|
johnR
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 230
|
Posted: 04-13-07 23:55pm
|
|
|
|
Or not  Just
kidding!
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
carolyn77
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 21 Apr 2007
Posts: 2
|
Posted: 04-21-07 08:14am
|
|
|
|
|
I was diagnosed as being BiPolar/Manic
depressive. I was real good at first. I
would get better and then quit taking
them. I have done several times and ended
up in the hospital. I never took it
seriously until now. I need to stay on my
medicine so I will stay stable.
I finally accepted that I will have to
take the meds like I'm suppose to. I go
see a counselor to.
I learned alot about me. I am my own worst
enemy. Listen to what the doctors says.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
cece7
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Feb 2007
Posts: 132
|
Posted: 04-23-07 20:55pm
|
|
|
|
|
I think that is smart carolyn. I only
recommend cbt and the tea forms 'in
addition' to being on your stabilizing
meds for people with bi-polar.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
lunamatron
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Apr 2007
Posts: 4
|
Posted: 04-27-07 17:22pm
|
|
|
|
|
I'm 23 and have been diagosed as bipolar
for nearly 6 years. The first two years
were beyond tumultuous. I was in and out
of the hospital and placed on loads of
medications without much improvement.
Actually, it seemed as if I became worse
when I was on the meds. I was always
tired, forgot everything, lost track of
time..... Pretty much just walked around
like a zombie for a good 2 years of my
young life. I completely attribute this to
the high dosages and poor medication
management. Needless to say, I became
pregnant and my entire world changed
within the moment I found out. The doctors
urged me to abort my child and told me
that she would be mentally retarded or not
even carry to term. I decided at that
point to stop all medications immediately
and "take charge of my life".
Fast forward 4 years.... I am married,
have two beautiful children and although
it has not been an easy road, I have
managed off medications the entire time.
Pregnancy and ,motherhood for some reason
really helped me put things into
perspective. I read several books on
cognitive therapy and techniques on
managing my outburst/depression.
I had my most recent baby in October and
just this past month started back up on
some meds. I was terrified to go back on
meds, but I was begining to exhibit some
signs of post-partum depression and refuse
to allow it to get out of control. I am
lucky to have a psychiatrist that is very
open to starting medications slowly and at
low doses. She evaluates my progress
weekly and immediately discontinues any
medication that seems to have adverse
results.
I guess the key is learning how to "read"
you moods and point out any potential
symptoms. I am also quite lucky because my
husband does a great job on keeping an eye
on my behavior. If I start acting "off" he
immediately tells me and I call my
therapist. I also get out an exercise a ot
more now. When I feel stressed or
overwhelmed I just get out of the house
for the afternoon and do something
physical.
I hope my experiences help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
johnR
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 230
|
Posted: 05-04-07 14:37pm
|
|
|
|
|
That was a very inspirational post Luna
thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
lauren61
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 May 2007
Posts: 5
Location: Tampa, FL
|
Posted: 05-16-07 10:27am
|
|
|
|
|
Hi there;
I have been living with bipolar disorder
for over 30 years. It is a difficult and
debilitating disease, it sucks and would
rather have a physical terminal illness.
BUT-You have the same issues I have had
and we are not alone.
I think you need to stay on meds. I have
tried a few times when I was 16, out of
the hospital, then at 22, I had a bad bad
breakdown. On meds again. I felt like I
dont want them I want to feel "normal" but
without them I cannot work, or function
well. I have had a few times up to the age
of 33 that I was on and off. Now I am 45
and have realized it is a lifelong regimin
of meds. and in order to survive in this
world and stay alive (suicide-is always on
my mind) unless Im manic. I have to accept
my illness and do what I have to do. It is
also hard for me to stay in a relationship
I push everyone away and I am also very
intense even with meds. But the cycles are
still there and I never know from day to
day how I will feel. God, its hard. I also
become withdrawn, want to be alone, left
alone not talk and just be. This can be
one day talking and felling good-next day
opposite, its just part of the many many
many symptoms of the illness. I have been
single for 7 years twice married. Dated
lots of men last 7 years only one or two
relationships, because I was manic when I
met them, after the mania was over I said
to myself-what have I done??? So point
being meds are a must, for most of us. I
have done some way out there wild and
crazy things in life---I mean WILD, so
please listen to what I am saying and
realize you are not alone-even though our
illnesses are not all the same
symptomatically, the basics are.
lauri
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
lauren61
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 May 2007
Posts: 5
Location: Tampa, FL
|
More to Say
Posted: 05-16-07 10:35am
|
|
|
|
|
After reading a lot of your comments on
lexapro etc. I totally disagree.
