Just diagnosed with Bipolar and scared!

Im new to this site and came across it by doing a 'google' search about bi-polor disease. I was just recently diagnosed with having bi-polor 2 and I AM SCARED TO DEATH about it. I guess over the years l knew something was wrong with me. I am married and have 3 great kids and lead a pretty good life. But over the years the depression and everything came crashing down on me. Thankgod l have a great family doctor who helped me get into a mood disorder program here in the city l live in and thats how l was diagnosed with my disease. But what l want to know is about the meds for the past yr l have been on paxil which seemed to work at 'times' but not always, now my dr at the program as put me on lith , 300mg 2 pills a day for now. This is my very first week of taking it and im worried about the side effects and anything else it has in store for me. The dr has told me to be prepared for the drugs and the programs (she suggested we take things slow to start off and then see what works and what doesn't) But that alone is terrifying for me and also my husband is the only one working in our family, if l have to keep changing meds how the hell am l going to pay for it and will these meds be expensive or not?? My dr does give me free samples but she cant always do it and my husband owns his own business without any coverage of any sorts?? Also l was wondering if the Goverment of Canada has any kind of benefits for people like us?? I do hope they have some kind of plans for us cause for the next few months my life is going to be like a roller coaster with me as its only passenger, if anyone can give me some advice that would be great and I am glad l found this webpage!! And l hope l can talk to others that are in the same boat as l am and make new friends.

Thanks for responding! I just started the Lith this week and we will see how it goes im afraid of the side effects like the weight gain and seizures l so dont want that to happen. When l started the paxi l gained about 15 pds im 5'2 and 115 pds now l dont want to weigh anymore then what l do now. My physical appearance means alot l know that sounds shallow but being overweight l think would drive me more insane then l already am (joke). But im very happy l found this site and l know its going to be helpfull to me and give me some great advice . I also wanted to ask about therapy groups?? has anyone been to one?? my dr at the mood disorder program suggested that l join a few of them there to help me with the aniexty l have been having and also other issues. Im not one for a big group of unknown people so im really leary about going to this sessions, or should l?? if anyone has any feedback or has been to one please give me a reply back l would love any advice given.

Hi, Troy, just thought i would pop in and tell you my thoughts on Paxil, so you wouldn't be mystified, lol.

SSRIs in general are NOT a good idea for BPs, period.  Paxil and Effexor tend to REALLY cause episodes, or extreme anxiety/panic attacks.  We dont' react the same way to anti Ds as other people.  I see it almost every time someone writes in here how they are not getting stable, or are having episodes, they are almost ALWAYS on an SSRI.   SSRIs now come with a warning for docs to screen each patient they see for depression for bipolar disorder before prescribing.  Yet so many do.  Lamictal is an excellent stabilizer with antidepressant effect for BPs, it works for almost all of us, and doens't cause episodes.  Wellbutrin is also a good choice, it doesn't act on serotonin like the SSRIs do that cause the episodes.  The combination of the two is often a really great livesaver.  Wellbutrin CAN cause agitation, too but not practically guaranteed, like SSRI meds. 

If the Paxil isn't agreeing with you, ask your doc about the other two.

So there you have it, partly my opinion and most fact.  I hope you're doing well, other than staring at bobbleheads for 15 mintues, lol

Shannon