I am new to being diagnosed with Bipolar 1

Hi there,

Sept 2013 I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder 1. I had a hyper-manic episode.

I am female, 38 years old and a mum of 2 and we immigrated to Australia, 2 years ago. So no family support, a lot of challenges, but yeah, at least now I know what I've been dealing with for maybe 5 years? Things that did not make sense then, suddenly fits now.

I have been depressed for the past 5 odd years (insomnia being my main problem) and it made sense to me! I have had some really serious illnesses and health issues (2 open-heart surgeries, etc.) and was given Anti-depressants for this! I had a traumatic sexual-abuse-experiences when I was 8 and again at 16 and on top of all my medical issues we immigrated! had loss of family and friends and I had a hectic job here in Australia and in a hyper-mood I quit my job!

In my state of being so happy to be alive I also destroyed all my anti-depressants, sleeping drugs and ENDEP. After 3 days of having tummy runs/aches and not being able to sleep, I decided to consult my GP, only to be told that I am in a hyper-mania and that I need to start taking these drugs to calm me! I was very upset but the GP and my Spouse sort of teamed up against me (that is what it felt like) and told me that I could get hospitalized for this and I was on 4 days "surveillance". I had to change from being a control-freak and a self-appointed Doctor to myself, to allowing others to make decisions for me as I knew what I felt could not be normal. Never even considered that Bipolar Disorder would be on the map! I just thought that I had a tummy bug. That all happened in Sept. 2013.

The questions I had for the Psyco Doc: where did I get it? Genetics, personality, childhood trauma/abuse, medical trauma/operations/conditions, loss of family, immigration!

I was on 25-27mg Seroquel and 1200mg Valproate, but that did not work for me. I was sleepy and I started loosing excessive amounts of hair! So I lowered the dosage to 700mg and then nothing.

In the past 2 weeks I've been having thoughts of self-harming. :( My husband and I also got to the point that I want to take my kids and move out and he does not know how to support me and does not take it serious enough!

I am in trouble and without meds and know that I have self-destructive thoughts and it is everywhere!

I don't know much and need some support and help, please :)

Post Edited By Moderator (UserANONYMOUS) : 4/14/2014 5:22:59 AM (GMT-6)

Hello Ferncor,

Welcome to the forum! I am glad you joined. You will get support here.

I had to edit your post a bit since we are not allowed to discuss self-harm or suicide here.

Usually a psychiatrist is the person to diagnose someone with Bipolar. If a GP suspects that someone may be Bipolar, he/she usually recommend the person to a psychiatrist for a proper evaluation and diagnosis.

Please see some Crisis Informationthat may be useful to you:
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

If you believe you may be suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. I know you are in Australia. See below for link with information on the Lifelines in Australia:
www.lifeline.org.au/about-Lifeline/Lifeline-locations/Lifeline-locations/default.aspx

Please also feel free to visit our resources where you may find useful information:
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=13&m=350839

Please try to seek some help from a psychiatrist as they would be able to recommend meds that may help you and offer you some therapy.

Take Care

UA

I'm happy to hear this Ferncor! I'm proud of you for being brave and talking to your doc honestly. Way to go!

I hope the Seroquel will help with your anxiety and you will be able to get some rest. Keep us updated on how you're doing.

Posting here does help so feel free to post anytime .

I know that gaining weight is a major problem with most meds. Some meds opens your appetite. However, there are diets and exercises that you can use to avoid this. It will help you maintain a healthy weight.

I hope things will get better for you.

Take Care

UA

Thanks Christiansoldier.

I am doing okay. I am on the depressive side of the disorder and mostly feel very close to tears. I have now learned to combat the self-harming thoughts with positive thoughts and reminders of how precious my kids are and how much they need a healthy and stable mom.

I have been sleeping better with 10mg Zolphidem and 100mg Seroquel. I'll start the Lithium treatment tomorrow night. I am really hoping that I'll do well on the Lithium and won't gain to much weight!

It is nice to come and talk to people that are battling with the same problems and I'll be back to update you on my progress on the new meds.

I just can not help but wonder if my Post trauma stress disorder might have caused the BP1? will we ever know where we got it from? I guess all we can do now is fight it and beat it.

All the best to you to

Not going to well on Lithium. I am so dizzy today and me head feels very weird and almost fuzzy? I have been urinating more than usual and not sure what is normal on new meds?

Thanks UA. I went to my doc and he did all my vitals and urine test and said that it can be side effects from the Lithium or even a virus, but I'll have to be brave and see it through as the Lithium is my only alternative.

I took some meds now for nausea and painmeds and not so anxious about dizziness anymore. I guess I was just worried about serious side effects that can affect my already weakened heart and kidneys. But he assured me that my kidneys are fine.

I see you have Cervical spondylosis? are you a candidate for surgery yet? I had my C5,6,7 fused, 2 years ago, after an ice skating incident damaged my disks and I had spondylosis. Now I have limited neck movement, but no spinal strictures.

Hi there.

I had my ice skating accident in 1994. I was okay but for the 7 years prior to my neck fusion, I had a lot of pain in my right arm, shoulder and neck and eventually my righthand's fingers started to go numb. We immigrated to Australia durin 2011 and the Visa-Doctor noticed that the reflexes in my rightarm was abnormal. A MRI showed almost no disk material was left at C5-7 and I had to go for the surgery.

The numbing of my fingers and all the pain I experienced was inficative of nural compression.

I am glad I had the surgery. The pain my arm and the numbing disappeared after a while.