Just diagnosed

[DLX]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post. I was just diagnosed with Bipolar 2 today. I have been struggling with depression since about the age of 12 (am 25 now). I have had bouts of major depression in the past. The worst one was two years ago after my 3rd daughter was born. I am stable now (taking risperidone, Epival and Effexor). I guess right now I am just feeling a sense of relief because I finally make sense. It is certainly a bad thing to have bipolar disorder, but for it to go undiagnosed for so long was horrible.

When I am in a down, I struggle with self mutilation and suicide. We have decided not to have any more children because of the risk it could be on my life and the babies life. I am just thankful for my three healthy children.

Anyway, I look forward to getting to know some of you a little more.

Lexi

 

[Zita123]

Welcome to our bipolar thread!
It's great here everyone helps eachother out. Sometimes maybe you can help some of us out. Any questions you may pm me if you'd like
GOD BLESS!! Hope everything is going well right now with you!
Zita

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post. I was just diagnosed with Bipolar 2 today. I have been struggling with depression since about the age of 12 (am 25 now). I have had bouts of major depression in the past. The worst one was two years ago after my 3rd daughter was born. I am stable now (taking risperidone, Epival and Effexor). I guess right now I am just feeling a sense of relief because I finally make sense. It is certainly a bad thing to have bipolar disorder, but for it to go undiagnosed for so long was horrible.

When I am in a down, I struggle with self mutilation and suicide. We have decided not to have any more children because of the risk it could be on my life and the babies life. I am just thankful for my three healthy children.

Anyway, I look forward to getting to know some of you a little more.

Lexi

 

[NewCovenant]

Hey Lexi. I'm glad you found us, and glad that now you have an answer. It's often both a relief and a little scary when you finally are diagnosed, but you will be okay. You have family and doctors and therapists, and a support system, and now you have us. Read up on BP and become familiar with the medications you are on, as well as alternative drugs. It's good to know what's going on out there. You'll start to feel stronger soon.

 

[Alive again]

Welcome to the forum. You will find much love and support here! Feel free to pm me if you would ever like to. I also have bp2. Was first suicidal around 16 (symptoms before that-just first serious attempt) I was coping okay with life despite all the self doubts and horrible self esteem issues. Probably due to my faith. I became depressed after my first son and went on antidepressant (Prozac was new) had to stay on it about a year and then able to come off of it and went back to same old, same old. Did okay after my second child, but over time and stress of my marriage and work (ICU and Hospice) went into a horrible and debilitating depression about 12 years ago. Treated for depression without much help. finally about 2 years ago my dad died and we found out he was bp2, then my son diagnosis was changed to bp2 and then about a year ago we finally added it all up and figured out I was bp2. Tried several mood stabilizers and finally found one that helped. Over time it has helped enough that my anti depressants started triggering manias and I was able to stop them.

Sorry for the novel, but wanted to give you a feel for the reality that any type of bp may have a 8-10 year lag before actual diagnosis and bp2 can be more difficult to diagnose as the manias are truly hypomania-not as high. For me this meant I spent 99.5% of my time depressed and a few hours or a day here and there where I felt "better". It took years for us to recognize the truth of the manias in my life.

I have some books that I know of you might enjoy if you like books. A couple that talk about being Christian and bipolar. There are also good resources on the internet, but you will find a lot more info out there about bp1 than bp2. There are many here with good info sources to recommend, just let us know and we will give suggestions if you are interested.

Know this!!! You are a beloved child of God and that He will use this in your life to help you become stronger and help others. There is much about bp I would chose not to have, if it were my choice. But there is also much that God has used to help me have a ministry and be more effective at it. It is an illness that needs to be managed. BUT IT IS MANAGEABLE, and it does not change your value before God! YOU ARE BELOVED!!

 

[rushingwind62]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post. I was just diagnosed with Bipolar 2 today. I have been struggling with depression since about the age of 12 (am 25 now). I have had bouts of major depression in the past. The worst one was two years ago after my 3rd daughter was born. I am stable now (taking risperidone, Epival and Effexor). I guess right now I am just feeling a sense of relief because I finally make sense. It is certainly a bad thing to have bipolar disorder, but for it to go undiagnosed for so long was horrible.

