the diagnosis is

[strangie23]

Bi Polar Type 2

Treatment is Lithium

Advice? Suggestions? References?

I'm open to hearing your opinions.

I am doing research before i fill the perscription.

Comments

[_nailbunny]

A diagnosis can sometimes make you feel better. It gives you a feeling of "this is so common that they've already got a name for it". And, for me anyway, it takes a weight off your shoulders because you're being told "this is something you have", not something that you are...

I would definitely do what you're doing and look into the lithium as treatment. In my readings I thought I came across quite a lot of drawbacks. And I'm quite sure that there are a multitude of other newer drugs that can be used to treat the same disorder.

Aside from that...how do YOU feel about it all? :)

[strangie23]

Good ideas..

Relieved that a lot of my more embarrasing tendancies are due to imbalance and not just neuroses.

Anooyed to have a label, annoyed to need meds, scared to try them.

I couldn't stand to gain weight so I'm afraid of that.

Im very ill with a killer flu right now so my mind frame is not the most positive....

I guess I'm still getting used to the idea, even though I suspected for the last 10 yrs or so.

Shoulda noticed soemthing was up for that two years I isolated myself in my house and didn't go out or have a job...

Now I'm over busy and without downtime.

Funny how that works.

[mammaopal]

Very interesting.
I actually had a feeling that you may be bipolar, but never asked.
Not because I could pinpoint any symptoms or anything, but just because I picked up on it energetically. I seem to have a lot of bipolar people in my life (including my partner)

The only way to know if lithium will work for you is to try. It's the same with any of the medications.

[strangie23]

Yeah....

I'm pretty opposed to meds but I might just need the help!

[xenophrenic]

Get a second opinion!

Jomega (Johanna, Elysha's friend) was diagnosed, she would know about it.

You can find her in my LJ friends, or FB (Johanna is the only Johanna I know)

[strangie23]

yeah... Except it took two years to get this opinion!

I wouldnt mind being in touch with soem other bis!

[xenophrenic]

I'll put you in touch via fb.

Andrea says flags should be up for lithium... it can level energy and mood - but it can also be a buzzkill for creative people who feed off these tensions. Andrea says it's mostly helpful if you're really impulsive in harmful ways.

"Energy work" might make you feel better, but I'd have serious doubts about its efficacy on on a biochemical imbalance if that's what's going on. Always remember the words of Tony Wilson in 24 Hour Party People...

"Energy? It's nothing more than a lot of new age hokum masquerading as spirituality."

Two years! So I take it they ruled out straight depression and took the time to figure it out? Did they do any physical testing?

[strangie23]

no i cant get in with a doctor and have been waiting two years for a referral that was made to see a pshchyatrist...

I dfinally cheated, lied to a doctor in whistler and got a referall to se a shrink up there, but now the gig is up and the md is refusing to treat me, tho the shrink still is seeing me, but not if i dont take my meds.

I really need a family doctor but no one is taking patients!

[ill_esha]

Screw lithium. If you've got the money to spend.. go see my friend. He works wonders. I can give you several references besides myself.

Call me if you want the number. He's not super pricey, either.

[strangie23]

Thnaks, but my account is in debt I cannot afford anything that isnt covered by my measly medical plan.

Bummer. Out of curiosity whet does your friend do?