questions
Question:
I left one out—also OCD. As if one needed more possibilities, right?! K
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Awhile ago it was also found that ADHD/ADD and Tourette Syndrome are genetically linked, and one researcher postulated he thought the future would bring findings that alchoholism and certain conduct disorders were also present because of genetics in people w/ TS. So many troubles, so little actual knowledge. I go along with your idea, Gandalf, that as long as a person has to deal with problems, it’s not overly helpful to label them all–beyond the basic understanding of how something is likely to affect thinking and behavior. That’s the real key. I can’t tell you how many years I spent trying to figure out what was TS, what was ADD, what was developmental delay, what was depression, what was alchoholism, and what was my true kid! It did help me when I learned enough about the TS and alchoholism to understand I could separate the behaviors from the boy—I could hate the problems and love the kid, which is all I wanted to do in the first place. Kathy Connie, There is genetic evidence that BP and ADHD run in the same families and so may share some of the same nuts and bolts genetically. I am BP 1 and have one brother diagnosed ADHD as child and another half-brother just dx ADD. Why can’t you have both BP and ADHD? My motto regarding all "labels" is that I will accept one if it is helpful to me — if the label means that I know what medications help with my symptoms, if the label helps me understand my past instead of beating up myself. What I would do if I were you is go to the DSM-IV definition of ADHD, and also look at the definition of ADD. Then check yourself against the criteria. If it appears that you meet the criteria, then I would sit down and come up with several examples of how I have met each criteria. THEN I would bring it up. Although it is a shame that you hesitate to bring this up. A trusting relationship with our psychiatrists is a godsend. Once I find one that I can work with I stay put. I am on lithium and haven’t experienced the wierd taste side effect. Just rabid thirst. Good wishes, -Gandalf Hi all, I lurk here alot. Actuallly afraid to post. I’ve been treating my BP with lithium for the past 3 yrs.I’ve tried alot of meds for my deprssion and none seem to work longer than 6 months.The lithium works great for my moods.Recently I read an article on adults with ADHD who didn’t know they had it. I have all of the symptoms they listed. My question, how do I bring this up to my pdoc without sounding like I’m a hyperchondriac? She has always listened to my input and let me decide which meds to take. Another question,the lithium has made most foods and caffinated drinks taste really bad. I gladly gave up the sweets since I’m overweight, but giving up my coffee is different. I’ve told my pdoc,but she says it’ll go away. Well it hasn’t in 2 yrs now. Each day is a guess at what I’m able to eat. Does anyone hav any ideas? Th anks for all your help. Sorry so long. Connie
Response:
permanently into the ether: Another question,the lithium has made most foods and caffinated drinks taste really bad. I gladly gave up the sweets since I’m overweight, but giving up my coffee is different. I’ve told my pdoc,but she says it’ll go away. Well it hasn’t in 2 yrs now. Each day is a guess at what I’m able to eat. Does anyone hav any ideas? Thanks for all your help. Sorry so long.
Welcome to our group, Connie! Your post was SHORT! 
Lithium can give you a metallic taste that can mess with how food/drinks taste. It usually does wear off after several months. I get it now and again–but it sounds like your issue is longer lasting. Squiggles runs a lithium support group–maybe there are more answers there for you–because I can’t remember what other people do around here! LOL You can also search our archives. HTH, Nancy administrator/creator/moderator alt.med.fibromyalgia.recovery.info (moderated) alt.support.depression.manic.moderated to email me from news groups, just remove the Z.
