Hello,
I just posted my story on another area but thought I'd try to reach more people this way also!

I am so glad to find this forum!

I am a 32 years old woman. 6 years ago I was diagnosed with Bipolar II. I was on Geodon and Lamictal for many years, and for the last 16 months have only been on Depakote ER and clonezapan (to help with sleep). I also take zoloft only 4 days before and after I am SUPPOSED to get my period to help with PMS. This drug regime is great for my mood and I love my psychiatrist.

I have also had 2 tonic seizures in the last 5 years. The first was in November of 2006, the next September of 2008. No explanation has been found, but we believe my "trigger" is lack of sleep, and thus...I try to get 8 hours a day now.

Approx 2 years ago (summer of 2009) my hair started to fall out/thin. It was noticable enough for people who only know me in a "polite" way to ask about it or mention it. It took ME a while AND asking my hairdresser for an honest answer about it to believe them. It is still quite thin in areas, including the top of my scalp at my hairline, and the sides of my hair. My husband and good friends help me "hide it" if my scalp starts to show!

In December of 2009 I mysteriously lost around 20 pounds, going from an average size (size 10) to pretty thin for me (size 6-8), and approx 155 lbs to 135 lbs. I blamed stress. In February of 2010 I began to gain weight, and have now gained 60 lbs over the last 17 months and weigh 195.

In February of 2010 I went to the doctor because of my hair loss and a sudden sense of fatigue I had NEVER felt before. My FORMER doctor laughed at me and said 12.9 rheumatoid level was only a little high, and he (a 60 year old MAN), wished he had as much hair as me. A month later I went for a second opinion, and they did not find different results. In March of 2011 I went back to the doctor. My rheumatoid level was now 24.7 and my thyroid was "elevated". I have an appointment with a rheumatologist in August but would be so thankful for some help or advice NOW from the REAL EXPERTS, those of you who live with these situations!

I lead an EXTREMELY busy lifestyle and have a 3 year old..."tired" has never been in my vocabulary, but suddenly I am exhausted much of the time. I am in so much pain it is often very difficult to walk. The bottoms of my feet hurt so badly I have considered getting a motorized cart at the grocery store. My feet often hurt worse after I've been sitting or resting them for a while, or when I get out of bed in the morning! Ouch! My body hurts in general...shoulders, HANDS, fingers, ankles, forearms, BACK (lower and upper), hips, neck. It is really hard. It is just so hard to exist with the pain. I don't have time to be still, but even when I am still I still have pain!

I have not been diagnosed with anything YET. Any thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? Anyone else go through this?

BTW, my dad had rheumatic fever as a kid and was in bed for a year and had to learn to walk again. He has had a few very severe flare ups since but is MOSTLY in good shape and very active (at the age of 63). We DO have other cases of arthritis in the family, also.

Thanks so very much!