Angela53510

Health Interests

bipolar disorder,  Rheumatoid Arthritis,  Hypothyrodism,  high blood pressure,  asthma

Drugs I am Taking

Synthroid,  Norvasc,  Ventolin,  Atrovent,  Prevacid,  Advair,  tryptan,  Imovane,  valium,  wellbutrin

About Me

I am the mother of 4 grown wonderful children, married 28 years, a Christian, studying part time for an M.Div. degree. Former school teacher (now disabled), flute and sax player, singer, active in church. Gardener, cyclist, and overcomer! I believe my bipolar disorder started in junior high school. I was not diagnosed after a postpartum manic episode in 1976, which latest nearly a year. I struggled for many years to find the answer to the ups and downs, and was diagnosed in 1997 during a depressive episode, and have been in treatment ever since. Gained weight on zyprexa and seroquel, tardive dyskinesia on Seroquel and Lorazepam, lithium toxicity and psychotic break. So I stopped using cortisone drugs for my asthma and RA, and when I hit menopause the estrogen stopped triggering episodes, and so other than my tiny 37 mg of Wellbutrin and sleeping pills, I am med and episode free. Not perfect, though. Learning and growing, and not letting this disease run my life. Coping with RA is often more difficult, esp. during my recent right foot reconstruction and recovery. Multiple disorders are a challenge, but I know I am not the only one, and that non-one has a perfect life, and to make the best of every day.