hearts4120

Hello I am hoping to possibly get some answers or at least opinions.
I have been having some symptoms that may or may not be Bipolar 1 or 2 or maybe not even be Bipolar at all. I would like some opinions please. Here is what is going on. I don't really remember when this all started because truth is I denied it for many years. I am 43 years old, female and have four kids, my son who is 24 was diagnosed with bipolar when he was 16 to my knowledge that is the only one in our family, except for maybe me. Anyhow, my symptoms, again I don't know for sure how long, but at least 10 years. I have very distinct mood swings. I go from being very happy, lots of energy, don't need alot of sleep, or can't sleep, talking alot, bold, irratable, aggressive.... now my normal personality is: shy, moderatly reserved, I don't make new friends easily, somewhat of a loner you could say, mainly cause I am shy.
Okay so after the mood I described above and then my normal mood I then have the depression, Its not necessarily a can't get out of bed wanna die depression, no not like that but I do have a period of loss of energy, don't wanna do much, need more sleep, my energy is gone, my boldness is gone, my talkative creative side is gone, in fact I don't like this side at all, I rather like the first mood swing I talked about, its sort of cool, anyhow in this phase of it I feel sad, sometimes guility about things, restless, I have crying spells, I crave sweets (carbs). This phase lasts longer than the happy/upbeat/bold/ mania thing going on.
I did go speak with a family doctor, well actually she is a nurse practioner and I should not have gone, I dont like her at all and I dont know why I went, I suppose because I could not get in with anyone else and really wanted some answers. I do have an appt with a psychiatrist in mid Nov. Anyhow this nurse practioner told me I could not have any type of biopolar because #1 I don't have a drug or alcohol problem and all bipolar people do, I told her my son does not and she said its cause we got him diagnosed early??
#2 she said I don't have bipolar because I am 43 and you don't get diagnosed for bipolar at my age??
#3 she said my symptoms don't match up for bipolar??
So, any ideas, opinions? Thanks in advance,

Lori

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L.


DDD, Spinal Stenosis, Fibromyalgia,
ALIF surgery on December 10, 2007, numerous Injections, SCS December 2010.