Hi

Newly diagnosed after a life of wondering what's wrong? Stability is something I lacked, even though I have had the same career a very long time. It's a career that almost invites a bp, even though it's the worst job for a bp, as I don't sleep regularly ever. It's a shift type job. Where I stay up night's at times.

Did AA on/off a number of times. 8 years was the max. Still showed symptoms of mania and depression and chaos even though I did exercised, ate right, stayed sober and kept the stress low.

The Drs even knew my Mom was a diagnosed manic-depressive(as they called it in her day) they never put it together, even one dr asked if I was a "cutter", to which I was not? They also prescribed me Wellbutrin for PMS, which had me manic for a decade.

Now, I'm diagnosed bp and I feel correctly.
Medicated on low doses - 150mg lithium and 50mg topomax. I'm very med sensitive.

I'm going to remain alcohol free - only 10 days now. The meds have released the craving for alcohol at this time.

I will incorporate SMARTrecovery.org - a self-management recovery support group. They have online and face to face meetings.

I will make healthy friends. Set realistic goals, hobbies.

Any success stories with medicine? relationships? jobs? stability?

Thanks