I have been on every medication and
combinations of them. Currently I am on
Lithium 450 mg, Welbutrin300mg. and
Lexapro 30mg.
Alos was on Lamictal, Cymbalta and others
combined.
The point is that you have to find the
right combination that works for you as an
individual-I should know I have been on
meds for 30 years.
Sometimes it is trial and error. Lithium
works well as an antidepresant as well as
an anti manic. But I am severe with my
illness and have been on all meds made so
far and have to go back to old combos now.
We are all chemically different-what works
for one may not work for another. The key
is try, try, try until you get the right
combination that helps you.
Lauri
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
cece7
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Feb 2007
Posts: 132
|
Posted: 05-20-07 09:54am
|
|
|
|
|
good for you luna and i feel for you
lauren and i am glad you do not have
terminal illness.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
johnR
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 230
|
Posted: 06-04-07 21:14pm
|
|
|
|
|
Lauren I can't begin to imagine how hard
it must be to flucuate so much even on
meds  I am
glad you currently have found a
combination that is working for you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
supportivehusband20
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jun 2007
Posts: 7
|
Posted: 06-27-07 14:05pm
|
|
|
|
|
I'm reading alot of these posts.... and I
have a question...
All of you who say you are bi polar...
are you type 1 or type 2??
|
|
|
|
|
|
Color of Paper
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jan 2007
Posts: 171
Location: Long Beach, Ca
|
Posted: 06-29-07 15:44pm
|
|
|
|
|
Hia....well I'm back and I've been gone
for ALONG time. Im working on a short
write up of what I went though and all
thats happend.
To answer supportive husban, im 2.
And im so amazed this post is still
going...makes me really happy and thanks
for everyones input. ^_^
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
johnR
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 230
|
Posted: 07-13-07 12:39pm
|
|
|
|
|
I'm actually not bi-polar but have battled
anxiety depression and panic until
recently and have a close friend who is
bi-polar that was having some success
using cbt.
Welcome back Color I hope life is treating
you well 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
cece7
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Feb 2007
Posts: 132
|
Posted: 08-16-07 16:47pm
|
|
|
|
|
Just an fyi that I am not a suffer of
bi-polar, been through anxiety panic and
depression though and that was hard enough
to tackle so I really feel for bi-polars.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
gringaloca
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Aug 2007
Posts: 2
Location: georgia
|
Off Meds Might Be Ok
Posted: 08-17-07 08:40am
|
|
|
|
|
i don't take meds but its a struggle .
some days better than others. i too go
through relationship like changing
clothes. being alone is hard i haven't
figured out how to do it yet. i haven't
found med that works . guess i stay to
stressed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Color of Paper
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jan 2007
Posts: 171
Location: Long Beach, Ca
|
Posted: 08-17-07 10:14am
|
|
|
|
|
There are many people suffering from
mental stress, hardship and pain. If your
not able to live your life, or feel that
its really causing problems in your every
day life the best thing is to seek a DR.
I'm not talking about going to one
Psychologist or psychaitrist...I mean keep
going to different ones until you click
with one...one that makes you feel
comfortable to talk. Once that is
established, listen to them, work with
them let them work with you....try meds,
you MUST stay on them for a good period of
time to really see if they work, be
responsible and take them as
directed....if you feel 2 ikey then try
something eles.
Many people in this world would be
supprised what humans can do for other
humans ^_^
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
cece7
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Feb 2007
Posts: 132
|
Posted: 02-07-08 20:18pm
|
|
|
|
|
Great points color I hope you are doing
well.?.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
antigone
Moderator
Joined: 27 Jan 2008
Posts: 847
Location: IL
Thanks: 40
Thanked:15
|
Posted: 02-08-08 03:19am
|
|
|
|
|
I have 2 sons that are bipolar. I have had
them under the treatment of a psychiatrist
for quite some time. We ran the gamut with
traditional meds. Stability for either of
them is illusive and when achieved,
fleeting. Due to the rapid growth spurts
in children I think trying to get the meds
correct is difficult. After going through
a terrible spring last year I decided to
give supplements a try. I have extensive
knowledge in this area. I do not disparage
traditional medication or traditional
treatment. I was truly desperate to find
stability for my boys and some peace in my
life.
