introduction

Hmm... I thought i posted an introduction but some replies have said it was in the general area and i should post here... Sorry if this is a repeat -- just getting used to the tech.

I'm new to the forum but not to bipolar having been diagnosed for almost 25 years. I've tried many med combinations but so far they only help about 50% and i still get mood swings. I have tried many therapies but i can't tolerate any of them.

I have the most trouble with Spring mania. I tend to overspend or get into foolish romances. This last Spring i planned an expensive renovations and only the fact that the financing dragged out for two months until i had crashed saved me from financial ruin.

I would like to participate here in hope that if i start another silly, expensive project like renovation again people will point out that it seemed like a bad idea when i was not under the influence of mania.

I'm mildly depressed now as i am most of the year. Occasionally i get a Fall mania too. I see my psychiatrist next month and i am going to ask for better meds. My meds DO help, but they could be doing a lot better.

I've been enjoying reading your posts and look forward to getting to know you all and supporting you with my experiences.

Welcome to the group! You've been dealing with bp for a long time and I'm sure you have alot to share with the group. I.suffer with bp2, bpd,.Anxiety and bp depression. I have Great combo of meds that I'd be happy to share with you. I also suffer with spring time hypomania and depression.
I'm currently on:
Lamictal 200mg 2x day. Mood stabilizer.
Geodon 80mg 2x day. Anti psych
Neurontin 300mg 3x day. For Anxiety
Lexapro 20mg. For depression
Adderall 20mg for adhd
Xanex 1mg prn for anxiety attacks and sleep
What are you currently taking? I understand the financial.urges that come with mania. It's good that you didn't do the renovation. :-)

I am glad to see that I am not the only one that cycles with the seasons. I offered this theory up to my phd and he just scoffed at me. I would worry every spring that the mania would be coming and he just would lecture me abut setting myself up but I had journal proof that I had cycling patterns. he would hear nothing of it though.. he didn't even like accepting the idea I was bipolar. he thought my main problem was ptsd. I too spend uncontrollably maxing out my credit cards. he thought because I still paid my bills that this didn't count. I was being responsible. just because I am in debt up to my eyeballs doesn't seem to matter.

but I haven't had problems with mania for a couple years. a very patient pdoc and I found the right med combo to irradicate my cycles. so it can be done. you just have to put up with a lot of med changes and side effects and nagging your pdoc to death to change the meds until you find the right ones. it took me nearly 3 years the first time and I was stable for a couple years and then a different pdoc changed my meds and I was manic a couple times a year for a while and then we added another med and now I am stable once again. so I am proof it can be done as I was a rapid cycler.. so good luck to you. take care.

Glad you're meds are working for you. I take Seroquel, Abilify and Valium. My doctors are pretty passive about my meds and let me basically dictate what i want to take. I think this is a mistake and next month when i go in i am going to ask my psychiatrist for HER recommendations. Let HER make the decisions. I really hope i never have to deal with the mania nonsense ever again.

Although I didn't like my last T , he did warn me about spring mania and to pay particular attention to it with my son who also has bipolar disorder.