Replies to 'Bipolar Disorder'

Hi...I am from Canada and I am new to the board.  I actually found out about this when I happened to catch the Dr. Phil program on Bi-Polar the other day.  I am 52 and this time  last year I was diagnosed with Bi-Polar... I was in total "disbelief" last year ...I won't get into the details of this however 

I was most interested in the segment of the Dr. Phil's show re: Brain Spec Imaging.   My take on this 

procedure is that with new technology versus MRI and Cat Scan ...it seems that they can pinpoint exactly what type of meds you should be on ...if I am right that caught my attention big time.  I have been reading numerous posts over these last couple days and I get the impression that the Medications once diagnosed can be trial and error at times and may be time consuming to get right....again I am a newbie ...any feedback would be appreciated.   I have been hospitalized twice this past year, my first time ... the doctor wanted me on Lithium however I refused treatment...again I  

was in disbelief...how could a high functioning professional working lady be Bi-Polar...and please 

I am not saying with any disrespect but it was like my life did a 360 degree turnaround in a matter of months....I just could not believe this was happening to me.   Six months later I was hospitalized again...well my disbelief is now gone and I am "dealing" with this new reality in my life.  However what I found puzzling was that the second doctor 

another one...did not prescribe Lithium even though both worked in the same hospital ward. 

Rather he prescribed Risperdal 2mg and Lorazepan 1 mg. 

Sorry if I am rambling here...but after hearing Dr. Phil's program I decided to call Brain Spec Imaging in the USA....I spoke to someone and gave them some general info. and they were 

to call me back yesterday or today I believe this is a  Patient Counsellor to give me more info...I did receive 

a call ...a taped message saying they will call me in the next few days ...appparently they got a flood of phone calls from Canada.   By chance does anyone in Canada know about this?  and I ask from 

Canada ...just wondering how things are handled re: your exisiting medical file here etc...? 

Again I am sure they will inform me when they call back.  I just want to make sure I am on the 'right" 

medications...I guess I don't want find out a year from things aren't working...time to change another 

mix of meds. 

Something else if anyone could help...I am presently employed ...I have been with this company since 1990 and they were very supportive last year...however I decided recently to get into another 

job situation...my question is this...and again if any helpful Canadian can help I would be grateful... 

I had two incidents with Cas last year....as you know when Cas is involved the Police are involved as well atleast in this country...now when applying for a new job ...are these files sealed? 

Anyone that may be able to give me information I would be very very grateful. 

Maybe I am being too cautious here but I know when I do land a job and hope to soon with benefits ...I will not claim my medications for fear of being let go because of the stigma attached to this illness.  In my present job situation I am strictly on commission ...another reason to move on 

lighten the stress even though I enjoyed the challenge over the years and was quite sucessful... 

I was almost like my own independent business person...now getting into the corporate world with 

benefits etc...this is a whole new ball game for me....if anyone could give me any insights I would 

be very very  grateful.  Thanks....Lynniekin from Canada.