Ask the Therapist
Bipolar and Serious Illness
Hello-I am Bi-Polar effective......I had bi-lateral pneumonia 8 months ago and was on life support, they did not give me any Psych. meds......I am wondering if this is why I am so messed up, so to speak, Now???? I am on Trileptal, Klonopin, Paxil CR, and I have been rapid cycling, which I NEVER did before. I have never felt like I do now. I am like a different person, I think I have PTSD as I am dreaming about the vent, being extubated etc. I have a psych. who keeps telling me to "live in the NOW" Well, this is the now, for me. I
remember so many things while I was in the CCU. I have support and am seeing a counselor. My Psych has me very angry....last week he told me to "pick a drug" as he has tried them all.....I am frustrated to say the least. I would appreciate some input
Anything is possible. Unfortunately, my knowledge of drug cessation, re-administration and it's possible interaction with other, non-psychiatric medication is kind of thin. Sounds like you were pretty sick. My advice would be to get a record of the drugs you were given while hospitalized and consult with your psychiatrist to see if s/he sees any issue -- especially if you were administered any type of steroid.
As for the intrusions, it's more likely episodic reactive anxiety than PTSD. This may account for the high cycling. It sounds like you experiencing what I refer to as a "shadow" syndrome. An overlap of one thing on top of another that may look like the first thing, but is just a variation of the second (and original) diagnosis.
