Just Diagnosed - What Now?

By Ask the Expert Patient, Health Guide Wednesday, April 09, 2008

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Shannon writes:“I feel so frustrated today. No one seems to want to answer my question; is this bipolar, or is the family history of bipolar giving me this diagnosis. It is prevalent in my family, but it's been very hard for me to accept that I have it.“I've been bipolar (no, diagnosed wi...

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Shannon

4/13/08 8:12pm

Thank you so much for addressing my questions. You've made a bleak day a little more sunny.

Ask the Expert Patient, Health Guide

4/14/08 2:27am

Thanks, Shannon. Be hopeful and keep checking in. All the best -

amylou85

7/29/08 9:24pm

I too was diagnosed in Feb, and have had a very hard time accepting my diagnose. I have suffered from depression for years and had been on Zoloft for 5 years with no real relapses. I was in a very stressful job situation and I missed my synthroid, for my hypothyroid and my zolft for about 5 days. I went into a tail spin, it started by not being able to go to sleep one night to not sleeping for 3 days. I didn't eat, I talked continiously. I had hallicinations, even though I know it wasn't real, it was soooo real to me. I knew something was wrong but didn't know what, I thought it was my thyroid so my husband made some calls to my doctor and I ended up in the ER with a diagnose of Stress and Anxiety. I still didn't get into the pscycharitrist until 2 days later. My husband was soooo tired- I had periods of obsessive compulsion, doing everything 3 times ( I have never experienced that) I grew up with a step sister, with the same name, Amy- we had very different personalities. At one point I even took on different personailities. It was like I was soo vunerable that all my mental defenses were shot. After seeing the pscycharitrist, he stated that discontinuing the zoloft actually caused my mania.The whole situation was so scarey and I fear it will happen again, I take my meds and see my doctor and my family is constantly looking for any signs and symptoms of relapse.

Shane

9/12/08 10:11am

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO SHARE MY COMMENT In having Bipolar one of the things I deal with often is quitting jobs. Ever since I was diagnosed in 1998 I have had one job after another. The reason why I am writing about this issue is because when you have Bipolar you tend to have less of a desire about things after you get yourself in a situation. I don’t know If it’s a high to make a decision all at once to just quit something so after you can get that high feeling of you showed them. Is it a thing that you felt for awhile you weren’t in control by going to work everyday and the hum drum of a routine. So then you make a decision to just quit or walk away from the situation. It’s that way with relationships in my life also... I would get involved with a girl and move in with her and all of a sudden say well I don’t want to do this anymore... So I pack up all my stuff and leave (like nothing happened). Over time that can really be a strain on the ole self... The Bipolar get’s you so wore out at times. Just a week ago I had a great full time job with basically doing nothing but watching television all night in someone’s house I was over seeing. I got tired of it and never went back to work. Called them up and said I just don’t want to do this anymore. If anyone else deals with this would you please let me know and others know about it... We would all like to hear your stories. The more you comment the more support we gain from each other. So many times we with Bipolar feel so alone and isolated in this world. It’s very hard some days to get out of bed at all, you just want to have one day where your mind isn’t going 90 mph... WE WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS ILLNESS!!!!! PLEASE LET EVERYONE KNOW WHERE THEY CAN COME FOR SUPPORT!!! http://bipolarworldz.blogspot.com/ contact me @ irunwithsizzers7@aol.com Shane

Mania_Extreme

9/21/08 3:49am

Hi Shannon,

Im new to this Bipolar thing to, so I probably can answer your questions, but I can certainly relate to how you're feeling! I was diagnosed with Bipolar Type 1 just over 2 weeks ago and, like you, I am struggling to accept that this is what I actually have. As much as I don't want them to be right, all the self-tests Ive done keep telling me I am (with a very high score too!). They tell me I am in a Manic/Mixed episode at the momwnt and that I have been for about 11 weeks now...now wonder my body feels so F---ing sore!!!

My doctor put me on Lithium and ended up increasing it to the maximum dose, but then my last blood level results showed that I had Lithium poisoning (lucky me!) so she has reduced my dose to 500mg twice/day now and has put me on Seroquel (200-300mg at night). The only thing I can tell you sbout Seroquel is that it is the only thing that makes me sleep...sleeping tablets like Temaze etc don't do anything for me (I may as well be eating lollies!). If you want to know more about Seroquel, type it into your serch engine cos there's heaps of info out there about it...That's what I did.

I don't know why they gave you your diagnosis, but its good that you know your family's history. I am adopted, so no-one knows my family background, they are going purely off my behaviour.....functioning on minimal or no sleep, erratic driving (have had my car taken off me now for my own protection, but NOT happy about that), incredible ability to draw, write or do anything creative, 'dont care' attitude, inability to concentrate or stay focussed on anything for long periods (except drawing/creating), get really angry for no reason, say or do whatever I feel in the moment without thinking or caring how it will affect others......and the list goes on!

So, this probably doesn't answer your questions much, but I answered you post so you know your not the only "newbie" and I totally relate to you feeling of not wanting to accept that you have this.....I don't either, but I have yet to find another explanation...but believe me, Im still trying!!! Stay in touch hey? Its good for me to know Im not the only "newbie" too.

karen

11/ 6/08 3:58am

Hi Shannon

Good Lord

Meds change x3 in x3 weeks- are "they" made.

I'm bipolar for 2yr now- x3 med changes. Every time it took 2-3 weeks to

change one mede to another- "if" I were you I get a "good" Psigiater and stay with him. He will get to know you- and together you will make your touches

Shannon I'm on Seroquel and it works for me, but I must say I am other meds

to. You could be on 4meds and if 1 does not work- then it is a problem to

know withs one it is. It wil make a difrens of being well of not- One pill It is crage

but true trail and error- I'm on the right combination. I realy wish you well.

Karen

Just Diagnosed - What Now?

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