Newbie here

Hi everyone; first time poster.

My name is Janis (not my real name). I have just been dx'ed as hypomanic, possibly Bipolar II. I'm 51, and have not have any psychiatric diagnoses prior to this besides episodic depression, for which I've taken Prozac. (Which seems to work for six months, then just stops working.)

I have a sibiling with Bipolar I, dx'ed when he was in his twenties.

My PCP was the one who suggested the hypomania.

Anyhow, can I talk about my treatment on here, or is this forum only for those who have been told they definitively have BP I or II?
Thanks!

Post Edited (JanisJoplin) : 5/13/2013 9:32:32 AM (GMT-6)

Thanks for responding to my post! I am not taking any anti-depressants.

In a nutshell, what happened was, I went to my PCP complaining of:

1. insomnia (Trazodone stopped working, so did Clonopin)
2. irritability
3. feeling overwhelmed and helpless
4. pressured speech
5. thoughts of suicide (mostly ideation...I would never, and have never, even tried to hurt myself, but my feelings of despair and hopelessness were really bad).
6. STUCK. I felt as if I couldn't "do" anything. Went from being a hyper-energentic, goal-driven, enthusiastic person to feeling as if I couldn't even leave the house. Every task seemed gigantic.

My doctor remarked that this was a cycle..that every 12-18 months, I would come to him complaining of these same symptoms. In the past, I just suffered through them, and eventually, I got better. (I would self medicate once in a while with alcohol, but not often, as it makes me very, very sick [bad tummy]).

I take good care of myself...I exercise vigorously every day (30-60 minutes on an elliptical trainer) and I watch what I eat. I'm a light drinker, non-smoker, my only vice is that I LOVE coffee.

I have a brother (2 years younger) who has been Bipolar I (with psychosis) since his early 20's (that's when he was dx'ed...he started exhibiting symptoms when he was 10 years old.)

He refuses to take medication and his life has been a rollercoaster ride of misery and pain. (I don't speak to him.)

When my doctor said "you're hypomanic" I burst into tears. All my life my abusive parents have told me that "you're crazy just like your brother." (My mother is not a nice person.) I have tried hard to be a good and productive person, and for the most part, I think I've succeeded. I own a small business, have a nice house, and raised a daughter by myself who is a wonderful person. I'm also married to a very nice guy.

The problem is my moods. I cannot seem to stabilize them. Sometimes I'm okay, but lately I'm NOT.

There are plenty of reasons why...who doesn't have the right to sing the blues these days...with the economy so bad, and unemployment so high? But there is definitely something "off" with me. I can just feel it.

I'm so sad all the time. Life feels empty, worthless. I guess if I am Bipolar, then my "mania" is the irritable kind, not the euphoric type I've read about.

I'm getting long-winded so I'll end by saying that my doc prescribed 2 mg of Abilify six days ago.

It has been nothing short of a sleigh ride to hell. I haven't slept more than two hours at a time since I started taking it. I'm nauseous and vomiting, having night sweats, severe stomach pains, and muscle aches. Working out has been awful. I called my doc's office and was told "oh, those are temp side effects; they'll go away." Well, they haven't, and this is day six. I'm calling him this morning and telling him I cannot take these pills anymore. They're making me so sick...

Has anyone else has a bad time with this drug? I DO want to try something else.

Is it absolutely necessary for me to be on 3 or 4 drugs?

Thanks everyone...I'm new to this, so tread lightly with me.

You are welcome! Talk away while your diagnoses and treatments are sorted out! :)

Hi JanisJoplin, you definitely need to see a psychiatrist, any PCP who tries to sell you drugs for a mental condition is just that a drug dealer, and it looks like he's/she's already started on you. You wouldn't let your PCP treat you for cancer, an ulcer or a heart attack would you? Their not anymore qualified to treat you for a mental illness, yes i know there's a stigma against us "crazy" people but really, consider what's goin on in our world right now and then decide if we're the crazy ones. I hope you take this in the spirit of help and hope it is intended. Angie

Talk