ptsd Should I Be Concerned?

[coastie72]

I was just released today from a Psych Unit after a one week stay.

My current rating is 60%; 10% Tinnitus and 50% MDD secondary to Tinnitus/PTSD.

I have now been put on Latuda (Lurasidone ) and Lithium as treatment for Bipolar Depression.

Dr's, orders Latuda 60 mg at bedtime for Bipolar Depression.

""""""""""" Lithium SR300 mg at bedtime for mood stabilization and suicidal ideation.

""""""""""" Prazosin 2 mg at bedtime for nightmares.

I'm not feeling very positive about this Bipolar diagnosis.

I have been considering asking for an increase, now I am unsure.

Opinions Please,

Coastie72

[coastie72]

Thanks Broncovet.

Yes I understand all that information, I just don't like a diagnosis of Bipolar when I know that I am not Bipolar>>>>>>>> My wife has been seeing a Psych Dr. for over 15 years, the same one. He told her today that PTSD can bring out Bipolar II and its symptom's. He also told her something that those Doctors did not, but john999 did above about monitoring the blood@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

I can't believe I had to hear that from fellow vets and my wife's shrink.

Just for the record she had a mental breakdown around 18 years ago. I thought I was the problem, but her issues came from a bad childhood and it turned out that I was her glue.

[broncovet]

With all due respect, coastie, I would not worry too much whether they refer to you as "bipolar" or that u use "2 fishing poles", since I guess "bi" means 2. Now if they said you had a "personality disorder" where they tried to hornswaggle you out of your benefits then I would be upset. But I would not worry about what some doc says about you, bipolar or whatever, I have been called much worse.

[Berta]

"He told her today that PTSD can bring out Bipolar II and its symptom's. He also told her something that those Doctors did not, but john999 did above about monitoring the blood@@@@@@@@@@@@@@"

is it possible the wife's shrink would be willing to do an IMO based on the Bi polar as secondary to the PTSD????

Maybe I sounded to0 negative at first here Coastie, because I often see a diagnosis change as some way VA might try to get out of the SC diagnosis with a new bogus NSC diagnosis.

But also this might be a way to get more comp out of them.

Are you still being prescribed meds for the PTSD or did they change that too?

[Pete53]

Forget the diagnosis many of the Mood Disorders share symptoms. The fact that you are getting help makes me glad. By the way lithium requires good monitoring by labs and sometimes the VA is piss poor in following up on the labs required. I hope that you are scheduled to see someone to monitor the meds and your condition on a regular basis.

Pete

[coastie72]

Thanks Berta and Pete53,

I doubt I could get an IMO from my wife's Psych Dr, but I'll get an independent one done if necessary.

Pete53 I am concerned about the lab work as well. I got a call today about lab work on the 28th of May and appointment with VA Primary on the 29th.

I don't know if that is soon enough or not.

I can say this for certain, I am having trouble going to sleep on this medication and that is just the opposite of what I was told. I went to bed around 2300 last night which is late for me

and was still awake an hour later. Then I was WIDE awake at 0400 this morning. I am exhausted.

I did go by the DAV office and put in for an increase this morning, so we will see how that turns out. My DAV VSO is very good and in high demand but he said the same thing as you Pete53, not to worry about the diagnosis or what they may call it.

Berta, unless Lithium or Lurasidone is for PTSD then no, I am not taking any other MH Meds now.

Coastie