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| Tue, 11-09-2004 - 4:28pm |
I'm in my late 30's, from western Canada. I have had clinical depression since about the onset of puberty.
My biological father is bipolar. I was adopted as a baby, and had no idea about his condition until about 10 years ago.
I have yet to be diagnosed as BP, but am seeing my GP on Friday to talk about things.
I did a quiz online at one of the university sites and it told me to seek treatment for BP right away, so I made an appt. with my dr.
I live in Alberta and, unless you are pretty much confided to psychiatric facility you don't get to see a pdoc, period. I'm originally from Ontario where I saw a pdoc regularly for my depression. Now, all you get here are psychologists at $125 an hour :(
I've been on every antidepressant known to man/woman kind, I suspect. I'm not on 60 mg of Celexa a day. I take .25 mg of Chlonazepam at bedtime for my panic attacks
I will post after i've seen my gp on Friday.
If any of you have favourite websites regarding BP, that you would like to share, I'd appreciate it.
I also wanted to add that for 20 years I was morbidly obese and I have PCOS. I had weight loss surgery 2 years ago and only lost 60 pounds. I have about 40 more to go. I am a constant binge eater. I wonder sometimes if BP has something do to with this?
Traci

Sorry to hear that your access to pdocs is so limited in Alberta. However, I know sometimes a GP can be just as good!
This is the only website I frequent regarding BP, but I know some people have found a great deal of useful information on the NAMI (I think that's right) website. Marci will have the correct info if I have it wrong :)
Also, there is (or use to be) a weight loss section to our little group for supporting each other in our efforts, so feel free to post there also. I know I am really bad about visiting that section, but I think some of the others frequent it. That is awesome that you have made such progress!!!
Good luck at your appt and keep posting!
Tracey
I gained a lot of weight on some of the AD's, so I can relate to that. I'm starting to try to lose some now. Its such a struggle.
Hope to get to know you better!!!
Hugs,
Keli
That is a shame you don't have pdocs where you live other then in inpatient hospitals. I really hope you are treated appropriately by the doctor you do see. Please let us know how your appointment goes on friday.
Bipolar is not a fun illness at all so getting treated for it is important. Do you have counselors there that you can see and talk to? That would help you too...if they are available and don't cost too much.
Feel free to come here to this board anytime to post about what is going on with you. How you are feeling, questions or just to vent. We are here for you. Hang in there.
Tina~
Thanks so much for the warm welcome.
My appt. with my GP is in about 5 hours. I don't even know how to approach her about it. But I'll figure it out in the next couple of hours.
There are counsellors, but they are about $150.00 an hour and I just can't afford that.
I'd prefer to read a book that costs $10.00 :)
And as you know psychologist can't prescribe or regulate meds and that is what I need.
Keli, I think it was you who mentioned the weight loss support group. I'm joining that right away. There is definately a connection with antidepressants and my weight gain.
Before I started on my plethora of antidepressants, I could at least manage the extra 10 pounds. It quickly grew to 100 extra pounds on Prozac.
Thanks ladies, so much. I'll let you know what happens this afternoon
Love and health,
Traci
She did say "it's time you met with a pdoc"
However....the waiting list to see one...
is MONTHS long.
As much as people say how wonderful the Canadian health care system is...ppl need to see the side Canadians see. This is typical
So I'll just carry on in the meantime.
Thanks ladies for your support
Traci
Hang in there sweety, until you can get in to see a pdoc. In the meantime, use us as much as you need to!!!!
Tracey
I'm just going to hang here and eventually I'll get my appointment. I'm just going to make sure I'm adequately prepared when I see the pdoc.
My doctor thinks that because my manic times aren't 'days long' that I'm likely not bipolar.
I know that without my antidepressants, I'm almost completely suicidal. I certainly get my sex drive back, but I want to jump off a building so it's not worth it. I've stopped taking my meds, trying an 'herbal' route several times.
So I'll just hang with you folks here until my appt. comes.
Thanks again
Hugs
Traci
Please hang in there with us until you can get some help. We're here for you.
HUGS!
Keli