~ Tracking Bipolar II swings ~

Hi everyone, well I'm new to this site & Bipolar altogether. I've worked around a mixture of consumers with mental illness & although I believe I've always had little symptoms of bipolar I just ignored them. Well long story short, in the last few months my systems have become very profound. I've become more depressed then usual, very very irritated with work, life, just everything. I stay up for hours @ night, sometimes not even sleeping because I'm planning or goal setting witch is not normal for me. My eye twitches all the time, & over the past couple of years I've distanced myself from family & friends & no longer have the pleasure of doing things I loved to do like gym 2-3xs a week & doing fun things with my children/family. I've recently made me a Doc appointment with a highly recommended psychiatrist, but with me being a new patient my appointment isn't until March 13th. my biggest fear is not knowing how I will respond to medication if I am indeed Bipolar & my second fear is weight gain because im already struggling with my weight already. Any advice anyone?

Hi Crystal!
I am Cathy and 62. Was treated for depression for years and then had my first manic episode and hospitalization July 2015. One thing that worries me with your long wait til March is that your symptoms may continue to get worse. For myself I know i exacerbated my mania by not sleeping...maybe 8 hours a week instead of a night for over a month! It was my daughter who helped me see i needed to be in the hospital; by then i was talking nonstop,hypersexual, and kind of causing trouble everywhere.

I also recently took part in a study that emphasizes how important routine is: go to bed, get up same time every day, meals, exercise, etc. The structure helps our brains. So i think making sure you sleep is of utmost importance. Can you try to see another pdoc to "tide you over" or see if your pcp can help? Also try to get a support group in place for you, just a few family members or friends that you trust.

As far as meds go, i am allergic to Depakoate and lamictal. Lithium was affecting my thyrhoid and kidneys. Abilify worked great at least while i was still manic, even lost weight on it, but then i lost insurance and medicaid wouldn't pay for it. Now i am on seroquel, fluoxetine, and buproprion. And i have to say i am gaining weight. Aargh! I had lapband surgery 7 years ago and lost 160 pounds. I don't want to gain ir back!!!! And i am also one who can't seem to get off the couch, let alone to the gymn.

Meds act so differently with different people, you may have to put up with a lot of trial and error, or maybe you will be lucky and get it right right away. I sure hope so!

There is a group called Depressive Bipolar Support Alliance (dbsa.org) that offers a tremendous range of resources: including online and in person support groups as well as educational info.

I wish you the best and please let us know how you're doing, Crystal!
Cathy