Replies to '08/01 Extreme Highs and Lows'

I was so happy Dr Phil was able to shed light on this disease.  I was diagnosed with this illness 4 years ago, after the birth of my third son.  I believe I have suffered with this problem since adolescence but was simply labeled as a moody person.  Since being diagnosed, by a wonderful psychiatrist, I have been on sooo many medications.  

 My psychiatrist is very current and knowledgeable regarding all meds, both new and old, used to treat this illness.   I do still suffer from highs and lows but my physician is usually able to bring me down from an extreme high or help pull me out of an extreme low.   I say usually because my success is often associated with my compliance with medications.  Like many other people who suffer from bipolar type II, when I start feeling good, I feel that medications are no longer required.  I have been hospitalized 4 times in the past 4 years.   

Unlike Cathy, on the show, my angry outburst are not expressed outwardly to others but internalized and result in self harm.  Although I must admit I have smashed many things around the house during my rages.  I am currently on seroquel which seems to be keeping my moods stable, but I do have a problem.  

I will be getting pregnant within the next two months (by ivf) and am worried about how this will affect my illness.  My psychiatrist is not too happy about my decision to have another child but I have three sons and desperately want a girl.  Prior to my last visit with my psychiatrist two weeks ago, I was taking CYMBALTA, TOPOMAX, and SEROQUEL.  I stopped the cymbalta and topomax in order to clean out my system before getting pregnant.   My psychiatrist advised me to keep taking the seroquel while I was pregnant, despite it being a CLASS C medication.  He feels this possible risks to the fetus are less than the risk I pose to myself when off medications.  From past experiences, when I am off medications my cycling becomes out of control.  I do not want to continue taking this medication because of its unknown effects on a developing fetus.  There are not many options for different medications as I have tried most of the drugs and seem to have success only with seroquel or cymbalta.    

Does anyone have any suggestions. At this point I I am going to stop taking the seroquel, take my chances and hope for the best.