Just diagnosed with Bi-Polar - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

slimsta00018 · 05-02-2008, 09:46 PM

Hey there. I was just diagnosed with bi-polar along with my paranoid schizophrenia about 4 months ago. I haven't seen my psychiatrist in like 6 months, and Im wondering whether I should ask to get on Lithium or not. I have read about Seroquel and I don't like the sound of it. Does anyone have any advice? I am currently on Zyprexa by the way.

craziunique · 05-03-2008, 04:14 AM

welcome aboard!!!

I love this board!! it has guided me many of a time. Even if you are just looking and reading other posts and dont replied. After a while you get the "hang" of it, that you are NOT ALONE - believe me!! this board is a good outlet to talk to people with the same or similar condition. They accept you unconditional! - They dont "know you " from Adam - but it's nice to know there is a place you can go to and vent. I do!

It good therapy I think. By the way I'm on Seroquel - i take 50mg in the morning and 50 in the afternoon and 200mg at night - believe me at night -it WILL make you go nite nite.

But before I took it , I was mentally all over the place- OVER THINKING- worrying about crap for no stupid reason. Because I wish i gone on it sooner , now I'm working 20 hours at home and struggle BAD. Because on my bipolar. luckily, my boss is half way understanding. I still have my health insurance

If i didnt have that and still tring to find a regular job in "this market" i think i would of lost it by now. I'm not saying I haven't have my moment's - I did one thing positive today.

I took a nice long bike ride today it was nice!! well with the price of gas now - im sorta force to - so look at things that way - find a trolly in your town other ways to save on gas. The bus - because I'm sure with the rest of us, with or with out insurance our meds are the most important thing on our list - even before food!!!

crazi....

katlin09 · 05-03-2008, 11:59 AM

Slim,

Welcome to the BP world...so I have 2 questions...who diagnosed you with BP and what particularly about Seroquel do you not like?

slimsta00018 · 05-03-2008, 03:06 PM

Well I was admitted into Ben Taub Psychiatric Hospital for about 3 weeks for taking a whole bottle of depression,sleep,and anxiety pills during a manic episode(or at least i think it was) anyways the psychiatrists there diagnosed me but I can't find the paper that states that I have it so I don't know what type it is. I think I am Bi-Polar2 but Im not quite sure. Should I ask my psychiatrist if I should get on Lithium? I haven't seen a psychiatrist in about 6 months but I have been steadily on Zyprexa and Celexa for depression. Any replies to this would be great.

katlin09 · 05-03-2008, 05:38 PM

Well first things first I'd definitely get back into your pdoc (psychiatrist) or if you're not seeing one, find one and get your diagnosis clarified. Then talk with them about meds. How are you doing on the zyprexa, is it helping? I take Seroquel 450mg, Zoloft 50mg, Lamictal 50mg (currently titrating up to 100mg) Ambien CR 12.5 and Sonata 10mg for sleep, and Topomax 75mg. I think those are all of my BP related meds, *l* sometimes it's hard to remember them all.

I have BPII w/severe BP Depression on the suicidal side, I'm also a severe insomniac. I don't have any problems with the Seroquel, I take it at night along with my other sleep meds and it helps me get about 4 hours of solid sleep. Some people have problems with daytime drowsiness, I don't. Different meds affect different people. Unfortunately finding the right meds is not a quick process, it's kind of a trial and error process of trying different cocktails of different meds to see what works for you.