Response:
Connie, There is genetic evidence that BP and ADHD run in the same families and so may share some of the same nuts and bolts genetically. I am BP 1 and have one brother diagnosed ADHD as child and another half-brother just dx ADD. Why can’t you have both BP and ADHD? My motto regarding all "labels" is that I will accept one if it is helpful to me — if the label means that I know what medications help with my symptoms, if the label helps me understand my past instead of beating up myself. What I would do if I were you is go to the DSM-IV definition of ADHD, and also look at the definition of ADD. Then check yourself against the criteria. If it appears that you meet the criteria, then I would sit down and come up with several examples of how I have met each criteria. THEN I would bring it up. Although it is a shame that you hesitate to bring this up. A trusting relationship with our psychiatrists is a godsend. Once I find one that I can work with I stay put. I am on lithium and haven’t experienced the wierd taste side effect. Just rabid thirst. Good wishes, -Gandalf
Hi all, I lurk here alot. Actuallly afraid to post. I’ve been treating my BP with lithium for the past 3 yrs.I’ve tried alot of meds for my deprssion and none seem to work longer than 6 months.The lithium works great for my moods.Recently I read an article on adults with ADHD who didn’t know they had it. I have all of the symptoms they listed. My question, how do I bring this up to my pdoc without sounding like I’m a hyperchondriac? She has always listened to my input and let me decide which meds to take. Another question,the lithium has made most foods and caffinated drinks taste really bad. I gladly gave up the sweets since I’m overweight, but giving up my coffee is different. I’ve told my pdoc,but she says it’ll go away. Well it hasn’t in 2 yrs now. Each day is a guess at what I’m able to eat. Does anyone hav any ideas? Th anks for all your help. Sorry so long. Connie
Response:
That is so interesting talking about dx’s fitting. Ten years ago when I was given the diagnosis BP, I practically stood up and cheered. Fianlly all the hell I’d been going through was given a name. I could put an identity on it. In October, when I was given the BPD diagnosis, my reaction was the opposite. No matter how much I researched it and worked with it, it is not what is wrong with me. What frightened me the most was the diagnosing doctor’s recommendation that I receive NO medication because of it. If the diagnosis fit my problems, I would have accepted it willingly. I’ve had enough of them in my lifetime. This one just didn’t fit and I knew my mental health care could have been permanently affected. Fortunatly, my therapist and new pdoc looked beyond this and continued to treat my BP. Of course, this was AFTER I ended up going through an entire episode. I think most of know whether or not a diagnosis fits us, even if we don’t know the fine points of the DSM. colleen
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Connie, There is genetic evidence that BP and ADHD run in the same families and so may share some of the same nuts and bolts genetically. I am BP 1 and have one brother diagnosed ADHD as child and another half-brother just dx ADD. Why can’t you have both BP and ADHD? My motto regarding all "labels" is that I will accept one if it is helpful to me — if the label means that I know what medications help with my symptoms, if the label helps me understand my past instead of beating up myself. What I would do if I were you is go to the DSM-IV definition of ADHD, and also look at the definition of ADD. Then check yourself against the criteria. If it appears that you meet the criteria, then I would sit down and come up with several examples of how I have met each criteria. THEN I would bring it up. Although it is a shame that you hesitate to bring this up. A trusting relationship with our psychiatrists is a godsend. Once I find one that I can work with I stay put. I am on lithium and haven’t experienced the wierd taste side effect. Just rabid thirst. Good wishes, -Gandalf Hi all, I lurk here alot. Actuallly afraid to post. I’ve been treating my BP with lithium for the past 3 yrs.I’ve tried alot of meds for my deprssion and none seem to work longer than 6 months.The lithium works great for my moods.Recently I read an article on adults with ADHD who didn’t know they had it. I have all of the symptoms they listed. My question, how do I bring this up to my pdoc without sounding like I’m a hyperchondriac? She has always listened to my input and let me decide which meds to take. Another question,the lithium has made most foods and caffinated drinks taste really bad. I gladly gave up the sweets since I’m overweight, but giving up my coffee is different. I’ve told my pdoc,but she says it’ll go away. Well it hasn’t in 2 yrs now. Each day is a guess at what I’m able to eat. Does anyone hav any ideas? Th anks for all your help. Sorry so long. Connie
Response:
