HI, my name is Anissa. I'm 36 and i live in Nebraska. I dont have ADD... well not officially. But have been told i have some. I was diagnosed with bipolar this year, along with fibromyalgia and degenerative arthritis. So its been very hard to get a grip and try to handle all three. My bipolar was under control until yesterday when i had a major trigger set it off. Now i'm racing thoughts and depressed. And that makes the fibro flare up too.

I had a therapist. But on top of screwed up billing issues, all she wanted to do was talk about the past. Not help me learn to deal with flare ups, etc. Most of what i have learned has been threw books and the net. A bipolar person knows that they cant do this on their own, even though they try. Because of the stigmatizm that is placed on us. The one thing i hate is to go to someone and have them help me threw all this. Before i got on the meds, heck.. i didn't know i was doing anything different from anyone else.Now on the meds, i know and feel when i am changing and i completely hate it.

Right now I go to a physical therapist, which helps with the pains. And going back to another dr who treats FMS and does some about bipolar. Right now i have a doctor for each one and its just not working out.

My children have lived with melike this for so long, they just shrug their shoulders and say .... whelp on of moms days and they just dont do anything to set me off more, or they help out a lil more. Very mature kids (13 and 16) The husband... well totally different area. Not even going to touch that one because had a very bad couple days. Traveling to battle the ex hubby in court... another long story.

But the last two days i've had so many triggers, and i just feel like exploding. But i'm keeping it inside. because right now my body hurts too damn bad to do anything

Well that was a long winded intro...
i look forward to reading and getting to know everyone.

Anissa

That's a huge ball of wax you're dealing with and unfortunately, I understand. I too wear more labels than I care to think about, Bipolar II rapid cycling and FMS are at the top of my list. I've been through several doctors over the years and I know how difficult it is to find the right one(s) and I also know what a pain insurance can be. That being said, I think you need to keep looking for the "right" doctor(s). I know that's easier said than done but trust me, when you find the right person(s) it's amazing what can be done. Currently, my pdoc is the ringleader. I'm very fortunate that I've found him. There are days I think he knows more than anyone else and he keeps tabs on everything that's being done. I believe that's key to becoming a healthy person, with so many issues, someone has to be in control to prevent conflicting therapies.

I'm glad that your kids know you well enough that they take the swings in stride. There are days that I look at mine and wonder what I've put them through all these years, diagnosed and undiagnosed. I think the one thing that I do know is that despite all my ups and downs and my inability to be there for them like I wish I could, they KNOW how much I love them and they are independent, self-reliant individuals that are strong and compassionate. They don't always understand and it sucks that they have to deal with it, but what great people they're becoming. If only everyone could be as loving and understanding.

There will still be those days that you wonder what happened, those hidden and known triggers will come out of nowhere and have the potential to knock you on your rear. Just keep in mind that unlike before, you know what needs to be done and the more you learn, the more power you have to regain control over your reactions to those triggers...but always remember, sometimes you need to let go.

Welcome to the forums :)