Topic : Bipolar Disorder

I feel so bad for you that you have so much you are going through.  I am always learning from you though.  As far as my daughter goes, the money isn't the issue anymore.  I'd just like to forget it and move on but she is a stubborn person and non-forgiving.  Although I still don't know what I did.  It is what it is and there isn't much I can do except keep emailing and sending pics of the baby etc.  If she responds ...fine. 

Gotta go for now.  Hope you all have a great week..

Susan

I went to the ER last night because my symptoms were getting worse.  The EKG showed the Long QT heart arrhythmia, which would explain the dizziness and heart palpitations.  My calcium levels and electrolyte levels came back normal.  Because of the tingling and weakness on the right side, and the headache, the doctor ordered a CT scan.  The scan came back fine, but the doctor says that I might have had a "mini stroke", and I am going in for an MRI, which shows more detail than a CT scan.  In the mean time, I am just supposed to take it easy.

Becky

Hi,     my  awarness  of  this  mental  illness  has  been  exhausting,   and  a  good  thing.   I  accept    my  mental  illness ,  but  at  times  i  get  frusterated,   angry,  sad  about  it.   What  I   am  aware  is  that  i  am  sensitive   person   i   know  everyone  is  to  a  certain  degree,  but  through  myself  and  talking  and  watching  other  bipolar  people is  we  are  intensely   sensitive,   more  dramatic.   I  need   quality  sleep,  or  i  am  more  moody.  I  need  to  think  about  my  everyday  choic'es  for  that  may  trigger  peace  or  drama  which  can  make  me  react  into  a  manic  behavior  or  depression,  middle  ground  is  what  i  strive  for  everyday.    Medicine  helps  but  my  experience  over  the  last  14yrs.  has  been  medicine  is  not  a  cure  and  does'nt  snap  me  into  a  balanced  state  24  hours  a  day.  7 days  a  week.    I  have  been  and  continue  to  see   a  therapist   for   about  1yr.  and  2  months  now.   THERAPY  is  helping  me  to  talk,  think,  feel,   validate.  and  see  what  happened  to  me   and  what  i  am  capable  of  doing  currently  to  improve  my  life  and  myself.   It  has  been  a  good  part  of  my  life,  medicine,  therapy,  talking  to  other  bipolars.    TILL  NEXT  TIME

healthier  foods  and  god  is  great,  but  bipolar  centers  mostly  in  the  brain,  i  had  to  stop  caffeine  and  sugar  being  bipolar  that  is  2 things  that  make  our  panic,  anxiety  worse  and  effects  our  sleep.  medicine  is  a  big  answer  but  not  100  percent  it  helps  but  depending  on the degree  which  a  proffesional  doctor  that  deals  with  bipolar  can  help,  if  you  do  not  like  or  trust  your  doctor  get  another  one.  this  will  be  a  life  long  on  and  off  problem ,  good  days  and  not  so  good,  and  the  family  members  need  to  get  emotional  help  as  well.  so  god  understands  that,  seek  the  help  you  need,  stop  caffeine,  sugar intake,   get  plenty  of  rest,  and  ask  your  creator  to  leed you  to  health  proffesionals,  god  does  miracles  but  sometimes  he  does'nt   and  he  wants  you  to  help  yourself.  have  a  hopeful  day.  

I saw the doctor yesterday.  The MRI was fine.  I have fluid behind both ears, but no infection.  The fluid is a huge contributor to the dizziness.  My Lamictal and Abilify doses have both been reduced because of the changes in my body's thyroid levels.  My pdoc said that every time my thyroid meds are adjusted, it might be necessary to adjust my psych meds.  I was apparently on some pretty high doses of both the Lamictal and the Abilify...450mg per day of the Lamictal and 15mg per day of the Abilify.  I am now on 300mg per day of the Lamictal, and may be going lower, plus I am on 7.5mg of the Abilify, and may be going lower with that too.  It all depends on how my moods are, and how I am feeling in general.

My pdoc said that thyroid levels play a huge role for some people with bipolar disorder...she said that it is a good idea for everybody to have their thyroid levels checked routinely once a year.  It was through routine testing that my thyroid problems were discovered.

Becky

everything is okay.  I never knew about the thyroid.  I've had mine checked years ago and it was okay.  This Friday I go in for my big check up. 

My friend that recently died of cancer has a daughter who has been keeping in touch with me by email.  She sent me a picture of her and her mom while she was in hospise.  Carol, my friend, doesn't look good at all and it sort of shocked me at the advancement of cancer and how it made her look.  Debbie is going to send more pics later.  Hopefully they won't be so shocking.

I have off babysitting this week.  The weather has been so great.  I've been getting a sunburn out on the deck.  This Colorado sun really helps my bipolar illness in a good way.  The only problem I've been having is getting out of breath cuz of the high altitude and my knees and ankle hurt so bad from going up and down hills.  I've had knee problems since forever.  It seems like it's always something after turning 50.  (I'm 55)

Gotta go for now.  Hope you and everyone else are having a good week.

Susan

I quit my job-and I feel relieved,yet flustered. I see you still feel bad..I do know its a chemical imbalance in the brain..and if only they could find a cure(maybe invest millions like they do with other life threatening diseases..) half the jails wouldn't be needed-and people such as you,my brother..and many others..wouldn't have to watch life go by-and struggle so hard daily. medicines,are unfortunatley needed-but they have side-effects..my brother has had voices really bad lately-spends too much time watching dvds,eats too much-chain smokes-and theres nothing anyone can do. I know he goes to program-but his heart can't take the over 350? lbs.,of stress on it. Some med. help him,but others are terrible.He shouldn't be in his own apartment-because he wastes his money-tyhen relys on us family memebers,who r struggling wkly,for help-plus I dont c many nurses ,or doctors really helping him. Good thing is,he's not in the city-he's close to us. We need to give him more time-but sometimes its hard,with kids,and high gas-He's usually brite and cheerful,every time he calls.Like sunshine. I would suggest exersize,zen-meditation-get a cat..animals are so loving-and they help people alot. Draw,or paint-write random thoughts,then toss them in the trash..just to vent. Learn an instrument? Happiness is a choice-but I think the meds-can contribute to side effects-that can lead you to a dark place. Let your doctors know-how your feeling-use a tape-recorder if that helps. God Bless you-and take away your pain.