When I am in a down, I struggle with self mutilation and suicide. We have decided not to have any more children because of the risk it could be on my life and the babies life. I am just thankful for my three healthy children.

Anyway, I look forward to getting to know some of you a little more.

Lexi

Lexi,
I went undiagnoised until I was 40 and you are right it was a;most a relief to find out I had it because it helped me to make sense of my life. My advice to you would be to not rush things and never come off or self adjust your meds. You may still have trouble managing the ups and downs, and I woul;d highly recommend that you see and stay in counselling until you begin to get a handle on things. Realize this as well the meds are not a cure, they are meant to help you maintain the ups and downs. If you are still having major ups and downs talk to your Dr because your meds made need to be adjusted to get full effect and you may need to be put on different meds to get an even better affect. Also there may be some side effects from the meds but most of them will subside after a few weeks....anything I can help you with feel frre to ask......God Bless You....Rob

 

[GreyWolf]

Hi Lexi. Just wanted to say welcome. They say I am bipolar type 2 also. You will find a caring and supportive group here. I'm happy to meet you and hope we can talk when I get back (I'm heading inpatient for a med change) I wish you the best.

 

[DLX]

Thank you everyone for you warm welcoming replies. I feel already that this site has been a blessing to me.

I have been feeling really really good the past week. I wonder if the meds I am on have finally started to work at top speed. A lot of my bipolar Illness was centered around feeling overwhelmed, and irritable and then of course the depression part of things. I never really did get manic. But the Doctor said that could start at any time. Here's praying it doesn't. This week, I have been feeling so great. I am enjoying my kids and I find myself singing a lot HEH. It is nice for a change. Thank goodness for Epival!

Anyway, I look forward to getting to know you all a little more and I will be praying for you Greywolf.

Lexi

 

[HeartsnFlowers]

Hi

I have been on AD's for depression for 9 years. Just received a diagnosis of Bipolar Type 2.
I had to find a new Pdoc because my old one moved out of state. The first meeting with the new doc she took a very detailed history from me and then explained that she believed there is a strong possibility that I am Bipolar Type 2, because I have been on so many different AD's, they work for a while, then I get deeply depressed again. She didnt change my meds but told me to think about it, if I could remember any times that would qualify as hypomania. I did remember some.
Last week I had my second appt with her and she made the diagnosis.

It took me several years to get to the place where I could tell people about the depression and meds. I didnt even tell my family til my brother had a mental breakdown.
So, I have told my husband about the new diagnosis. Still, I am kind of embarrassed about it. I know it's wrong to feel this way. Kind of disappointed in myself. As if I had any control over it. But it explains a lot.

 

[Alive again]

Hearts and flowers. I known exactly what you mean. I was dx'ed as depressed for about 10 yrs before changed to bp2. I still hide behind the depresssed label when I am not comfortable enough with someone knowing the whole truth and they need to know about my meds (eg LA WT Loss Clinic). The adjustment to a new diagnosis takes time, give yourself permission to take that time. Don't ever stop your meds without talking to your doc!!! Learn and learn more about bp. There are many wonderful books out there and websites, etc. I have found a couple that are written for and by Christians with bp. If you are interested in knowing about them, just pm me. Blessings and prayers!!!

 

[HeartsnFlowers]

Hearts and flowers. I known exactly what you mean. I was dx'ed as depressed for about 10 yrs before changed to bp2. I still hide behind the depresssed label when I am not comfortable enough with someone knowing the whole truth and they need to know about my meds (eg LA WT Loss Clinic). The adjustment to a new diagnosis takes time, give yourself permission to take that time. Don't ever stop your meds without talking to your doc!!! Learn and learn more about bp. There are many wonderful books out there and websites, etc. I have found a couple that are written for and by Christians with bp. If you are interested in knowing about them, just pm me. Blessings and prayers!!!

Thanks Alive!
I am interested in those books. will pm you.