Awhile ago it was also found that ADHD/ADD and Tourette Syndrome are genetically linked, and one researcher postulated he thought the future would bring findings that alchoholism and certain conduct disorders were also present because of genetics in people w/ TS. So many troubles, so little actual knowledge. I go along with your idea, Gandalf, that as long as a person has to deal with problems, it’s not overly helpful to label them all–beyond the basic understanding of how something is likely to affect thinking and behavior. That’s the real key. I can’t tell you how many years I spent trying to figure out what was TS, what was ADD, what was developmental delay, what was depression, what was alchoholism, and what was my true kid! It did help me when I learned enough about the TS and alchoholism to understand I could separate the behaviors from the boy—I could hate the problems and love the kid, which is all I wanted to do in the first place. Kathy
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Connie, There is genetic evidence that BP and ADHD run in the same families and so may share some of the same nuts and bolts genetically. I am BP 1 and have one brother diagnosed ADHD as child and another half-brother just dx ADD. Why can’t you have both BP and ADHD? My motto regarding all "labels" is that I will accept one if it is helpful to me — if the label means that I know what medications help with my symptoms, if the label helps me understand my past instead of beating up myself. What I would do if I were you is go to the DSM-IV definition of ADHD, and also look at the definition of ADD. Then check yourself against the criteria. If it appears that you meet the criteria, then I would sit down and come up with several examples of how I have met each criteria. THEN I would bring it up. Although it is a shame that you hesitate to bring this up. A trusting relationship with our psychiatrists is a godsend. Once I find one that I can work with I stay put. I am on lithium and haven’t experienced the wierd taste side effect. Just rabid thirst. Good wishes, -Gandalf Hi all, I lurk here alot. Actuallly afraid to post. I’ve been treating my BP with lithium for the past 3 yrs.I’ve tried alot of meds for my deprssion and none seem to work longer than 6 months.The lithium works great for my moods.Recently I read an article on adults with ADHD who didn’t know they had it. I have all of the symptoms they listed. My question, how do I bring this up to my pdoc without sounding like I’m a hyperchondriac? She has always listened to my input and let me decide which meds to take. Another question,the lithium has made most foods and caffinated drinks taste really bad. I gladly gave up the sweets since I’m overweight, but giving up my coffee is different. I’ve told my pdoc,but she says it’ll go away. Well it hasn’t in 2 yrs now. Each day is a guess at what I’m able to eat. Does anyone hav any ideas? Th anks for all your help. Sorry so long. Connie
Response:
Why can’t you have both BP and ADHD? My motto regarding all "labels" is that I will accept one if it is helpful to me — if the label means that I know what medications help with my symptoms, if the label helps me understand my past instead of beating up myself.
Are you asking why don’t people have both? I was diagnosed with both ADHD and BP1 Mixed by different doctors. I have a cousin who has autism. He is impossible to deal with. My mom was mentally ill but other than that, everyone else in the family is normal. I don’t know where I’m going with this, sorry. I understand about the labels. I accept them if more than one friend or doctor sees the same thing in me. The most important thing is control wich is something I lack 80% of. Without control it is hard to accept labels because you aren’t aware of your symptoms, at least I’m not, and you’ll have to trust other sources instead of beating myself up also. If I’m way off, then ignore me. ALex —– Sorry if my intent was not clear. My intention in asking this question was to say "it IS possible to have both, have you considered that possibility?" Just as we can have BP and high cholesterol, or schiz. and depression. -Gandalf
Response:
permanently into the ether: Although it is a shame that you hesitate to bring this up. A trusting relationship with our psychiatrists is a godsend. Once I find one that I can work with I stay put.
My therapist thinks I also have ADHD. We talked about it and what treatments there are and how much it interfered with my life. We decided not to address the issue at this time. First, it does not interfere with my life very much. Second, I don’t want to add any medications to a mix that is working well for me. My therapist brought it up to me–I’d never considered it before. He knows me better than I know myself! WE have a loooong term relationship and I hope he NEVER retires! 
I have enough to research right now–so ADHD is a low priority for me–however, if it is interfering with your life–be honest and tell your pdoc or therapist. HTH, Nancy administrator/creator/moderator alt.med.fibromyalgia.recovery.info (moderated) alt.support.depression.manic.moderated to email me from news groups, just remove the Z.