Long story short - I have them on a
combination of meds and supplements.
EPA/DHA (fish oil), B vitamins, choline,
inositol, Vit. C etc. along with a small
amount of risperdal. My 9 yr. old just
recently reported hearing voices. He was
experiencing command auditory
hallucinations. I spoke with his doctor.
We tweaked the meds and supplements.
Things are better. No more voices. Still
not stable though. I keep searching for
the panacea for this disorder. There are
LOTS of small studies that are being done
with vitamins, mineral, amino acids etc. I
think many have some effect but not for
all.
I could go into all the different studies
I have read about but that would take
days. I have come to the point that I
think supplements may offer stability at
some point. I don't know that the
scientific community has figured it all
out yet.
One study that looks very promising is
using Vitamin C. The results have been
very impressive. Schizophrenia and bpd
have been treated in people and they have
successfully been taken off all meds. This
study was conducted by physicians and they
were using megadoses of vit. C
intravenously. Oral supplements are likely
to be insufficient to achieve stability.
I don't recommend trying any of this
without some guidance from a psychiatrist.
I would love to hear more on cbt. I have
read that this is very helpful and I am in
the process of trying to find someone to
take my boys to for cbt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
puzzld
Supporter
Joined: 19 Nov 2007
Posts: 188
Location: gulf coast =), USA
|
color
Posted: 02-08-08 11:01am
|
|
|
|
|
i didn't read everyone's posts so sorry if
someone else gave this advice...
please be careful to take any
herbal/supplemental drugs if u still have
any prescribed meds in your system. this
can be very dangerous. i was on lexapro
briefly and it drove me into the ground...
it is powerful as someone has stated. i am
bp 1 and take meds... lately i have been
wanting to stop too out of frustration of
the consequences ie, what u give up
mentally/physically for the drugs.
isn't lexapro for depression??
i take seroquel, lamictal, cymbalta and
ativan. i'll be off the cymbalta and
ativan asap. dr doesn't want to rock my
boat too much.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
cece7
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Feb 2007
Posts: 132
|
Posted: 02-08-08 19:38pm
|
|
|
|
|
Hi antigone. I am glad you have found
something that is helping your boys.
Cbt is really useful but takes some work.
If you can get them into a cbt group that
would be a great addition to all you are
currently doing. If you can just get your
boys to try countering their thoughts in a
TEA form I think that would be of some
use. I used them to help me overcome my
anxiety and panic and they are wonderful.
If you can't find a cbt group read the cbt
book by Sam Obitz and start doing the TEA
forms with your boys and see if that
helps. Let me know if you have any other
cbt questions I can answer? Take care!
|
|
|
|
|
|
bakin_april
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Jan 2008
Posts: 210
Location: state of confusion, usa
|
Voice of Experience
Posted: 02-08-08 21:02pm
|
|
|
|
|
Hope you all are doing well. It's a hard
lot in life we've been given, isn't it?
But I think there's a reason for
everything. We just may not know what it
is at the moment! 
I spent years on and off meds. Those
years were unmitigated hell to me and
everyone around me. I damaged lots of
relationships, especially the most
important one with my daughter, who was
quite young at the time.
My breaking point was a total melt-down 8
years ago. When I was feeling better I
decided to comply with my meds. Forever.
My quality of life improved 100%. It
isn't easy. I'm definitely not perfect,
but it's so much better than living with
the turmoil and conflict I constantly
created.
One thing I do is lots of positive
self-talk. For every thought that passes
through my mind, if necessary. It keeps
me focused on the real issues. There's
1 question I ask myself about everything:
Do I have the [emotional, spiritual,
physical] energy to spend on this? It
helps sort out what's really important.
Currently, my meds are: lithium, geodon,
wellbutrin and cymbalta. It took lots of
trial and error to come up with this
combination but I'm very pleased with it.
Best of everything, to everyone,
everywhere.
|
|
|
|
|
