I have never kept a job for more than 3-4 months. Every time I think my meds are doing me good I go into a 2-3 month episode with my ups and downs changing every day and I'm getting to the point where I'm ready to just give up. I have a 14 month little boy that I am trying to raise by myself and if I dont go back to work soon and get back on the right track I'm going to loose him. I see my doc. every other day and take my meds but nothing is helping. What do I do??????
207363
I think that you need to talk to your doctor and have him change the type of medication or the dosage because it sounds to me that you are still having manic/depressive episodes. My best friend went through this for months and they found out the medication was conflicting with other meds and they were just not effective. If nothing else get a second opinion!
300907
Besides medication, what else are you doing for treatment?  You should talk to someone about your feelings.  Not necessarily a professional, but at least someone you trust.  If that isn't helping, then maybe consider professional therapy.  This is VERY common, and often goes untreated.  You've recognized a problem, now just keep working at it.  You probably won't be on meds forever.  Don't focus on the fact that you're taking pills, focus on relieving your PPD.  You daughter will thank you later!
156885
i've battled bouts of depression for years.this weekend i figured out that i probably should live in a warm climate in the winter, because from the holidays until the weather starts getting warm i just hate everything.   it took years to figure this out.  but sit down and try and feel why you are so down.  if it's not because of what is going on in your life, it could be something chemically going on in your brain.  and there are meds to help that.  just tell your doctor .  i know my doc gave me a couple of books to read about life,etc. and a prescription.  i analyzed myself and i think i know what the problem is now.  next step is what can i do about it.?  as much as i'd like to i can't go to florida every winter.  but i can make it a goal for myself.  please talk to your doctor.  especially if something is going on in your life.  doctors don't judge you.  they are there to help you.
158954
You keep asking for help. People have answered with great advice. But you take no action to get the help you need. We can do no more for you now. IT IS ALL UP TO YOU NOW! Make a decision to go to the doctor and get some professional help. YOU have to decide to do what is best for you and your situation. Why keep asking if you are not going to take action. I could be helping some else who really wants help instead of spending it on someone who can't reach the correct decision to simply go to a trained professional. Good luck and Goodbye!
310949
The meds are probly not the answer. Take a look at life style. Elimanate candy and juink food. Make sure he gets 3 balanced meals a day. Plenty of sleep, and of couse a little one on one parent time.
314847
I FEEL SO BAD! Where's the time for you? I didn't see anything for you at all. I didn't see any counseling for yourself. My fiancee has ADHD also and I know how that part of what you're going through. We're not married yet, but it's taken quite a bit to get his mom to finally accept our relationship but, your mothers treatment is UNACCEPTABLE! You ever watch the Nanny on tv? She says a childs behavior is UNACCEPTABLE quite a bit. She's not a child (which would be more Acceptable) she should be showing you more respect. You can only do what you can handle. You're first priority is to yourself and your immediate family. Meaning you, your children and your spouse. Your husband needs to stand up to the plate. (as my fiancee finally did) He needs to back you when it comes to his mother. His first priority is with you and your children. He also needs to be helping you with the children and around the house as much as possible. Even though he doesn't work, you two need to have a night out once-in-awhile by yourselves. Maybe, you can talk to your mother-in-law about a limit of times to help her and she in return watches the children for you night out. By this I mean EQUAL TIME. As far as the bills, reality isn't that your mother-in-law is going to pay the bills. First off, I don't see if you're living with your mother-in-law but, if you are that's going to be a majority of the problem. Which getting your own place would be greatly advised. There are places that can help with deposits and financial resources. In all, it makes me believe you are living with your mother-in-law and that's going to be a very hard and stressful situation. My advise is to move. Your husband may be ADHD (so is my fiancee) but, he still needs to know he is to be responsible. Write down what he needs to do and try to involve the children in all the chores. Watch "The Nanny." Or go online if you can't get that show in. She helps not only the children but, the relationship with the parents towards how to keep everything together. You're not a work horse and no one should treat you according. Good Luck!
54286
Tell you therapist and your psychiatrist. Make sure they both know you took medication previously but that you think you needed a stronger dose. If you don't tell them what's going on, they can't help you.
533395
It sounds like you've done everything possible to get your life straightened out. Good for you...I think you will get your kids back eventually. Now that there's a new case worker maybe things will change. Keep up the good work and keep praying. I hope things will work out for you.
