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1912569 tn?1485015929

Confused

I am having some issues that I'm not sure are postpartum or Bp. I started showing symptoms in 2010, which I thought were pmdd because I would get really bad cramps and horrible mood swings. I moved an decided to see a doc and was diagnosed in fen 2012 as Bp. However, after having my daughter in 2010 (this is after the symptoms were already there routinely) my symptoms got worse. I was given meds an I stayed off and on meds for about a year. I was symptom free or at least mild symptoms during tht year. I recently had baby number 2 and it is 6weeks postpartum and I can feel the highs and lows coming back. Is this more hormonal or Bp? I have been in denial for the most part, although I was surely convinced that before diagnosis it was either Bp or pmdd. My doc says I am but is it possible to not have symptoms so bad for a year and then pregnancy makes them come back? I have been a complete ***** towards my fiancé. Although my anger is a little easier to control, it's more of an apathetic demeanor. Any advice or experiences?
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Avatar universal
Hello. I am in a very similar situation. I had a baby 5 months ago and have been a mess ever since. I personally did not know that I was bipolar until after this pregnancy.

My Dr says that having a baby, with the stress and hormones, can trigger an episode. I am having a really severe one even though the last time was almost 6 yrs ago after the birth of my middle child.

I hate taking medication but I am currently taking Lamictal and Klonopin as needed. I am not sure if its making me better or worse right now. I know how scary this is for you but I just have to keep reminding myself that this will get better and will not last forever!

I hope things get better soon !!
Helpful - 1
1912569 tn?1485015929
I agree that this low or high won't last forever. It is just weird because this time around is not as bad as when it first started. Stress I think was a contributing factor, but the family history or mental illness is there on my moms side. Just difficult to discern if it's hormonal or bp because of the timing in the cycles. I am not on medication and haven't been for about 2 years now and I feel like myself again, sometimes a good thing sometimes a bad thing. Maybe my case is not so severe, I'm just not sure. I will need to talk to my doc again and clear this up or go into some cbt because I am confused. Hope things get better for you as well. Oh and one thing I have tried that helps a bit is binaural beats. You listen with your headphones and it helps with different things like sleep or calming down.
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