I found out Tuesday that I have Bipolar Disorder. I have fought what I thought was depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder for years and nothing has really helped. I don't sleep much and I am always tired. I can't hardly clean my house because I don't have the energy so I wait until right before Chris comes home so it will bw clean without me having to do it more than once. Well I got a call last week from a place that does clinical trials for psychiatrc meds (I did one about a year ago for xanax) and they asked me if I would like to do another for depression and I said sure. I went in and talked to the Dr. and he came back and told me I couldn't do the trial because I have Bipolar Disorder. I was shocked and didn't understand so he explained it to me and put me on 2 kinds of meds for it. I have felt so much better. I sleep like a baby. I don't wake up every hour at night and I have plenty of energy during the day. probably because I sleep. I can get the house clean and keep it that way all day. I haven't felt this good in years. I can't beliave how much better I feel. I could just hug that man to death. Anyway just wanted to share that and ask if anyone has this or knows anyone who does and thier experience with this. TIA

By Sandysmom on Saturday, June 9, 2007 - 09:11 pm:

Latonya, I am so happy that you finally have a solution for what you've been going through.

By Jelygu on Saturday, June 9, 2007 - 10:27 pm:

That's great that you found out what was wrong and the medicine is that helpful!

By Ginny~moderator on Saturday, June 9, 2007 - 11:21 pm:

I have known people with bipolar disorder, and all of them say when they get in the right meds it is like coming out of a mental cave. I am so happy for you.

You will need to be in touch with a good psychiatrist who will keep tabs on your meds, because sometimes your reaction to meds can change over time, and only a psychiatrist will know what is best. Perhaps you can cotinue to see the man who made the diagnosis and prescription, as it sounds like he is on the ball and you already love him half to death. I would suggest a once a month visit to begin with, if the doctor thinks that is appropriate, and eventually stretch it out to a 2 or 3 month interval. You will need to see someone regularly, because prescriptions are only good for a specific period of time and no worthwhile doctor will renew them without seeing you. If finances are an issue, I know my son's insurance only covers a certain very small number of visits a year, and the clinical practice he goes to has a sliding scale for when insurance doesn't come into the picture.

By Hol on Saturday, June 9, 2007 - 11:44 pm:

I had a neighbour, a few years ago, who had bipolar disorder. When she took her meds, she was fun to be with. When she didn't, her life was a train wreck. When she in the 'depressive' part of the illness, she was a hypochondriac. She would go from doctor to doctor, imagining that she had a bunch of illnesses. She used to lie, for sympathy, and once told me that she had Multiple Sclerosis, which wasn't true. She had two young sons, and she made them wait on her hand and foot. Her husband was desperately unhappy, and worked 12 to 13 hours per day, just to be away from her (and to pay off the crushing debt that she piled up). When she in the 'manic' phase, she would go on spending sprees. If she went out to buy craft paint for a project, she would buy one of every colour they had. She indulged in all kinds of excesses. She also acted impulsively, and regretted it later. I believe that she stole one of my cats who used to sleep on my front lawn all the time.

The final end came to her marriage when she became sexually promiscuous, and started sleeping with her husband's employees.

Poor guy! He has since remarried and is very happy, and has custody of their young son. The older boy is over eighteen, and chose to stay with his Mom.

I am glad that you have finally gotten a proper diagnosis, and the right meds. As Ginny said, you will now need to be monitored regularly. Best of luck to you. (HUG)

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, June 10, 2007 - 12:25 am:

I'm glad you found out what was wrong and that the meds are helping. My niece (DH's sister's daughter), was a mess and her life was a trainwreck, too, plus sometimes she could be soooo crabby at family get togethers, too. She is now on medication and is the most stable that I've ever seen her. It seems her life is on the right track now. She is also bipolar.

By Anonymous on Sunday, June 10, 2007 - 12:49 am:

I suspect that I am bipolar. I fear a diagnosis will make it hard to find work.

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, June 10, 2007 - 02:16 am:

Anon, your medical diagnosis is or should be totally private. Any prospective employer CANNOT ask about medical treatment, and can only ask if you are generally in good health. A health insurance company cannot legally release such information.

Bipolar disorder - not saying that you are bipolar - can interfere with your ability to lead a normal life, as Latonya so truthfully reports. And can interfere with your ability to successfully perform at a job. That would be much more of a problem when it comes to finding work. I can tell you that someone I know has severe problems with depression, now under control with appropriate treatment. This person was hospitalized four times. And none of this was in any way revealed when this person applied for and got a very responsible supervisory position at a medical facility. I also worked for a while for an attorney who came into the office one day and said he had recently been diagnosed as manic-depressive and been prescribed lithium, and was thrilled, because his manic-depressive condition had come close to costing him his marriage and his career, but now that it was under control with medication and regular psychiatric counseling, his life was much better, his marriage was better, and he was able to be a better lawyer.

I urge you to seek a workup from a psychiatrist, who is the only medical person qualified to make a diagnosis.

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, June 10, 2007 - 08:30 am:

Psychiatric records are kept separate, from your normal medical records, too. You have to have special authorization to see them. In the normal course of a workday, at the clinic where I work, I'm not allowed to see them. With HIPAA rules, I doubt an employer could find out about it.

By Rayelle on Sunday, June 10, 2007 - 09:54 am:

Latonya, I think it's great you found a solution to this problem. I have dealt with depression and I know it can be hard. It's awful to be a victim of your own mind and it gets in the way of absolutely everything. I haven't had depression symptoms for almost 2 months now, and I'm still finding little things that used to be hard aren't and it spirals down to other things being good as opposed to a downward spiral that I used to face. I'm happy for you!

By Cat on Sunday, June 10, 2007 - 09:59 am:

My 13yo son has bipolar disorder. The right dx and treatment is the key. I'm glad you've found what sounds like the right doctor and treatment. Hugs

By Latonya on Sunday, June 10, 2007 - 02:11 pm:

Thanks everyone! I am so glad I found out what is wrong and was able to get on the right meds. I have tried many different anti-depressants with no luck until now. I have never felt so good or been happier. It amazes sometimes how things happen. I believe everything happens for a reason and I think getting that call for the clinical trial was the reason for me finding this out.

By Beth on Sunday, June 10, 2007 - 05:07 pm:

Anom I work with people with mental illness and its certainly not the end of the world as maybe it once used to be. Now they have so many different meds, therapy ect... You can do whatever you want to do with or withour a mental illness. An employer can not ask you those kinds of questions. Latonya, everyone is right though stay on your meds, and see your Dr. reguarly. Especially at first. Depending on what you are in there may be blood test you have to do reguarly ect... I am glad that you are starting to feel better and good luck. Anom please don't be afraid to get help its the not knowing that can harm you more.