Katielinn, welcome to the board. You will find lots of support here from people in the same boat as you.
I have struggled over the last 15 years to get the right meds. You're right, depression sucks!!
I, too, have fibromyalgia, and the pain is often a lot to bear...paid breeds depression, and depression breeds more pain. I would suggest a chirpractor, physical therapy, or water walking to help with the pain. Ask your family doc for a referral. I am currently in a bad flare-up, and those things are helping, slowly, for me. The most frustrating thing was that it took years to get it diagnosed...was called a hypochondriac for a lot of years due to lack of lab or xray findings..."it's all in your head" they told me. I am so angry at those docs...It was a relief to finally have a name for my pain.
Getting a diagnosis for the bipolar was a long road too. I had the symptoms since I was a child, but for me, it seemed normal...didn't everybody go through good times and bad? I didn't realize that the extremes were not normal...again, it was a relief to finally get the correct diagnosis and the correct meds.
I take Lamictal and Abilify, plus Temazepam for sleep. On top of my other problems, I have Narcolepsy, which made me into a total slug. I now take Provigil for that, which makes me able to have a life, and helps with the depression.
My pdoc and I have to adjust my meds according to my break-through mood problems...it's an on-going process. I take the Abilify at night because it will cause drowsiness if taken in the morning. I have seasonal affective disorder also...that makes the med adjustments that much more important.
I was on a med that made me hungry and lethargic, and I gained 50 pounds. Then I was put on another that caused weight gain at a slower rate. Since changing to my current combo, I have lost 50 pounds, and my overall health has improved greatly...no more metabolic syndrome or high LDL and extremely low HDL...now at nearly normal levels.
If you are unhappy with your symptoms, talk it over with your pdoc, and together research whether you should be changed on your prescriptions. Tiredness is an unacceptable side effect for me.
Overdoing it is bad for fibromyalgia. It causes more pain, and also causes you to be tired...be careful not to overdo it...say NO to some of the volunteer opportunities that come your way...only do what you can do comfortably, and don't feel guilty about saying NO, or for asking your family for help.
Because of the bipolar, I am on SSDI, and not working has caused so much LESS stress in my life...dealing with coworkers, and having such a regimented schedule, especially when depressed, was just too much for me.
Well, I hope this info helps you...Becky
