Hi there...I just need to vent. I was diagnosed as bi-polarII last year...none of the *fun* mania, just a lot of anger and major depression. Anyway, last week my boyfriend who I had been with for over 2 years decided he couldn't handle it anymore and broke up with me. So I moved out of our house, left our dog and am trying to go on with life but it's soooo hard. Adding to the craziness is the fact I'm seeing a new psychiatrist who took my off my effexor and has me on lithium, which is killing me and I've gotta switch to something else. I just feel so hopeless...have been crying at work all week, can barely function, just wanna sleep all day. Could somebody please just let me know things are better with other meds? Are there anti-depressants that don't cause cycling? I talked to my shrink yesterday, but she wasn't very supportive...I have Kaiser and I'm sure some of you know how that can be.
Anyway, I don't know if any of this posting made sense...I'm feeling pretty out of it. Hope everyone else is having a better day.

I know it doesn't seem like it right now, but for us bipolars NO relationship is better than the wrong one. I don't know how old you are, but never count out the hand of fate when it comes to relationships.
Took me to age 35 - but it really was worth it to end up with the guy I met by pure serendipity.

I'm one of those people who does great on lithium alone, but I'm sure we'll hear from others on meds. It's the most awful thing to deal with until you get regulated. Before I was diagnosed they thought I was schizophrenic. You wanna talk about bunches of different med combinations/side effects/etc....

Hang in there, I mean look where you ended up... On HealthBoards where you are alREADY an expert in being bipolar!!!

I was diagnosed BP II also. I still haven't found the right combination of drugs. It's been about 6 years or so. I am on Effexor XR right now, which does help with anger/rage and some irritibility. I don't cycle too much, but I have my moments. Take care of yourself and know that there are many of us out there who also struggle. Things WILL get better.

There are all kinds of meds that don't cause cycling. Hang in there and you'll be able to work it out. I was just diagnosed with the II version a couple of weeks ago. Still waiting for meds to kick in. I'm not sure what I'll do if I feel an actual, true emotion...explode most likely <grin>

Sorry that you are going through a breakup as you are changing meds. What horrible timing. Keep talking with people here as well as your Dr. You will feel better in time.

Thanks for your feedback...I know it will take some time, but hopefully I'll feel *normal* one day.
I appreciate the support!
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hi,
I've been suffering from bi-polar since 16, I'm now 34. Ive been in jail, the phychiatric hospital, and how I learned valuable lessons along the way.

I had an internal head injury at the age 16 which most of my problems came from.

Ive always had trouble with anxiety, moods, depression and just "mentally drained" most of the time.

I experimented with a lot of anti depressants but still suffered from severe motivation loss, causing me to be depressed. I use to take "ripped fuel" with ephedrine until they recently discontinued it. This use to motivate me and even aid in my depression, I told the my Doc about "ephedrine" helped me just as much if not, more than what I was being prescribed.
Doctors won't believe something "over the counter" could have been more affective, however, I was the guinny pig not them.

To make a long story short, I take 20 mg of Celexa to "keep a lid" on my anger. 1 klonapin a day helps out woth my anxiety. Then I taken "neurontin", which "soothes the brain" in the evening (I only take 1 to 200 mgs because it can put you in "la la" land and take it ONLY if I'm feeling "edgy".

Now, still getting depressed because they banned "ephEdrine" which "aided" in my motivation,
the Doctor prescribed me 'Adderall' for energy,I started to become "mildly happy" once again, so I asked the Doctor why 'Aderral' is helping me like "ephedrine" use to, she told me because it stimulates the "dopamine" in your brain in the same manner.

I will only take 20 to 30 mgs in the morning to get me through the day, dealing with people and work (I just keep working without thinking my life sucks)

Thats a part of my story, not sure if it can benefit or not, I hate to talk about "meds/drugs" helping me, because I do NOT want people to "resort" to this, however, I'd be a hypocrit if I denied the
"temporary aid" I was recieving from them.



[This message has been edited by Donald (edited 08-28-2003).]

Donald,

I would not say that medication is a "temporary aide". If it were not for my medications, my life would be like a rollercoaster ride. I never realized how tired I was becoming from the up and down emotions, it wasn't until I was finally diagnosed and the right kind of drug "cocktail" has my life really turned around for the better.

Good luck!

LB


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When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.