Hi, I've been lurking for awhile. Not much to post. But I've recently had a similiar experience with a familiy member and I've been considering the best way to handle it. I don't have much contact with a cousin and just recently saw her again...it looks to me like she's got bi-polar, all the signs are there. My sister, totally out of the blue, also confirmed my own "diagnosis" of my cousin's behavior. (My cousin doesn't seem to have PCOS.) Should I somehow bring this up? In my opinion, there's bi-polar all over my family, but no one talks openly about the "elephant in the room." Normally, I'd just keep quiet, but I see my cousin's children (early teens) taking the brunt of this. Plus, my bi-polar is pretty well controlled so I know there is hope.
I found out first that I had PCOS and only (much) later learned about the bi-polar aspect. Knowing about what caused my problems really helps me cope with them. The official bi-polar Dx was hard to take...yes, I might be ugly, infertile, fat, etc. etc., but being told I was crazy, too, was a really hard blow to take. But, in the end, it's helped me, because the meds are really a lifesaver for me.
I like the description "PMS to the 10th power"...that's exactly what it feels like.
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Age: 54, post-menopause
Two daughters, ages 10 and 14, natural conception!
One mc at 12 weeks
Original dx: 1983 "androgen excess syndrome"
Re dx: 2003 (ovaries now clear, weight under control)
had Laser
Current Meds:
Met, 850 2x daily
Seroquel, 12.5 mg 2x daily (for depression, mood swings)
Multi vit
Fish oil, 500 mg 2x daily
Magnesium and Calcium |