Replies to 'Bipolar Disorder'

It must be difficult for you, with people saying that what you have is a "women's disorder"...that is bunk...yes, it is more common in women, but not unheard of in men...whoever is making those assumptions has no right to do so.

 

I graphed at one time, just to give documentation for my doctor...my scale is a 1 to 10 scale, and a minus one to minus 10 scale...I prefer the +1 level...not depressed, but not too manic.

 

With the right meds, I have been pretty stable for the most part.  My doctor has given me the flexibility to adjust one of my meds according to my moods.  I take Lamictal, Abilify, and Temazepam, plus Provigil, which is for Narcolepsy.  The Provigil, though, makes a huge difference for the depression...without it, I will crash into depression.  It is not labeled for that use, but it sure should be.

 

Some things to consider...how thorough has your doctor been in testing you to rule out or diagnose other conditions that could affect the bipolar disorder...I just recently found out that I have thyroid nodules, which produce too much thyroid in my body...causing anger, agitation, and anxiety.  I also have sleep apnea and Narcolepsy (diagnosed through a sleep study), which also definitely affect mood.  The thyroid problem was caught in routine blood tests, and the nodules were found in a thyroid scan, which was done because of abnormal blood test results. 

 

SO it is important that your doctor be thorough in your diagnosis...many people with bipolar have underlying sleep problems...not that the bipolar doesn't exist, but other issues can definitely affect the control of the bipolar disorder.  And, as I previously mentioned, the thyroid...high or low...can definitely affect moods and the ability to control them.

 

You might have to be pushy about getting the other tests, but there is definitely justification for thorough testing...just my thoughts on the subject.

 

Becky

 welcome to the message boards :)

I found out about a year ago i was bi-polar II.  I had the same work problems. My moods didn't change with the people I worked with, I always stayed very neutral, and managed the store and was nice to everyone. Everyone I worked under loved when I was managing them. My problem was, whether I could make it through the day without getting depressed.  Sometimes I felt like crying when I didn't know why. I have also had a really hard time dealing with these moods at work.  (The more I read on here, I guess the more I realize how the bi-polar actually did and does effect my life).  If anything in my personal life was stressing me out, it really bothered me to the point where i'd ask another co-worker to exchange working days with me.  As a manager I couldn't, but the days I didn't manage I was a server on the floor. I had some really good friends, that if i needed the day off, they would pull through for me.  Thats how I really got through it.  It depends on what kind of work you do i'm sure.  I found the restaurant business with more flexibility is the more ideal job for me once I got in and knew people.  Factories on the other hand, I could not, and I would just drown in my sorrow at my station.  It really sucked!!  It wasn't the work at all, that was easy, it was that I had too much time to think, and on my bad days, I thought and thought about the worse of things.  So, the only thing I could say to this is, it depends on how flexible your job is and if you have formed some kinda bond with others that will switch days with you if needed. (I never told them i was bi-polar) I would just ask them if they'd like to switch and have me work a day they wanted off.  
Good Luck
Rhonda :)