[BlackSheep79]

Back in March I came off of Seroquel because of it causing pre-diabetes and my triglycerides were thru the roof. Then I went into a mixed episode. Since then I tried several medications. Haldol was a god send but it brought me down from mania and then I was stable for awhile and then brought me into a depression, which my pdoc said happens. Well anyways after several medications my pdoc tried me on Latuda, and it was a nightmare. I was so restless, panic attacks and my OCD was times ten with the record player of irrational thoughts all day long. I had suicidal thoughts because it was so overwhelming. It was so bad that I had to go on med leave for 2 1/2 months before I was stable.

Well anyways my pdoc put me on Propranolol, Xanax ER, and back on the Seroquel. I also am taking Lamictal, which I have been on for 7 years. It took about 2-3 weeks and I was finally back to being stable. The anxiety was down and I was thinking rationally again.

Anyways I went back to work this last week, which is the most stressful part of my life. Monday and Tuesday I was completely fine, Wednesday I went into a depression. Then Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (the worst day) I was hypomanic, it came out of nowhere. Today I just feel blah. What's tomorrow going to be? I'm so confused. I know that bipolar is cyclical.

I just don't understand how I just went on these medications so recently and then this starts up?

[wildflowerchild25]

Outside stress can definitely influence moods. For example I'm not even trying to figure out a mood state for myself right now because I have so much outside stress and anxiety that I don't think it's even necessary. If I were to try to guess I would say I'm in a minor depressed/mixed state. Anyway even when medication stabilizes you outside stress can take its toll. Going back to work is a major stressor.

Ride it out - don't panic. Last year I went back to work straight off a major mixed episode complete with psychosis that landed me in the hospital. I was there for ten days and went straight back to work with only the long weekend. It was difficult for the first few weeks even though I had stabilized on my medications because of the stress. But it evened out eventually. Don't panic and don't read too much into the mood changes for right now. Just try your best to use stress relief techniques like breathing at work and after work until you get back into the routine. If you are still having trouble in a couple of weeks, share with your pdoc your concerns.

Give yourself a break though. Starting back at work is hard!

[Tucson]

Some meds take weeks for their full effect. If you continue to have episodes, maybe a med adjustment is in order?

[~Christina]

I think Wildflowerchild hit the nail on the head. Us Bipolar folks tend to overthink things way too much and can be hypersensitive to every blip in moods.

I say give it some time and up using your coping skills .. Meditation really can go along way. I also feel Mindfulness is a must .

Be kind to yourself