Am I bipolar?

Hi to all. this might be long, bu after reading every poat on this forum, I thought I'd throw the question out there. I had been on celexa for years, prozac before that, for mild depression. I have rheumatoid arthritis and in October had a bad flare. I was put on predisone, fairly high dose, with a taper. Well, while I was taking the prednisone, I lashed out at a co-worker, and my mind started racing. I sought help from a friend who is a pdoc(don't recommend this...) as I was frightened at my own behavior. He immediately dx'd me with BPII, took me off the celexa and put me on risperidol.I had weaned off the prednisone by this time, but he felt i was "still manic" For a few weeks I was ok, but then I started to feel depressed. My depression hurt like nothing ever has (and I gave birth twice!). Switched to a different doc who started me on effexor for the depression, Seroquel for insomnia, and she added lithium and lamictal. I am not feeling well at all, and I mentioned this to my doc, who firmly believes I have BP, she has nothing to offer me.

I think that I'm having side effects from the meds (jitters, sweats, etc).

My husband and I can think of NO OTHER TIME that I might have been hypomanic, even the day of my outburst I calmed down and had a normal evening. I did go throught a major depression, though, but not a usual one for BP's I could not sleep. at all. even with big time meds, and though I was physically and mentally exhausted, made it to work each day. LOst 13 lbs that I have not regained no appetite, burning tongue that appeared out of nowhere 3 weeks ago.

Just wanted your opinion. Not considering anything drastic as far as my meds are concerned.

Thanks,

SSC

I think we can all truly understand the pain you are feeling right now, because we all had to go through it. It's extremely tough at the beginning especially the doctors trying to get you on the correct medication(S). I went through 12 different anti depressants before they found the correct ones for me (I don't mean to scare you). I'm currently on Lithobid and Seroquel and have been for the last 3 years & they have worked wonders for me. I do suggest that if you don't start feeling better with in a month of starting these meds you go back to your doctor and suggest something else! And keep doing this, drive them absolutely batty if neccesary until you feel like yourself again. Remember you're the one in charge of the way you want to feel.

I do suggest also like Carenpolar did that you get as much information as you can. I found a web site healthyplace.com that has a questionaire that you can fill out and bring with you to your next doctors appointment. This may help you and them with diagnosing you.

Family and friends are also the best ones to ask if they are seeing changes in you. A lot of the times when I was manic I couldn't tell but my husband sure could. The way he could always tell with me is my talking got real fast and I couldn't shut up!!!

I wish you the best of luck!! Take care and be strong!! Like my mom always said to me this too shall pass. Advice that I always carry with me because it's so true!!