Hi! My introduction as a Rapid Cycling Bipolar 1 Mom of 3.

Phew, thats a mouthful! Anyway, I've been catching up on the posts, but wanted to take a minute and introduce myself.

My name is Heather. As stated before, I'm a VERY rapid cycling Bipolar 1. I actually was diagnosed last week inpatient after a very scary low. I had known for a while that I was bipolar thanks to my counselor, but because of the SEVERE shortage of psychiatrists here, I had a 9 week wait to see someone for meds. I made it to week 4, but just couldn't hold on any longer. The low got too bad. So in I went. This was last Tuesday, I was just allowed home on Monday. 6 days on the psych ward. Its sad, but I've never felt more normal. 90% of the patients there were there to get on meds, just like me.

In less that 24 hours I was dx'd and on Lithium. I was tested yesterday and the lithium is now at a therapedic level and I'm feeling OK. I'm kinda bummed though. I've been reading and reading about how the drugs out there are to control the mania. But, I LOVE that part! The lows are what is scary for me. I hope that when I see my outpatient psychiatrist I can try lamictal so the lows are SO low. I won't deny that my manias still need some attention, but I can't be left with only the low.

Anyway, I also have 3 beautiful babies who keep me alive and an amazing hubby that I love with all of my heart. I look forward to sharing my bipolar journey with all of you and supporting you through yours!

Embracing my insanity,

Hi there, And welcome..


So sorry you had to wait that long, it seems the system is backed up here too, and one night I had to call the crisis hotline, and balled my eyes out. I don't think people realize how low a bipolar 1's lows are. They are trememdously horrific.

I can't take AD's as they thro my into deep rapid cycling. but you are right you can't just take care of the mania. Doesn't lithium do both, that is what my doc told me. With AD's for some bipolars they are left manic.

Lithium is the only thing I haven't taken, fear of weight gain, more I should say. I was on zyprexa and thanks to it I gained 80# and now I have only lost 40# in a year after being off it. It was a wonder drug for the moods but caused me to become diabetic due to family hx and the weight.

I hope you find the support you want here, and how did you get those pix in your sig. I'm still learning

My best

Hi, Heather,

I'm currently in a mixed state/rapid cycling. I've been on lithium before, but they had to give me high levels and eventually I was just a zombie - but everyone is different. I take lamictal now (pretty good, mild), which I think helps, but I have also begun Buspar at a low dose. It's new for use with bipolar (typically for anxiety), but I have found it takes the edge off and overall have been happier and not low so often. It hasn't solved all my problems, but it has been the first med that I feel had clearly positive results (I do feel better). I'm not a doctor, but I just thought I would relay that I have had a pretty good experience with this.

As ddee said, be wary of certain medications that can exacerbate bipolar symptoms - for example prozac and zoloft sent me off the deep end REALLY quickly (severe mania/psychosis). Most docs know this nowadays - the typical anti-depressants that work for most are often not compatible with bipolar patients. Just be aware of that and make sure your doctor knows this, too.

Hi. I am also bipolar. I have 3 kids too... young kids. I'm 25 and have been recently diagnosed with bipolar 2. I am on Depakote and Seroquel, and I'm still trying to get used to it all really. It's not easy, but I'm making it!

Hi, and welcome to you. Hi Faith. I'm glad you both mentioned your children on this thread because I have come to a roadblock in my life and am not sure where to go from here. I was diagnosed with bipolar 41/2 years ago and am pretty stable on my meds now, Lorazepam, Lamictal, Wellbutrin, Topamax, and Abilify. I am 29, and my husband and I want to start a family. Difficult proposition, considering harmful effects of meds, harmful effects of not having meds...could I cope without the meds, chance of post partum depression, the list goes on. It would have been easier if I had kids earlier in life, before I knew what it felt like to me "normal" though I have to put it in quotes because there is no suce thing. In fact, a part of me missed my old self, afterall it is how I was born, and a got of good things about myself have been lost along my road to recovery. But my meds balanced out my brain and my brain is thanking me. I can actually relax and sleep and not flip out on innocents who get in my path of rath.

Anyway, getting totally off the subject here, back to babies. Do either of you know anything about meds and pregnancy? The chances that you child will be bipolar? I did graduate from UMCP and managed to hold down a corporate job for a few years, but eventually the pressure the top guns were putting on my office caused me to completely lose it and I eventually stopped going to work at all. Now I am on disability from Social Security. I couldn't even handle a job, can I really handle a baby?

Please, if you can offer me any advice on this subject please PM me or whatever. I realize this is off topic for this thread but I haven't seen the subject anywhere else.

And I have had a hard struggle with just about every aspect of bipolar so I would be happy to offer advice in that area if you have any questions or just want to chat. Sorry this is so long. To get back on topic, welcome, and good luck.