[3kittycat]

I have carried a dx of BPII for 3 years now. However, I have had symptoms of the disorder since I was 18 at least. I have had at least 3 hypomanic episodes all before I was diagnosed. Since I have been correctly treated I have only experienced depression and a mixed episode. I am planning on going off my meds in April in hopes of getting pregnant. I know that if I have an episode before my plans will be ruined and I have been anxiously wanting to get pregnant for a year and a half now.

I recently went off my birth control and am using other methods until I start ovulating again and get the meds removed.

So my question is: I have been having trouble sleeping (although I always do) and am taking ambien in the meantime. I recently increased my credit limit on one credit card (only by $100) w/o telling my husband. I have also been more interested sexually than in a long time. It could, however, be from going of the pill.

On my own I decided to decrease my antidepressant and my hubby is upset with me and says I need to see the pdoc to do that.

So I am wondering if these are signs of impending hypomania and should see the pdoc or maybe just normal things.

I would appreciate any insight.

[Moose72]

Increased interest in sex could very well be your hormones normalizing after going off the pill- which is a good sign, in terms of getting pregnant. I'd go see your pdoc though and discuss all these things- changing meds, your symptoms, getting pregnant, what meds to be on while pregnant and after, etc. I've been pregnant three times and my depression got worse during pregnancy and post-partum- and this last time (2001) I had some psychotic symptoms ("horror-movie hallucinations")- though I wasn't diagnosed as Bipolar I until Oct. 2006. I was on Zoloft during and after pregnancy with #2 (1999) and #3 (2001). Pregnancy made my mood shifts worse. That said, I'm glad to have my kids!

[Hopes]

I would definitely talk with your doctor. I was just diagnosed a year ago w/bp and it turns out I have had it my whole life. I know when I was on less meds or the wrong meds I had hypersexuality and spending issues. I rarely get anything now though but mixed episodes and depression but that is because they are still working with my meds. Make sure also you are able to be stable before you decide on having children involved in the picture. Bipolar is a life long thing you always will need to treat and there is good chance your kids can get it if it is in your genes. I have 2 kids I love with all my heart and it pains me to pieces that they have to live w/a bipolar mom. I am a good mom and a good hearted person and a good wife but I still have extremely bad days and blame myself for not being well for them all the time. I am not trying to discourage you I just care and want to be sure you and your husband and doctors are all on the same page for your familys sake. (((((((hugs 2 you)))))))))

[Peerless]

I start feeling like I don't need my meds anymore, and suddenly im happy. If nothing caused me to be happy all of a sudden, then i know im about to have a manic phase. Even though mine are not too terrible, I usually have to keep reminding myself to think before my actions, as I have been known to spend large amounts of money I did not have on things I did not need just because I knew they would make me happy.

[3kittycat]

thank you for the replies. Peerless I know what you are saying. In fact today I just told myself I was feeling too good to take my Effexor, in fact, I just took all my pills but that one. Even though I know that withdrawal can be horrible. That does not make sense to a normal person like my hubby. I promise I will go up and take it.

I also made an appt to see my pdoc tomorrow.

Thanks again everyone.

[unpredictable]

I agree with everyone that you should tell your pdoc and follow his advisement about going off your meds. I also wanted to say that I think it is very normal for a woman who is trying to get pregnant to think about sex more. Before I got pregnant I had been taking an antidepressent, a sleep aid, and birth control. I went off all of them and I was also feeling better than too. I had started working out three times a week and feeling good. So alot of it could just be the excitement of the possiblity of becoming pregnant. But just to be safe its best to let your pdoc know what your feelings are so he can be watching you for any signs of danger.