Bi polar and parkinsons has anyone had experience both conditions.Please help me I need someone that understands

[Norma55]

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I am not sure I am going down the right track here, but I have known quite a few and still do know people who have been bi polar for years now or been treated for long term depression, they get the PD symptoms after many years of taking the drugs.

[soup]

Was Bi polar disorder diagnosed before Parkinson's?

[Bitbit]

Some of the anti-psychotics used for mania can cause parkinsonian symptoms, different than essential parkinsons. If that is the case, your psychiatrist should be the expert in minimizing those. If it is essential parkinsons and bipolar - boy life is really unfair. Some people really get more than their fair share of the burdon, I am sorry. I am a certified psychiatric nurse and just recently my son has been diagnosed with bipolar, so I kindof have experience with both. The stress of his illness certainly makes my illness worse. Again, I am so sorry, what a raw deal.

[Bitbit in reply to Bitbit]

Oh yea, if it's unipolar depression they say that often preceeds Parkinsons - the depression itself, not the meds. We had a neuropsychiatrist speak at our PD support group - he said depression IS parkinsons - one of the most common early symptoms in many.

[marthasway]

I am doubly blessed. I was diagnosed bipolar in 2006 at the age of 46, although in retrospect, the condition started when I was about 20. I had been taking medication for major depression since 1997, and I tended to have rapid cycles of hypomania that made it harder to catch, plus I drank to self-medicate, all of which combined for a perfect storm of mental illness for me. After I got sober in 2004, it took two years get the meds right; a combination of Lexapro and Depakote worked wonders for a good while. Then I had a malignant brain tumor in 2007, and Lexapro became prohibitively expensive. My Depakote dose was increased for its anti-convulsant benefits.

Fast forward a few years, and the slight neurological deficits I experienced got to the point where it was clear there was something more wrong. You guessed it: our mutual friend, Parkinson's. I see a wonderful psychiatrist who is a wizardress with drug interactions and a Movement Disorders Specialist, both of whom practice in a large teaching and research facility, so it is easy for them to share information.

I take Azilect (my wonder drug!), which has given me back my life and a small amount of Mirapex for PD, and Depakote combines well with the MAOI, so I haven't needed any additional psychotropic meds. There are days when I can barely get out of bed, but I keep moving forward.

I do everything I can to keep myself mentally and spiritually fit to stay as physically healthy as possible, although I am overweight and don't exercise as much lately as I could, would, and should. For me, the motto One Day at a Time reminds me that's all I have, and today is good day. I am blessed.

[lovemymom in reply to marthasway]

Hi! My mom was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder at age 37 and Parkinson's at age 57. She is now 65... It has been a tough road. Her sisters are in denial about her Parkinson's and are not supportive of her in that regard. They think she is "exaggerating" her forgetfulness and confusion, and blame everything on her BD and the meds she takes for it. It is very sad to me. I want to arm myself with as much information as possible as I am now her only true advocate. Thank you for sharing your med combo, we are currently trying to get my

Mom on the right combination of meds to help both conditions. Can anyone else share what has worked for them? Does anyone know of any case studies? Thank you!

[aloha24 in reply to marthasway]

Hi marthasway, would you feel comfortable sharing this wonderful doctor's name? My sister's story sounds remarkably like yours. thanks

[aloha24]

Same here! Need excellent psychiatrist who can treat both the PD and BP in South Florida.

Anyone?

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It looks like Bipolar disorder and PD may be intertwined, with BD as possibly a precursor in some people according to this article.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Art