169432
I'm not a mental health provider but I've had bipolar disordar for 15 years. There's help out there. Medicines, therapist. Get to a phone book, now! Look up mental health providers and call!  I hope you get a chance to re-read this answer, I've been thinking about you all night. Last week I felt "weird" and ended up talking to a caseworker at my insurance company for thirty minutes until my husband could get home from work. He stayed home for a week to keep me out of the psychiatric ward.  Sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures. e-mail me at mybilbrey@yahoo.com if you need to.  I've been on Social Security for 15 years because I get confused and can't work.  I understand! CJB
543345
Yes you have symptoms of being depressed.  My son is exactly like you.  He is 14 years old and is ADHD.  He takes Conserta as well.  He also takes Wellbutrim for his depression.  He was always so very negative and unhappy.  Now with his Conserta and his antidepressant, he is much happier.  I think it helps him to bring more things into perspective for him.  He is also getting older and learning more how to control his temper, moods, etc...he is coping much better.  There is a future for you.  You gotta want it.  The world is not against you sweets...make your decision to make something of your life, use your meds to help you get there. Talk to your doctor and ask about an antidepressant.  Tell him or her how you are feeling, etc...this medicine is a great addition to my son's ADHD meds Conserta.  Be sure to talk to your parents and go see your doctor.  You can do this!  You have a future and I am gonna root for ya!  Take care kiddo!
668380
It can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks to really see a noticable change - and even then, you may not "notice."  It's like you wake up one day, and say..."hey...I'm not so nervous now."  Lots of things can trigger your bipolar disorder. Have you had a recent upset or something that changed your life?  I was diagnosed shortly after I started my current job - 10 yrs ago.  I went from being a single, unemployed mother with no money and barely enough to live on...to someone who could support herself.  But I didn't know what to "do."  And I was afraid I would fail.  I was lost...I had not worked in 2 yrs, had not had a life other than going to the grocery store and doctors offices. But after a couple of months of being on the medication, I felt better, and it was a welcomed change. I actually wanted to go to bed at night so I could get up the next day, go to work, and make a life for myself.  It took about 2 months for it to really take effect though.  It'll be ok.  I think you've just not given it enough time yet.  Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon.
146411
I have suffered bipolar for a long time and was on lithium and got well for a while but I got defiant and got sick again with the destructive highs and the desperate lows so stay on your med and talk to your doctor. If you are not happy seek another opinion until you find someone who works well with you and for you. I am now on Valpro and risperadol and I have been well for over 6 years and I have been working full time for two years now. There is something that helps me and that is writing. I keep a diary and write my thoughts and musing in it. Doing crosswords is a good thing to get your mind off your troubles. Good luck and if I can help further contact me at <firenzeperme@yahoo.com.au>\nIf you going through a low reading about your condition will not be a great help but bipolar.com have a downloadable diary that you keep to track your moods on a daily basis. Give it go and keep your chin up! You are not alone in this battle.
433823
I had this exact same problem in 7th grade.  Before the year was over I just stopped going to school and starting homeschooling.  Your are way ahead of me, though.  It took me years to get up the courage to go to the doctor to get on some medication.  I've been on meds for a couple years now and I still think about returning to high school for my senior year.... but I just don't think I could handle it.  Go back to the doctor and have him check your dosage, it took awhile to get mine correct.  Maybe you just need a touch more medication every day to help.  This probably did help much, but I just wanted to let you know that you are far from the only one out there having this problem. : )
609750
I am not sure how old or young you are but if you are old enough, you can say no to being hospitalized or have a parent/guardian say no if you aren't old enough. I know that our daughter over  4 years ago had problems when she was in 4th grade, and because at that time she was being extremely violent, and was then to go on to be diagnosed with bipolar, but she stayed one night in the emergency area. We then refused her to be hospitalized, and I stayed home with her and was with her 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until the medication kicked in and she was feeling better. She also went to a psychologist and still goes now and then, as it helps her to not only talk with us but to talk to a therapist. You have say over your own care, especially if you are at that moment of legal age, and of sound mind,etc. Good luck, just don't worry about it all, go and get the help you need! Just make sure you find yourself a good psychiatrist, referrals from friends, family members or call to your local hospital and they'll usually give you 3 names of psychiatrists. Take care of YOU!!!! You may also need a tranquilizer of some kind, and if you are continuing to have suicidal thoughts, sometimes having that major tranquilizer can calm you down until the antidepressants kick in. Please get help ASAP!!!
7437
I don't know about the being pregnant part, but as for being off meds and managing, I do know how difficult that can be. I suggest going to support groups, finding other pregnant women with bipolar to talk to. Can help you feel more "normal" if they share that they're having the same thoughts and feelings as you. I'm a strong believer in therapy and meds as joint treatment. So if you're off meds, I'd make sure to do more therapy. I'm bipolar and take seroquel, effexor and lamictal. I'm going to try to have a baby in the upcoming year. So I'll probably have to go off the meds then. I hope it's not too bad, and I'm planning to talk to my friends/family up front about how much I'll be relying on them for support. I wish you the best and hope this helps a little.
93039
I have dealt with this too. The best thing to do is for him to start back on his meds. But with someone with this condition you can not convince them. They have to decide for themselves and sometimes they do. You can try to talk to him when he is being nice if you think it is safe. But I know from experience their mood can change quickly. If he is not on his meds you should not be there. It can be dangerous. I know you care for him but you do not want something bad to happen. Find someone to live with until you have the money to move, a friend, a parent, someone.
313314
Most meds have the chance of becoming ineffective. Stay in touch with your doctor. Maybe your dose is not right yet or your medication needs to be changed. Good Luck!