hi, welcome to the board. A therapist can't really diagnose you as there are many things that look like bipolar. Also PCPs generally don't have the training.

You need to see a psychiatrist, and btw prozac can make people with bipolar alot worse

Not a lot of people I have ever heard about manage their bipolar well without careful attention to getting themselves feeling as stable as possible through a med cocktail usually. It seems to me you are very realistic and have a good deal of clarity about the next step after meds you want to take being to deal with some serious issues you face. They are both strengths.

I hear you are weary. Take heart. Be strong.

If your PCP was being a good Dr. and your Therapist was being a good Therapist, they'd have both already told you that neither of them have the training or education to Diagnose BiPolar Disorder in any form, and your PCP especially does not have the training or education to "put me on Prozac and Lamictal to try and get something working." That's one of the most harmful statements I've seen in a while.

BiPolar is not like UniPolar Depression and it is not like other Mood Disorders. Mood Disorders in and of themselves are difficult to treat and manage, because of the complexity of brain chemistry that is involved. The meds that we use to treat these Disorders are not picked randomly and they aren't just tossed out to see if something will work. The meds we use in a proper BiPolar cocktail are picked specifically for the part of the BP they control, i.e. Mania, Depression, Anxiety, Sleep, etc. But they aren't always safe to use one without the other. Taking an anti-depressant without a mood stabilizer can make you Manic. Too much anti-depressant and anti-anxiety at the same time can make you slip off into "I don't exist, I don't care world". Prescribing these medications so that they work properly in conjunction with one another takes education. Putting a patient on a combo of psych meds without a proper diagnosis and without the education to know how the meds work together, can be very dangerous.

You really, really need to see a Pdoc (psychiatrist) and get a proper diagnoses along with proper meds....until you do that, it's going to be near impossible to get to a place of stability. I really hope that you'll see the right Dr. and get your life on a path towards managing your illness.

Take care,
kat

Hi and welcome!!!
As above, totally agree with older person about medications and every one else about seeing a psydr for 'specific diagnosis' with your 'specific' concerns.
I'd also get your thyroid checked and Vitamin D level checked. The thyroid if it is out of whack can create symptoms of depression, as Vit. D...needed to get by direct sunlight/if you are female, "very" important for healthy bones. If you are challenged with sleep, 3mg of melatonin, a natural sleep medication can help. For health reasons, I go to natural healing first before medications. I have BP 1, so I am on a stabilizer. Exercise and getting out of the house and being around people too has a huge effect on my mood...best of luck!! ml

I agree that you should be referred to a psychiatrist for your medication.... That's what they specialize in.... Your agitation may well be caused by the Prozac

Welcome.... This is a great group... I'm glad you found us.... Big hug.....xo

I get it. I think we all do. The struggle with diagnosis and then medication. Keep trying and don't give up on the first combo of pills. I take Prozac too and it's helped lift some depression. I've also taken panic taking which was good. Currently I'm on lithium, zyprexa, and Prozac which seems to have stabilized me.

I think you're on the right track with therapy and meds so far.