Response:
Connie, There is genetic evidence that BP and ADHD run in the same families and so may share some of the same nuts and bolts genetically. I am BP 1 and have one brother diagnosed ADHD as child and another half-brother just dx ADD. Why can’t you have both BP and ADHD? My motto regarding all "labels" is that I will accept one if it is helpful to me — if the label means that I know what medications help with my symptoms, if the label helps me understand my past instead of beating up myself.
Are you asking why don’t people have both? I was diagnosed with both ADHD and BP1 Mixed by different doctors. I have a cousin who has autism. He is impossible to deal with. My mom was mentally ill but other than that, everyone else in the family is normal. I don’t know where I’m going with this, sorry. I understand about the labels. I accept them if more than one friend or doctor sees the same thing in me. The most important thing is control wich is something I lack 80% of. Without control it is hard to accept labels because you aren’t aware of your symptoms, at least I’m not, and you’ll have to trust other sources instead of beating myself up also. If I’m way off, then ignore me. ALex – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What I would do if I were you is go to the DSM-IV definition of ADHD, and also look at the definition of ADD. Then check yourself against the criteria. If it appears that you meet the criteria, then I would sit down and come up with several examples of how I have met each criteria. THEN I would bring it up. Although it is a shame that you hesitate to bring this up. A trusting relationship with our psychiatrists is a godsend. Once I find one that I can work with I stay put. I am on lithium and haven’t experienced the wierd taste side effect. Just rabid thirst. Good wishes, -Gandalf Hi all, I lurk here alot. Actuallly afraid to post. I’ve been treating my BP with lithium for the past 3 yrs.I’ve tried alot of meds for my deprssion and none seem to work longer than 6 months.The lithium works great for my moods.Recently I read an article on adults with ADHD who didn’t know they had it. I have all of the symptoms they listed. My question, how do I bring this up to my pdoc without sounding like I’m a hyperchondriac? She has always listened to my input and let me decide which meds to take. Another question,the lithium has made most foods and caffinated drinks taste really bad. I gladly gave up the sweets since I’m overweight, but giving up my coffee is different. I’ve told my pdoc,but she says it’ll go away. Well it hasn’t in 2 yrs now. Each day is a guess at what I’m able to eat. Does anyone hav any ideas? Th anks for all your help. Sorry so long. Connie
Response:
Hi all, I lurk here alot. Actuallly afraid to post. I’ve been treating my BP with lithium for the past 3 yrs.I’ve tried alot of meds for my deprssion and none seem to work longer than 6 months.The lithium works great for my moods.Recently I read an article on adults with ADHD who didn’t know they had it. I have all of the symptoms they listed. My question, how do I bring this up to my pdoc without sounding like I’m a hyperchondriac? She has always listened to my input and let me decide which meds to take.
If it were me and my shrink (who is, admittedly, someone I am lucky to have) I would bring the article with the bits that "sounded familiar" underlined. Since some manic symptoms resemble ADHD, you won’t sound like a hypochondriac even if she concludes you are wrong – it is a very reasonable sort of thing to suspct. JMO Emma
Response:
Hi all, I lurk here alot. Actuallly afraid to post. I’ve been treating my BP with lithium for the past 3 yrs.I’ve tried alot of meds for my deprssion and none seem to work longer than 6 months.The lithium works great for my moods.Recently I read an article on adults with ADHD who didn’t know they had it. I have all of the symptoms they listed. My question, how do I bring this up to my pdoc without sounding like I’m a hyperchondriac? She has always listened to my input and let me decide which meds to take.
