Newbie here from Texas Bi-polar type 1

Hi all,
My name is Sherry. I am dxed with being bi-polar type 1 (although for yrs. I was Misdxed with only Major depression) -sound familiar? I am a 44 yr. old mother of 2 not working (have applied for SSI but not approved yet) and am on Lacmicital (just starting a sample package that includes 5 weeks on slowly raising the dosage (now on week 3 at 50mg.), Wellbutrin
300mg. Klonopin 1-2 mgxday, just starting Abilify one week 5mg.and now topamax 25mg.. My moods are somewhat stable until its that time of month (sorry guys) and now my husband has become unemployed (OMG at this time of yr.). What are we to do? I am on medicaid and am really fortunate in that my parents own my trailer (thus we only pay a $200 a month lot rent and around $200 electric) and also I receive food stamps.
Yet, here I am still from day to day really up and down (when husband is working all I wanna do is shop LOL and now can't do that/ Why on earth can't I be darn grateful and not so negative. Anyway. I am looking for a message board to give support and also receive any info on meds. Have lots of my own experiences with meds as well to offer. Hope I can be welcome here. Thanks for listening.
Sincerely,
Sherry

Hi, Sherry!  I'm from Texas, too.  My name is Shannon and I'm BP I, 41 yo this mo. and on SSDI for the last three years.    I soooo understand, as will everybody else here, what you are going through.   My shopping got me a bankruptcy, had excellent credit, working, homeowner, 2 cars, etc. like the rest of the Joneses and bam.  37K in 3 mo on credit cards.  So I understand the shopping thing, and I've done everything else "bad" listed under

M-A-N-I-A!

I'm ok now, but on lots of meds, I'm on everything you're on except I take Trileptal instead of Topamax.  Oh, and I also take Seroquel with everything else.  Seems to work - for now, but like everybody else, having a LOT of up and down, mostly down with the season change. 

I am so sorry to hear of your husbands unemployment, especially now.   Is he supportive of your dx, how has he dealt with it in the past, and now?  It's sooooo vitally important to have a support system, even if it's just one person you can always count on, preferably your mate.  I am beyond blessed, my husband is an angel.  We have been married for almost 12 years; I have been stable for 1 1/2.

I am looking forward to hearing more about you and your journey thus far, and like Ellie, I'm glad you found us here.

Shannon

Thanks Elllie, Shannon and Sharon for your replies,
I'm just praying husband will find work ASAP oh and did I mention the van we have (the only vehicle we have) transmission is messing up and now the washing machine too!!! Lord, Please look down on us all and HELP!
Thanks again for the supportive post. Also, I don't really have any "real support" for my bi-polar" disease, , my family just knows I am sick and cannot help it but still they dont understand. There is a support group not to far away I am going to start attending on Monday nights though so maybe that will help. I have "weight issues" too.Fotr example , several months ago I took Paxil and Seroquel and the two combined put 10 lbs. on me in 2 months time!!!!!! NO not that combo again. I ask pychs doc now to make sure any meds I take do not cause weight gain.!!! Thats very important too me. Do ya'll also now or in the past have weight problems when it comes to taking meds. I thought it was the Lacmictal so I stopped it and thats why I am slowly starting back on it again. Again thanks for the responses. Have a great day everyone :o)
Sincerely,
Sherry