Lurker coming out with a question

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2005
Lurker coming out with a question
4
Wed, 08-09-2006 - 12:54pm

Hi all. I'm Jodi. I've been under treatment for depression for years now. The latest med I've been taking is cymbalta. I've been fairly happy with it but I feel like it isn't totally working. I have the worst mood swings and moments of rage. I don't have the feeling that I'll hurt myself or anything like that but I get so mad at the simplest little things and I feel the rage taking over. Just little things like my DD singing the same song over and over and over will set me off! I don't want to be an angry mom who says hurtful things to my child!


I guess my question is, how do you know if it's depression or if you're really bipolar? I've looked at some of the symptoms and feel I fit the bipolar more than depression. I'm going to see my Psy. on Wednesday and I'm going to have a long talk with him about maybe changing med's and getting something to help my angry side. I just don't want to turn myself into a zombie, kwim?


Anyway, just wanted to help with the message count and say HI to everybody. I've enjoyed reading all your posts and feel very comfortable here. :)


Jodi

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 08-09-2006 - 1:14pm

Hi Jodi. For many years I was misdiagnosed as suffering from major depression. Then I got really manic, loved it, and didn't change a thing. However, as we all know, Bipolar will worsen without treatment, whether we want it to or not. So, it kinda threw me on my butt. I got meds. Went in for treatment, now, 5 years later, am as stable as I can get.

I too, knew, without a doubt, that I was Bipolar.

Talk to your psychiatrist at length about your feelings. And do not be scared of the meds...remember YOU ARE IN CONTROL. Not the doctor. If your meds make you uncomfortable to the point you don't like it, you can change them. There are SO MANY different meds out there that are used with a good success rate.

I too, had the rages...and so does my son. My brother, who is also BP, has major anger and rage issues as well.

Good luck with the pdoc visit and I hope you'll stay out of lurkdom now!!!

Hugs,

Keli

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2005
Wed, 08-09-2006 - 1:38pm

Hi and Welcome !!!

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God could not be everywhere, so

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2006
Wed, 08-09-2006 - 3:53pm

Hi Jodi and welcome to the board!


Both Keli and Donna have given you good advice. I too have serious rage issues. My dd 16 (who is also bp) had a meltdown today and it took everything I had not to blow. All because she was upset about being sick. Anyway, that's just a glimpse into what I am like and how quick I can be set off. Currently I'm off my meds, but there are little indicators that tell me to go back on them, that was one example.


Definitely be up front with your pdoc. It's his/her job to listen to what you are telling them so they can help you to the best of their abilities. This is something that up until recently I was never very good at. I always thought that the doctor could just "tell" what was going on with me. With my new pdoc I'm very comfortable telling her what's up so she can get my meds right. Unfortunately I've been all over the map and she has been trying to keep up with that and as a result I'm on all kinds of meds and feel over medicated. So my next appointment I'm going to talk to her about it to see if we can resolve the problem.


Hang in there and keep posting. We look forward to getting to know you better.


Hugs,
Traci

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-23-2006
Wed, 08-09-2006 - 5:29pm

Hi Jodi,
I was also treated for depression for 6 years before being diagnosed with bipolar. I had been taking effoxor for years, and it just never seemed to work...either did the other meds. My primary care doc kept increasing my dosage of effexor...eventually sending me into a manic state. I was acting crazy, but I couldn't see it. My husband is the one who thought I could possibly be bipolar, and my Mom found a great pdoc for me. I do still have my bad days, but I feel so much better now taking the right meds!! I would talk to your doctor. Welcome to the board!

~Renee

P.S. I take cymbalta now too, and love it!