My psychiatrist knew I had ADHD on my first visit as have the rest I’ve gone to. I guess they can tell, if its bad enough. I had no idea I had ADHD. He has me taking Adderall but told me on my last visit that there was something new coming out in a few weeks that will be better. Why don’t you mention what you think to your Pdoc. My doctor thinks I’m totally nuts but I still say whats on my mind if it means anything. My head gets warm when I focus for too long and I can’t read without constantly loosing my place. I’m forgetful and cannot pay attention. If someone is talking to me I’ll interrupt and say things that don’t match to what is being said. I try to finish sentences for people. I can’t remember the other things but if you have any of these you might want to say something to your pdoc. Also I believe all of this is related to bipolar to some degree. At least ADD. Good luck Alex – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Another question,the lithium has made most foods and caffinated drinks taste really bad. I gladly gave up the sweets since I’m overweight, but giving up my coffee is different. I’ve told my pdoc,but she says it’ll go away. Well it hasn’t in 2 yrs now. Each day is a guess at what I’m able to eat. Does anyone hav any ideas? Thanks for all your help. Sorry so long. Connie
Response:
I have been on Li for 3.5 years now. No change in the taste of foods for me. You might want to look elsewhere for the cause. Coffee tastes the same to me as it always did, delicious. Are you taking anything else besides Li? Nothing tastes any different for me. Could be I am just lucky, but I think your taste problem can be blamed on something other than Li. Hope you get it worked out. — HyperBum – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, I lurk here alot. Actuallly afraid to post. I’ve been treating my BP with lithium for the past 3 yrs.I’ve tried alot of meds for my deprssion and none seem to work longer than 6 months.The lithium works great for my moods.Recently I read an article on adults with ADHD who didn’t know they had it. I have all of the symptoms they listed. My question, how do I bring this up to my pdoc without sounding like I’m a hyperchondriac? She has always listened to my input and let me decide which meds to take. Another question,the lithium has made most foods and caffinated drinks taste really bad. I gladly gave up the sweets since I’m overweight, but giving up my coffee is different. I’ve told my pdoc,but she says it’ll go away. Well it hasn’t in 2 yrs now. Each day is a guess at what I’m able to eat. Does anyone hav any ideas? Thanks for all your help. Sorry so long. Connie
Response:
It all depends on the individual. Li gave me a *terrible* taste in my mouth, and everything tasted bad. It went away when I stopped the Li. Fortunately, I was on Li long enough to convince myself that I really had BP – but that’s another story. -becca – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been on Li for 3.5 years now. No change in the taste of foods for me. You might want to look elsewhere for the cause. Coffee tastes the same to me as it always did, delicious. Are you taking anything else besides Li? Nothing tastes any different for me. Could be I am just lucky, but I think your taste problem can be blamed on something other than Li. Hope you get it worked out. — HyperBum Hi all, I lurk here alot. Actuallly afraid to post. I’ve been treating my BP with lithium for the past 3 yrs.I’ve tried alot of meds for my deprssion and none seem to work longer than 6 months.The lithium works great for my moods.Recently I read an article on adults with ADHD who didn’t know they had it. I have all of the symptoms they listed. My question, how do I bring this up to my pdoc without sounding like I’m a hyperchondriac? She has always listened to my input and let me decide which meds to take. Another question,the lithium has made most foods and caffinated drinks taste really bad. I gladly gave up the sweets since I’m overweight, but giving up my coffee is different. I’ve told my pdoc,but she says it’ll go away. Well it hasn’t in 2 yrs now. Each day is a guess at what I’m able to eat. Does anyone hav any ideas? Thanks for all your help. Sorry so long. Connie
Response:
Hi all, I lurk here alot. Actuallly afraid to post. I’ve been treating my BP with lithium for the past 3 yrs.I’ve tried alot of meds for my deprssion and none seem to work longer than 6 months.The lithium works great for my moods.Recently I read an article on adults with ADHD who didn’t know they had it. I have all of the symptoms they listed. My question, how do I bring this up to my pdoc without sounding like I’m a hyperchondriac? She has always listened to my input and let me decide which meds to take. Another question,the lithium has made most foods and caffinated drinks taste really bad. I gladly gave up the sweets since I’m overweight, but giving up my coffee is different. I’ve told my pdoc,but she says it’ll go away. Well it hasn’t in 2 yrs now. Each day is a guess at what I’m able to eat. Does anyone hav any ideas? Thanks for all your help. Sorry so long. Connie
