Topic : Bipolar Disorder

I know you are relieved. You have been so worried for the past few weeks. Now maybe you can get some rest. I've been working like a demon on the board for the past couple days--you can help me out. Lots of new posts. I guess I'd better let you rest first. 

I'm so happy for you 

Please forgive my message board manners...or lack of...never done this before... 

I caught part of the show on Bipolar disorder the other day.  It really held my attention because I can see some similarities in myself.  My husband is a peach, but I don't think he'd understand this one.  I really don't have any close friends to confide in and the one or two family members I am close to are either so involved in their own issues, or don't care to dig into mine.   

I feel a certain level of comfort behind a computer screen...I feel like I can be myself and I've always communicated better through writing as apposed to speaking to others.   

I guess what I'm looking for is some friendly folks who might understand that life for some of us is not "even keil" day after day...it really is a huge rollercoaster!   

Looking forward to chatting... 

Hi I am from Canada, so I am not sure if your medications are the same as ours. I too went through what you are going through. I posted another message on the board (ct02hz) about my experience. I  STRONGLY recommend the book " The Bipolar Child" by Demitri and Janice Papolos (ISBN# 0-7679-0316-1). Read the book yourself THEN give it to your son's therapist. It is a very down to earth book with practical information for both parents AND physicians. 

    My son went through numerous placements and spent several months in a youth detention centre to 'stay safe' while waiting for a placement to get treatment. We finally gained the help of a wonderful Psychiatrist who was very patient and supportive to BOTH my son and me. For us, after many experiments with various cocktails, we found one that works. While my son will never be totally functional (he has many other conditions as well), he is happy and is living semi-independently in a group home for Psych patients. For us, Risperadol started to bring him under control, until we found the right mood stabilizer. Unfortunately, this med has ALOT of side effects; my son gained over 100 pounds, so it was not a long term prospect for our treatment plan. We have found that Topamax  ( an newer anti-seizure drug) was a God send for us. Not everyone can use it, as some people have problems with the side effects, however if the patient can stand it, it is great. We also use Prozac (co-morbid OCD),  Nozinan,  and RitalinSR (ADHD). This combo has left my son pretty functional and not as sedated as some of the meds made him. I recommended trying this med to a bi-polar friend of mine and it has also helped her alot. She slept all day previously and had a poor quality of life. She is now starting to do much better after 4 months on Topamax. Hopefully, this may be an option for American patients. I do warn however, it is more expensive than many other treatments , however it is worth it. 

Another day.  I had a nap this morning.  But other than that this morning is pretty good.  Its towards the end of the week, I think that helps.  And its raining here....Not snowing!  The kids are okay, but I know they hate it when I fall asleep..They're okay now.  I am still smoking again.  Going to try next week again.  I'm hoping to feel like I did a couple of weeks ago..  It was so nice, feelin really good...I hope to feel that way again.   

So I just wanted to write.  It helps me feel complete.  My sister is comming to visit next weeek.  I look forward to it.  But she thinks I'm a slob, just because I leave some dishes in the sink for a day.  I think I keep things pretty clean!  Her kids are always sick, and I'm not sure I want my kids to get sick again.  Oh well I'm sure everything will be okay. 

I'm babling again...Just checking in. 

that I was doing a lot of thinking yesterday and last night after my posts and the responses I recieved.  I am going to go back on my medication and give them a real try.  I wasn't feeling 100% better but I was feeling a heck a lot better than I do now, that's why I stopped.  I thought I didn't need them anymore but I've come to the realization, thanks to you all, that I do.  

I also wanted to say that I've read the posts from those of you who are living with someone with bipolar and it's given me a new insight to what my boyfriend must have been going through all these years (we've been together for 12 years).   

So, thanks everyone.  

You're going to try again. It is hard to manage bipolar but you will find that your life improves once you get control of it. You may have to change meds until you find the right ones but it is really worth it. Please let us know how you are doing; we really care. There is a whole bunch of nice people who post on this site who are reading the posts, they are just not able to post right now due to various issues. But they've been reading and keeping up and will be happy to talk with you later.  

I know the weight gain is an issue. I gained 40 lbs.; of course I started out at 99 pounds! I keep my weight at 140 and live with it. I'd rather be a little plump than a lot crazy. Nothing could get me off my meds now that I know how much better life is--in fact, I had to go off in '99 because I developed an allergy to my med and I spent the next weeks while we found a new med wondering how I ever lived without them. Keep us up to date about how you are doing. All of us care. 

I would just like to give others some hope. 

I developed bipolar diorder 12 1/2 years ago at the age of 42. I was diagnosed with a serious form, bipolar one, mixed, with psychosis. I found it hard to accept at first, but joined DBSA, a peer-run support group, educated myself about the illness, got a good therapist, an excellent psychiatrist who would work with me (not all of them do), and took my medications religiously. Through my own research, I found out that lithium , which I was on, was not the best mood stabilizer for mixed episodes. I now take Trileptal, Effexor, clonazepam, and Abilify (only 2mg), and I have been in remission for almost three years. 

The 9 + years before that were a series of mania, hypomania, and deep depressions. However I did manage to start college, and get a degree during this time. My husband and I almost split up 3 times. Everytime I was manic, I would want a divorce, then when I was in depression, I would want him back. It was hell for him and the family, and especially for me. I cannot begin to describe the amount of suffering one goes through. No one who has not experienced it can begin to comprehend the emotional or psychic pain a person with bipolar disorder can have. 

After being on the new medication, Trileptal, which I had researched and asked to be put on, 

I have felt peace for the past 2 1/2 years. Everyone has a different reaction to drugs, but if one does not work well, ask to try another. 

I would like to tell others that there is hope...don't give up. Keep advocating for yourself, take the best care of yourself you can, and ask for help when you need it. 

I would also like to state my own personal opinion of the show on bipolar. I didn't find it to be an accurate picture of the illness...the highs and the lows...the pain of depression and possible suicidal ideation. Also there is the embarrasment one feels and has to live with after doing things when manic that you would never do otherwise. I hurt my husband very much, and am so thankful that he is educated about the illness also, and is able to forgive me. Without him, I don't know what would have happened to me. 

I wish that another show would be done on bipolar, with a more accurate picture given, and also someone who has been ill, but is now in remission....to give others hope, as they did with the show on schizophrenia. I'm an advocate for those with bipolar disorder, have been a support group facilitator, and I view this show as having once again caused more stigma for those with our illness.