. do you like your pcp? when you have a good one who you can relate to they can be very helpful.

Nurse Nancy,

I'm a clinical psychology major now, but I was first a dual foreign language major (Russian and Japanese), then microbiology. I also grew up with an ER and an ICU/Cardiac ICU nurse, so I got a lot of medical knowledge dumped into my head from a young age. X3 Thank you though, I appreciate the compliment.

I'm currently a barista at Starbucks and an employee at a taco place here that I was once a manager at for two years, worked at for three years total. Going to leave that place again. Kind of sucks.

Thank you again for your help. Right now, they're just sticking to Conversion Disorder; however, they are checking for cervical myelopathy as an incidental finding related to the drop in the right leg, tingling, muscle weakness in the the right arm and back, pain in the back, muscle twitches in the right arm, and the random tingling and pin-prick sensations. ...The bottoms of my feet also tingle to the point of burning, especially when he was checking the reflexes of the ankles... which he did twice because he noticed something. That was odd. And unpleasant. Tried to tell him. Ignored me because of the stutter. -_______________________________-

They did put me on 25mg metoprolol succinate ER for the 6 months of tachycardia. Heart rate between 104-134bpm, avg... 120ish. Down to 76bpm after two doses. That must have been my sleeping HR, because I am tired a lot as my body readjusts to a normal HR after six months of my waking HR being >100bpm. >-> From what I understand, average sleeping HR is somewhere between 40-50bpm... so it would make sense that mine, tachycardic, would be between 60-80bpm sleeping, and my body now is like "WOMAN, you should be sleeping. WHY ARE YOU DOING THINGS?" and thinks I'm sleeping or somewhere in stage one sleep. Meaning I can't drive because I'm essentially half asleep.

I absolutely LOVE my PCP; she's the best. She's a PA though. And my psychiatrist is actually an NP, though he's getting me into an MD given I'm unfortunately out of his scope of practice (Bipolar II, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, ADHD, probable Borderline Personality Disorder, Conversion Disorder, and specific phobia) on top of a very finicky brain chemistry. ...Honestly, I dislike MDs. It's very hard for me to find MDs that I like... That may be in part to growing up with two nurses, and my older sister is now a postpartum nurse, too.


...Sorry about the long-winded response. I have been hypomanic for a while now, so I don't shut up. ^-^''' Thank you again for checking up on me! <3