Fibromyalgia and Bipolar Disorder: How I Handle Both

I had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia for many years before I was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Fibromyalgia is often treated with anti-depressants, and unfortunately bipolar disorder causes many awful side effects when treated with anti-depressants. I experienced some of the worst reactions I have ever felt while being treated by anti-depressants. Zoloft nearly made me kill myself- and I wasn't even suicidal!

Thankfully, the doctor that I had at the time recognized that the reactions that I was having were typical for a bipolar individual, and sent me to a psychiatrist, who, after a long questionnaire and discussion, diagnosed me as, indeed, bipolar. He started me on trileptal immediately, and began treating my fibromyalgia sleep disorder as well.

It was miraculous.

I had not realized how much of an impact my untreated bipolar disorder had on my life. I was suddenly in total control of things that I had not realized were issues until I could examine them dispassionately. I had not realized that my "I want that!" was part of the bipolar disorder- but suddenly, I didn't need to have everything I found online. I found myself feeling happier, freer, lighter- and could not stop talking about how great it was. I was relieved.

I was also, at last, sleeping at night. I suffered from insomnia something fierce, both because of the mania, but also because of the fibro. And the anti-anxiety medication finally allowed me to sleep. It was a blessing. I slept at night, and did chores and light housework during the day. I found myself more active, and in a little less pain. Even such a small amount of pain relief was a huge thing, and it was the first time in six years I had had any relief. I sang the praises of my psychiatrist, and gloried in my new-found life.

I had a long relapse after the death of my grandfather, and then discovered that the migraine medication my doctor put me on (topamax) could help me with the bipolar disorder. I went off the trileptal and discovered it had been "dulling" my mental processes. I felt a thousand times smarter, and none of the bipolar issues recurred, which was one worry that my psychiatrist had. I was delighted. I am still suffering a bit from the pain, but the topamax is helping my bipolar and I haven't had a migraine since I've been on it (knock on wood!). I am still sleeping at night, thanks to the other medication that my psychiatrist still has me on.

Now, if I could only find a good pain medication to treat the aches and pains, since the muscle relaxer does not help 100% of the time, I would be set. I am still searching, but I have faith that my doctors and I will find that magic pill someday.