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Posted 6/12/2014 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
blush Hello, my name is Kimberly and I have been recently diagnosed with BP. I am so in need of support and sharing with others that are experiencing BP. I am amazed that it has taken 46 years for someone to finally diagnose me and that it is spot on! I can't help but in hindsight now see the cycles and destruction that could have been avoided. It took a pretty major manic episode for the diagnosis to be made by my PCP. I haven't seen my PDoc yet but have started treatment with my PCP, thank goodness. I am hopeful although my case seems to be one of rapid cycling. I am excited to connect with others that are living healthy lives while managing this illness. I am a professor and was given a 1monthnleave of absence to put it politely:) to get my meds started. I'm scared to see a PDoc. Can't wait to see a therapist. To have someone to vent to and help manage.
Posted 6/13/2014 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Kimberly,

Welcome to the forum :-)! I am happy you joined us. You will find lots of supportive and wonderful members in the forum.

I am sorry to hear it took so long for you to get dx. I am glad that you finally got dx so you can be treated. Therapy can be really helpful. I hope your next app goes well.

It's nice that you were give leave from your work to help you obtain treatment and recover. How is being a Professor? Do you like your job? My eldest sister is a teacher for primary school or junior high school. She enjoys teaching.

Posting here does help you to feel better, so feel free to post whenever you like. We are here for you.

Again welcome... I hope to learn more about you.

Take Care

UA
Posted 6/13/2014 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Find a good psychiatrist and therapist that are covered by insurance and located near to you can take a very long time. It took me many years to find an amazing psychiatrist who knows me really well and is incredibly smart. I'm lucky.

Don't be afraid of a psychiatrist, he will (hopefully) just want you to feel better and be more in control of your mood.

It'll be a very, very rocky road finding a medicine regiment that is effective for you with the least amount of side effects. Remember that your doctor will prescribe you medicine that he believes the benefits outweigh the risks. Almost every antidepressant cause weight gain, so exercise helps! They always say exercise is one of the most effective treatments of depression. But I know that the last thing you want to do when you're depressed is drive to the gym and work out for an hour. But I know you'll be alright.

I wish you luck in your newly discovered bipolar life. Treatment is coming and life will be great!
Posted 6/14/2014 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Kimberly,

I also am new to this site. I joined just a few days ago and have read much and said little. I was a technical training instructor the DOD at one point in time and had to retire to due my BP. So glad you have some time to think and adjust. That is rare and I think I really understand what given a leave of absence "politely" means. With this disease you need to really concentrate on yourself. Be good to yourself. You are not your disease. BP manifests itself when we least want it to. I am a BP Type 1 rapid cycler and have been on meds since 2001 when I was finally diagnosed. My psychiatrist and I work together very well and have ever since 2001 when he diagnosed me. The med combinations will change as time goes on but don't let that scare you. Listen to your body and don't be afraid to share your feelings with others who have this same disease. We understand what most in the world do not. A good psychiatrist, therapist and support system will help you immensely. And remember.....never give up on you. You matter and this disease is not the definition of who you are.
Posted 6/15/2014 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
welcome kimberly and some days are better.

i am a rapid-cycler as well. my sentiments are the same as the others. keep well and know that we are here for you. am still sick, but getting better so i will just say g'day and will see ya later. keep strong.
Posted 6/15/2014 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum SDB (some days better) :-)!

I am glad you joined. Please note that we always ask new members to take the time to introduce yourself in a new thread. This is easily done. Simply click on the "New Topic" button and the program will open a box for you to post your intro. This will help members see your first post and extend a welcome to you.

I hope to learn more about you.

Take Care

UA
Posted 6/22/2014 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Good evening, Folks, thank you so much for your replies. I love that everyone here "gets it" CCTV so hard to find that out in the world, lol. Tomorrow is my first PDoc appt. scared. Anyone have any advice about the first appt?
Posted 6/22/2014 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Ignore CCTV...suppose to say "It's"... Ugh. Auto correct.
Posted 6/22/2014 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Kimberly,

No worries about the typo/auto correct :-)!

It's okay to be scared. I remember i was very nervous the day before my first appointment with my therapist. Anyways, try to do somethings to distract yourself from thinking about the appointment. Just relax and get some rest before the app. Tomorrow, remember to be open and honest with your psychiatrist. It is important that we are honest so they will be able to help you. However, you must ensure that you are comfortable with he/she.

Good Luck with the app. I hope it goes well. Please let us know how it goes.
And get some rest tonight! :-)

UA
Posted 6/23/2014 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, UA, for your support. I am ready to get this app. over with and start the process of getting the right combination of meds. I am on Depakote 500mg 1x/day and prozac 20mg 1x/.day. I do not think the combo is right although I am not manic anymore which prompted the start of meds by my primary care physician but i am depressed. Hard to have any get-up-and-go. We shall see what the Psychiatrist says. I'll post later today after the appointment. A HUGE THANKS because this forum helps me feel like I am not alone.
Posted 6/24/2014 6:58 AM (GMT 0)
let us know how it went. keep strong. we are here for you.
Posted 6/24/2014 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
Well folks the appt went well as you all suspected:). The glitch in the beginning of the appt (the dr I was scheduled with was not in yesterday!?!) got straightened out and a different doctor took me. Thank goodness as I didn't think I could go through the anxiety of having to wait for the next available doctor weeks away! She was a great doctor and spent an hour and a half with me! She really was a great listener. She diagnosed me wih PTSD first and foremost which I knew already so that was comforting. Then we discussed the bipolar symptoms and she agreed with that diagnosis however she wants to spend more time getting to know my symptoms before the actual type of BP is diagnosed. I was very happy with that. I have had extreme trauma in my life and she recognized this and stated that labels mean nothing it's what we do to get well that matters. She added Abilify to the Depakote and Prozac. I will see her in a few weeks to check up on how that's going and she hooked me up with a therapist in the same office group for this Monday. I am very thankful for that as well because the therapist I saw throughout my PTSD work is no longer in our area. I've noticed that people on this forum list, in their signature, their diagnosis and medication. I will do the same because it is nice to identify with those that have similar struggles. Thank you so very much for all of your support. I LOVE this forum. To Happy Turtle: hope you are on the mend!
Posted 6/24/2014 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
You're never alone Kimberly. You always have us :-)!

Please do let us know how the app went.

Take Care

UA
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