[sinkingfast]

I am new to this discussion. I am desperate for help. I was diagnosed 5 yrs ago with general anxiety disorder after 3 attackes landed me in ER. They tested my heart thoroughly. I had all the signs of a heart attack. I was convinced. I did not want GAD. Took me a long time to accept that and for a long time Lexapro and Klonapin with a little Xanax on the side worked and I continued with my job. About a year ago I ran out of Lexapro and was feeling quite well for a time then I started having violent mood swings. I was also irritable. I had been through this years earlier but the anxiety meds seemed to help. Was also going through menopause. I am also hypoactive thyroid and my regular doc who helped me tremondously moved away. Everytime I went to the doc they blamed everything on my thyroid. Were constantly testing it and I always ended up back on the same dose. About 3 months ago I had several episodes where I was so fatigued I could barely walk and would become breathless and weak just walking across the room and have been suffering from a tremendous amount of stress at work and at home. I had 3 episodes where I felt so badly depressed and fatigued I thought I was dying and even wrote my funeral arrangements on a scrap of paper laying in bed. AFter laying around a while I would feel better and try to go back to work, then end up back home and in bed. Finally my husband tracked down my old doc, which is a 3 hour drive, and when I saw him I was so relieved. He remembered everything I had been through earlier and was convinced it was GAD again and told me I would have it the rest of my life. Put me back on my old meds and I took a leave from work - a major trigger. I continued to worsen on the meds so my doc put me on Effexor, and we tried several tranquilizers. At that time I quit my job cause I could not see myself ever able to return. But nothing seemed to work I was in a constant state of anxiety. Then suddenly I would improve and manically work around the house and the yard then I would crash again. It was a pattern. I recently had such severe depressions I lost the will to live and for the first time in my life considered suicide as an option and I even have it all planned out. We went back to my doc and in asking questions he has come to the conclusion I am bi-polar with depression primary. He put me on a low dose of Seroquel (sp?) to be increased in increments. He had a psych he preferred who is not taking new patients. I cannot get into the next referral until the end of Sept and I am supposed to leave for a trip to LA and Seattle Oct 7 where fortunately I will be with siblings. Yesterday I had a short major manic episode and today I am feeling fairly normal for me - which I am not even sure any more what that is! Don't know if it is part of the cycle and I will crash or if the bipolar med is finally kicking in. I am actually fearful of feeling good cause I fear the inevitable crash. Does anyone recognize the signs as all now bipolar? Can you morph from GAD to bipolar? Or could it be both. I appreciate any and all comments. <font color="#000088"> </font>

[bizi]

HI there,
I just wanted to say that I read your post and am sorry that you have not gotten a reply.
this forum changed places this past weekend and I am sure that people are just now finding their way back.
Welcome to the forums.
All of this is very overwhelming...so try to take it in small doses.
Starting new medications can be encouraging having faith that you will get better and will help you.
Unfortunately many of us have been on a medication merry go round.
Please be patient with yourself, it may take a while to find the right meds for you.
I take lamictal...it is a mood stabilizer with anti depressant qualities.
I also take geodon, a small dose at night to help me sleep.
The seroquel will help you to sleep.
keep posting
bizi

[MyBestKids2]

Hi SinkingFast

Welcome to PC. Yes, you can have GAD and Bi-Polar. Sometimes they can intertwine and things get quite confusing, and may seem out of control.

I hope your Pdoc (psychiatrist) visit goes well this month, and they are able to help you get some/all of your symptoms under control.

Good luck and welcome to PC! :welcome_sign:

Dee

[Schatje]

Many of us have multiple dx. I'm bipolar II (heavy on the depression like you), OCD, and GAD. Thyroid problems can sometimes read as bipolar so being sure to have that ruled out as a cause for the mood problems is good. It is also very possible that you could be bipolar, GAD, and have thyroid issues. It sounds like you are very confused right now and having a good pdoc and being open and honest with them is very important.