Bi Polar I & 2

I read another thread somewhat recently, but there wasn't too much information in it. Being Bi Polar is hard enough, trying to add weight loss in with it makes it 100x's harder. I am diagnosed with Bi polar I, and every time I go to a new psychiatrist it is the same diagnoses, so I know it's not just a label slapped on when I was 16 and never readdressed. It also doesn't help that I am a Rapid Cycler, which means I go from manic to depressive back to manic extremely quick. The up and down roller coaster is absolutely exhausting. They cannot really treat a rapid cycler, just try to manage it. I also have a pretty addictive personality, so when I zero in on things it is hard to get me off them. I'm slightly OCD in some aspects.

And with the medications, many of them make you gain weight. I was on serequel, and I FINALLY forced my doctor to get me off of it, because that, combined with the ambien to sleep, make me EAT in my sleep and gave me amnesia because I didn't remember eating. I tried locking myself in the room at night to keep me from the kitchen, but apparently sleeping me didn't care and knew how to unlock the door, It was scary, so I stopped taking it.

I'm on welbutrin and lamictal, which is doing a pretty good job of keeping my moods stable. However the last month I've been in a really high manic episode, and it is exhausting.

I KNOW how hard it is to deal with this on an everyday consistency. And I know I feel really alone many times, because people try to understand but they don't. I appreciate the attempt, but there is a difference between Bi polar and just being depressed. We get both sides, and me especially with Bi Polar I, it is the more severe form.

My rambling point is, I understand you guys and the struggles we go through on a daily basis. Add in trying to lose weight and it gets incredibly difficult. I'm here if anyone wants to befriend me.