Hi, my name's Kay. 1st off: there should be a "manic" option for "my mood," but I guess I'm drunk & that fits. So, whatever.

I have progressive MS, bipolar II, and GAD. I'm 30 yo., female, and I'm married. I'm not going to have children. I have 3 cats & they're my babies.
Unfortunately, I'm on SSDI because of physical handicaps, cognitive deficits, and MH issues.

Both my parents were alcoholics, as is my husband (surprise, surprise!). I had a hard childhood and was verbally and sexualy abused.
My mother passed away in 1997. My dad has mellowed a bit, and has been married twice since. I have an sister (31) and a brother (21).

I see a psychologist every 2-3 weeks, and a MH nurse practitioner every month. I have an emergency plan and try to do what I can to promote a better quality of life for myself.

For MH meds, I take: lamictal, effexor, low-dose xanax, and trazadone.

I take monthly infusions of Tysabri for my MS.

I have pain issues because of MS and Tysabri treatment- and it isn't currently well controlled.

My neurologist gave me a sample pack of nuvigil for fatigue at the last visit. I've used the old-school version, provigil, in the past with some success. I took one pill last Friday and I've been manic ever since. I will not take it again, even at a reduced dose, ever.

I usually sleep about 12 hours a day + naps, but operate poorly on that. I've had a couple of totally sleepless nights in the last week or so, 2 good nights' rest, and several nights of hourly wake ups. I'm like the walking dead. Meds were keeping highs/lows/suicidal thoughts minimal and less severe... with exceptions.

Cognitive problems + lack of sleep + mood disorder= 1 red hot mess

Alcohol intake & number of cigarettes have increased. I'm irritable, can't sit still, and can't stop all the racing thoughts.
I keep thinking I'm finally going to come down, but it hasn't happened, but I'll welcome it when it comes.

Right now, I'm at my worst. Can't stop talking, but my husband can't understand me because I'm so tired I'm slurring. My ability to find words and make sense is failing, but I don't think I should be made fun of because of it. My mind is dragging my body around.

Nice intro, eh? I was holding back, as I'm sure you can understand.

-Kay

Dear Kay,

Welcome!

My 2 cents: You likely do not need both the Effexor and the Trazadone. The Lamictal can be activating. You don't need two anti-depressants on top of the Lamictal.

Talk to the Nurse Practitioner about a med change.

Thanks for the warning about the Nuvigil. I have some samples that I have not taken.

I'm on my way to sleep. 'Talk to you later.
M.

I only take a small dose of trazadone at bedtime to help me sleep (it usually helps), but obviously not helping right now.

Thanks for the welcome and the advice, Mari. If you do decide to try the nuvigil, I wouldn't start with the whole pill. I was told to take the full 150mg pill first, and cut it in half if it was too much.

Thanks again!
Kay

Dear Kay,
WElcome to the bipolar forums!
I have to say that you may need a med to slow you down, lamictal really helps on the depression side but I don't think it helps with the manic side.
YOu may need to take an anti psychotic for a short time basis to bring down the mania. I take geodon, with out side effects for me.
there are others you may have heard of.
abilify, seroquel, some take that to sleep as well., zyprexa but only on a really short term basis, geodon which I take long term but I am bipolar 1 and need it for maintenence.
I am sorry that you are going thru all of this and wish you had more support.
Call you pdoc/nurse on monday!
bizi

Welcome aboard Kay!

i too want to encourage you to see your doctor regarding possibilty of:

- stopping the Effexor, at least for now. it will probably have to be tapered. this drug is activating and could easily contribute to your state.

- adding a mood stabilizer/anti-manic agent. The Lamictal has antidepressant qualities and helps increase time between episodes but does not work against mania. can be, but doesn't have to be an antipsychotic - lithium and depakote are still used and both work pretty fast.

keep us posted!

~ waves ~

Hi I'm Donna and I am not bipolar. But I have a son that is.

I also have a son that has epilepsy and anxiety. I also have
anxiety and a few other issues.

But what I take from this group is what I tell others is the best in the forums.

Its the fact that we are hear to listen and try to help. Some are very
knowledgeable about medications. And then some of us just are good
at listening.

Donna

Dear Kay,
Do you like your psychologist and NP?
I've noticed on these boards that people do have a good chance of getting better when they have professionals on board that they know and trust.

M.

Hello there !!!

Im Blue, well, Im Majo...

Like Donna said, we are here to listen Share HELP ! (Oh man, this forum has helped me more than anything/anybody in this life!)

So, WELCOME !!!

Im bipolar II, have fibro, hypothiroidism, alopecia, a dog, a nasty group of people around me, the best cyber friends ever, 2 eyes that I hurt, 100 extra pounds and... more issues !

Anyway, welcome again !!! Take care !

Thanks for all of the support and good advice, guys!

I know I've been quiet for several days, but I haven't been able to settle down enough to post or read.

I love my psychologist. She's fantastic! She knows my medical history well, and is very familiar with the details of my life stages. There's a great exhange of thoughts and ideas.

I also really liked my MHNP, but she's moving to a private practice where she only sees patients once a week. She's older and is taking more and long vacations. She doesn't even have a receptionist, and covers for her self via cell phone...

I saw my psychologist on Tuesday and we decided that I'm not stable enough for the above situation. I'm going to try a new MHNP in my psychologist's practice. My psychologist recommended 2 people, and one prefer if it I saw one in particular (who also worked for a long time in medical surgical nursing) who may not be accepting new patients. So, she's going to put a call in for me.

I'm still all over the place, but not as bad as before. I'm still not sleeping through the night, but some of that is due to pain.

Just giving you guys an update. I hope to settle down some more so I can read and respond to more posts.

Thanks again,
Kay

Dear Kay

i am glad you have such a good relationship with your psychologist.

she sure sounds on top of things and helpful in making sure you are getting the care you need.

i hope things work out with the new MHNP she is trying to hook you up with...

thanks for the post... post when you can



~ waves ~