I am newly diagnosed but not surprised about the DX. My mom is BP I receiving ECT in the 60's. I started self medicating when I was 11 with drugs and alcohol. I ended up in rehab in 1990 and was put on Lithium and Prozac. I have been sober ever since, against my wishes. Each year since treatment has gotten a little worse and about 4 years ago, everything went to hell in a handbasket. I have managed to stay sober through the roller coaster of depression and mania. I finally went to a shrink a little over 2 weeks ago and was in suicide danger. I am on Lithium again 600mg twice a day and seroquel 50mg morning and 150mg evening. I am sleeping for the first time in about 15 years. I am still suffering from rapid cycling throughout the day and my blood work is not showing a detectable amount of Lithium. When in the heck is it going to straighten me out? I don't have an appt with my shrink until the 5th and have a hard time calling for help. Basically I am wanting to stop taking the meds already, which is my m.o. I guess I am just looking for a place where I can ask for help, so here I am at psyche central. I am angry and do not know how to tell my closest friends and family about the DX. Has anyone been to bipolarhappens.com? What do you think of the health cards? Thanks