Hello everyone! I'm new here. I've been having some problems that go back years and years and I'm so confused. I am finally going in to see a neuro but the appointment is still 2 weeks away. In the mean time my mind is running.

A little history:
I'm a 38 year old female with a 6 year old, 4 year old and 1 year old twins.
I began taking antidepressants for the first time when I was 18 years old. Took them on and off throughout 20's but never for very long.
After birth of 2nd child go on them for severe PPD. (so I thought?) Symptoms were mostly TOTAL and UTTER fatigue. I could barely function.
I got on Lexipro and it didn't do much so they added Abilify and I felt great but proceeded to gain 40 lbs. Yuck.
Stayed on these meds throughout twin pregnancy and switched from Abilify to Latuda and have been able to manage a better weight.
Starting about 3 or 4 months ago the fatigue started becoming unbearable again. And no, it's not due to babies not sleeping!
Let me premise the fatigue thing: I've ALWAYS had fatigue problems since I can remember. Needing much more sleep than others, having difficulty getting to sleep and difficulty waking always. Energy level much lower than most peoples. Have always fought through it until I can't and will often sleep an entire weekend away "catching up".

Anyway, lately no amount of catching up helps. I'm sleepy all the time. I went to a sleep specialist 2 weeks ago and he says he "knows" I have narcolepsy. Hum. There are a battery of symptoms and I have most. I'm undergoing a sleep study soon enough, but had one a few years ago that he says supports his diagnosis (he wasn't my doc at the time). I'm totally confused by this. This may mean I haven't ever been depressed but just totally sleep deprived.

My psychiatrist however thinks I may actually be bipolar which is why I got good effect from Abilify and Latuda.

I don't know what to think.

They both want me to see a neuro to rule out anything physical...i.e. brain tumor, MS, etc.

Here's the thing. Last week I started taking a drug Nuvigil to help me with daytime energy. It was the best thing ever for a few days but then I felt like I was going crazy. I wasn't sleeping at all, my vision was totally blurry and I felt like I was in a tunnel. I was dizzy and nauseous. Needless to say I stopped it. It has been a week now and the feeling "out of it" sensation still hasn't gone away. I feel like my head isn't attached to my shoulders and that I can't think straight. I'm easily disoriented too. As for physical symptoms, my neck, upper back, and jaw/face have been so tense and painful it's awful. I've also had terrible headaches that are lasting all day long.

My sleep doc also wants me testing for Lyme disease.

I know that this is anything but straight forward. But narcolepsy? Bipolar? (I'm NEVER manic but def swing from really low to normal a lot) I just don't know. I keep thinking that the neuro is going to find something like a tumor or MS or something else. All I know is that I can't stand feeling like this and I need something/someone to help me figure this all out!!!

Thanks for any info you can provide if you have any experience with any of these things!

Mom_2_4,

It is great to have you come and be with us. You will find a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. Please let us know how we can help you out. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

With the little ones you have seems like you stay pretty busy. Here are some forum to look into. There a good number of friends there to help you out.

Sleep Apnea & Sleep Disorders:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum45.htm

Please keep us up to date on your condition. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

Welcome Mom_2_4.

I go from really low to normal a lot and I was diagnosed as bi polar 2. every now and then I get above normal and a little manic, but not often.