[perkypower]

Hello, I am new to socialnetworking sites and new to pc. I joined up on Sunday. This is my first post to bipolar forum.

I need help understanding bipolar II. Until today for the past 8 years i have been mdd as a diagnosis. This morning my psychiatrist changed the dx to bipolar ii. Not only that, i got sent home. no driving for awhile because my attention is undependable. so a few days off from work for me. they're probably glad i'm not there "pinging" here and "pinging" there. A N D when i got home there was a letter for me from the county police department, i got a "citation" (they said *not* a ticket). But the "citation" cost me $75 for running through a red light. I was speeding in the picture too. No picture of me, it is my car that was actually cited. I have stressors of divorce, finances, a brain lesion, and living alone for the first time in my 45 year old life. But the agitation snuck up on me. I usually feel states develop. It seems at work i can't shut up and i am driving them crazy. *now* they tell me after i went in and said i was being sent home for a few days. The doc says i can't trust my judgement to tell if i can drive so i had someone take me home. Not an easy task when i work 45 minutes away from home. I have a v e r y good friend, my only friend. I'm glad i have her. I dont' know what i am going to do on monday. there is no one from here that works in the area i do so no car pools and there is no public transportation. I am so frustrated. I usually can tell if i'm bouncing off the walls or i'm irritable. It seems i am right now too much of both. crap. luckily very luckily my job is salary so no problem missing work. it's a contract job with no benefits so i just have to make up the hours over the next few weeks. IF i get back to work. I am supporting myself. I HAVE to work. I need my apartment.

[Schatje]

Welcome to pc. I'm bipolar II as well and went misdiagnosed for many years. What medications has your doctor discussed with you? It sounds like you might be in a mixed state right now and I find those to be worse than a manic episode or depressive episode by themselves.

It is good to hear that you have someone to lend support and a pretty flexible job. One of the things that you might want to do is learn to recognize your triggers and try to minimize your contact or avoid them if possible. I know that stress is not easy to limit and especially not in your situation. Stress is one of my biggest triggers. Hang in there.

[perkypower]

Celexa Abilify Trazadone Adderal

[perkypower]

triggers: Dad died jan 07 husband wanted divorce dec 06 he is keeping the divorce going (instead of a done deal as of mar 5, 2008) He says" in this economy i don't know if i'll have a job to pay the alimony" judge gave him time to submit too nice if you ask me so we go until aug 22 and then i hope i'm divorced (he doesn't think he needs an attorney) i am going thru voc rehab with the state and my boss says i shouldn't be taking advantage for something i don't need (a pda cell phone) my cognitive deficits are around functioning with time and tasks

[Schatje]

Wow, when it rains it pours. You have a lot on your plate and it would throw anyone for a loop. I'm sorry to hear about your father and your ex-husband sounds like a bit of a jerk. One would think your boss would be all for something that helps you be more productive, but then again some people just don't get it. I find that my big triggers are stress, lack of sleep, and too much stimulus like really loud music or bright or flashing lights.

I've taken Albilify and it helped me quite a bit. It can take a while to find the right med/dosage/med combo and it takes a bit of patience to get there. A lot of drugs take a while to build up in your system and/or take a while to get to a therapeutic dosage because of the rate at which the drug's dosage must be increased. Anti-depressants don't typically work by themselves for people with bipolar as you noticed and in fact they can throw someone with bipolar into an episode. I'm on Lamictal, Effexor, and as of today I have Valium for those moments I just need to sleep it off. Lamictal is a very common med for those with bipolar II disorder, or so I've been told.

I hope you are able to find what you need to feel more like you.

[MyBestKids2]

Hi perkypower

Welcome to PC. Looks like you have some great responses here. I imagine things are whirling around for you with a new diagnosis and meds. Sounds like you are taking good care of yourself which is so very important. Your friend sounds supportive and caring, too. Do you also have therapy? I've found that to be so helpful along with the proper medications, which may take some tweaking here and there. Please keep us updated on how things are going!

Take care,
Dee

[perkypower]

i've been doing meds and therapy for over 10 years

the other piece to the puzzle is i just got diagnosed with a brain lesion that it turns out has been responsible for cognitive and psysical deficits. you know those magazine articles that the person says "i went to 27 doctors before i got the right diagnosis?" that's how i felt when i got the lesion diagnosis and the explanation of what it does and that even though it is in my head all the things that have been happening to me were't " all in my head " lol TTFN <font color="purple"> </font>

[Dysmas]

Just stopping by to say welcome to the foums, i'm positive you'll get all the help you need

[perkypower]

Thank you for your kindness. I hope i'm able to meet more people in bipolar forum.

[Angel_of_the_Past]

Hello and welcome-Angel