Topic : Bipolar Disorder

And thanks for getting a reply to me so quickly. I’m still here because I was reading back in the posts to get an idea of what’s happening here.

I went on the LAMICTAL web site when my “shrink” first suggested the meds months ago so I know the basic stuff about side effects etc.. I saw one reference to Lamictal when I read back a few pages. (from p 85 + up) and I guess I just wanted to join the discussion here so I jumped in with the question!

After months I’ve decided to acccept my NEW diagonsis of bipolar. But my MENTAL HEALTH story is THAT LONG ONE that you all have heard, I’m sure.

Anyway, today I decided to go ahead and TRY to see if this medicine will help me cope. I struggle so hard at living. I’ve been off all psychiatric meds for about two years. This is my first time on anything like this.

THANKS AGAIN!

I didnt know until I started reading other peoples messages that I am not the only one who forgets what i am saying in the middle of saying it. I have been diagnosed Bipolar type 2 for 21/2 yrs and not understanding why I do that. My mom says that it is the depression talking.  It is so frustrating to get my thoughts out.  I cant remember names but I can picture them. I am 32 and this is a bit scary to me. I take Lexapro and Topamax right now and I know that they are not working. I am tring to find a good Psychiatrist, not an easy task. My 12 yr old daughter has adhd, odd, and is bipolar. she has started violent rages toward her 6 yr old sister. I want to get her all the help she needs but my husband is holding me back. Does anyone have advice?

I take Topamax too but am getting good results from it. My psychiatrist says it creates "word-finding" problems and I do occasionally have problems with this. Knowing what you want to say but not being able to say the word.  

  

Topamax also tends to cause kidney stones and I have kidney stones regularly. I started on Topamax four years ago and am getting such good results that I am continuing to take it knowing that it will add to the kidney stone problem. I take it with Paxil and Respiradol. I'm sorry it's not working for you. 

Have you ever tried trileptal?  I have heard it is one of the only mood stabilizer that don't have too many side effects and works really good.  Also the good old fashoined medication that I think is the best would be lithium. 

  

You say your going to accept your illness, great for you. 

  

Read the book called Unquiet Mind by Kay Refield Jamison. 

  

It is about bipolar, she has bp and is a doctor.  Really good book. 

  

Remember do not get discouraged especially with lamictal. That has to be raised ever so slowly. and can take weeks to get it to the proper dose.  Also most bipolar people are on more than one medication to find true stability. 

  

My daughter takes a combonation of mood stabilizer (lamictal) and an anti-physcotic (risperdal) 

  

Be leary of any anti-depressant and watch your symptoms closely if ever put on an anti-depressant. Most bipolar people cannot handle anti-d's and it actually causes more instability and aggression.  Read as much as you can on your illness.  The survival guide for bipolar is a good book as well as Bipolar for dummies.  Keep posting here and a good way to start a converstaion is just like you did, to ask a question.  

  

Good luck 

  

Tammy 

Have you ever thought about the lexapro? 

  

So many times the reason for the sypmtoms and unstability is the anti-d. 

  

My daughter tried, zoloft, lexapro, celexa, and prozac before we removed them and that is when her aggression and depression lifted.  

  

I wish you luck with your 12 year old. Mine is 15 and I understand how hard that can be plus taking care of yourself. 

  

www.bpkids.org is a great website for parents with bipolar children 

  

I hope you find what works for both of you. I don't know about the hubby question. most men seem to have the problem with accepting the illness. You might have to not include him for  a while and get her stable then maybe he will see a difference. 

  

Hi this is scared mom. After taking your advice yesterday I went to the Julie Fast websight. She is very helpful and I will be purchasing her books very soon. Tank you so much. Now I was wonder if anybody has any advice on how I can explain to my 15 yr old son on how he is the one who has to be the one who knows himself better than anyone else and he will have this illness forever. Right now he is at the angry stage and feels like I just wanted to not deal with him anymore. Which is so not true. Right now my fellings are so mixed. I am glad he is in treatment so he is safe but what I see is they aren't teaching him about the illness. I see him getting really frustrated and feels the staff is nit-picking at every little thing and he is bottling every thing up. Right now he just wants to isolate and he gets points knocked off for that too. He is so frustrated. He share with me that he doesn't want to come home after treatment. He wants to go to a theraputic foster home because of the arguements we have had before treatment. I need to explain to him that it wasn't just us it was the illnesses he has and we neeed to lean all we can to get better as a family not run from this. Does any body kow of any good information I can share with my boy that he can understand and not get overwhelmed and frustrated. I will do anything to help him.  Thanks Scared mom

Hi there 

When my daughter was in the residential facility and we had to discuss hard things...I would communicate with her doctor.  Then the three of us would have a family discussion.  The doctor did help a lot in the communication/understanding department.  Also, if she didn't take it well the staff was notified to watch her and talk with her.   

Rhonda 

Hi everyone 

I'm totally confused.  I was supposed to have a psych appointment on Jan 11th...but she called in sick.  So, I've been rescheduled for Feb 14th.  I put in a call today...hopefully, she'll call me back.  I've been diagnosed with major depressive disorder...recurring.  One time a different doctor and I were discussing dx...he said we aren't going to discuss that...because it is a label and it might upset you.  Being intimidated I let that go.  But, in December the "new" doctor said your bipolar...you have hallucinations...thoughts of suicide...obsessive.  I was more confused by what she was saying.... 

The first time attempted suicide I did hallucinate...that was what drove me to it...I was seeing things that weren't there and my head was spinning and the inside pain was intolerable...I just wanted it to go away.  I know I don't want to die...but the thoughts are there...the pain is there and I just want it to go away.  Last night the pain got bad and I knew I didn't want to die...but, how much more pain can I take?  Hallucination??????  My thoughts race through my head all the time.  Thoughts just pop in my head and I'll have a conversation with the person it's about..."in my head."  I leave my therapists office and I'll continue to have a conversation with her "in my head."  I don't think my mind ever rests.  Thoughts constantly just pop up...no rhyme or reason...I then have a conversation...many are ones I've already had.  This morning I had a repeat conversation on something that happened 18 years ago.  I've seen people posting about "voices".  Is this what they are talking about?  Is this not normal?  How could this be a hallucination?   

Now I'm questioning if I am being appropriately treated?     

I am new to this site and was reading all of these posts.  I really needed to respond to you on a couple of things.  I, too, have Bipolar II.  Your problem with speech is called pressured speech and is one of the things that medication will take care of.  Our minds race so our thoughts run faster than our brains can keep up with, I think.  That's why we forget midsentence; our thoughts are way ahead of us.  I know it's terrible but also embarrassing.  You know, and this is a problem with alot of us.  Topomax!  It's called "Dopomax" by those of us that have taken it.  I called it my "stupid pill" as my memory went totally downhill.  

Is your daughter on meds for her bi-polar?  Her rages may be how she gets manic.  I don't get violent but get unbelievably irritable.  That's all I do, other than not sleep, when I'm manic.  If pushed, I have thrown things or slapped.  she really needs meds if she is bi-polar.  We can be a danger to ourselves or others, if not medicated.  Just my personal observations and opinions.  Good Luck. 

Hi There.  I just read your message and it made me just cry. The emotional pain you are going thru makes me so sad. I have been on this computer again since 6:30 this morning. I have been going thru the web site Bipolar happens there is really a lot of informtion there. The last link I got on was What is normal! I really think I am going to get dressed and go see if I can get her book. I wish there was some way I could help but like I said I am new at this too. The pain in your message is so heartfelt. I hope to talk with you soon.  Keep hanging in there. And remember you are not alone.           From scared mom