Topic : Bipolar Disorder

Hey all, well it's time for an update to the board. A while back I asked about Bipolar Couples...well I spose I was trying to predict the future. See Jeff and I started going together as a couple, not just friends 30 weeks ago. He is also Bipolar but not a rapid cycler like me. brb....gotta put the next load of washing in...okay where was I?...Anyway things are good and I thought I would write about some of the things we do to help out if we start to flare up.

For a start we are both very aware of how we feel at all times and speak openly about it to each other. Its so we know how each other is feeling, and seeing as how we're dealing with mood swings here that's important. We both take our meds and remind each other to take theirs etc. Jeff will ask for his extra meds ( which are to be taken as needed if he feels himself slipping ) and hell do the same for me, or we will ask the other if they feel they need it...which acts as a warning that our behaviour is not normal. Neither of us is shy or hesitant about showing love, affection, support, caring, nor speaking about it, which offers constant positive reinforcement of stability etc. We are both VERY aware of how we react to the tone of someones voice and are quick to verbalize if we dont like the others tone, rather than let it fester, and we are equally quick to apologise for it and then discuss the problem.

I know the thing I was most worried about was how things would end up if we both lost our tempers at the same time or got really angry...lol...seeing as how neither of us will back down. But you know what, it's just that we both actually say during it all at some stage..." **** you make me angry, I love you, but you make me angry".  It is the honest truth and that is what we are like. We are totally open with everything. Especially all our moods and emotions, we have to be because it is who we are...it is what we are...it is how we are, whether we like it or not. We also have to be open because if we bottle it up it rapidly changes to something as unstable as two nuclear reactors in meltdown.

So as it stands at 30 weeks...no meltdowns yet or even near misses really. How am I feeling you ask? Fan - bloody -tastic. I'm sure it's helped by the fact that Jeff and I were best friends for 4 1/2 years before we got 'together' together...and we've both been there with and for each other during meltdowns previously...sort of seen the absolute best and worst of each other...so there are no surprises or hidden agendas...and as far as I'm concerned, that gives me great comfort. I'm a bit worried about Jeff's health at the moment as he has had a few stressfull weeks with work and stuff, but whatever happens, we will ride it out together.

So that's it for now, wow a biggun today hope it fits on one page lol. Take care of you all 

Lee

As a woman who now has lived with 1.5 years with HYPERTHYROIDISM, I would recommend everyone diagnosed with BiPolar to get the thryoid test.   It will help you so much to know if you are really manic or if it's your thyroid kicking in. 

When I was taking lithium back in the early 90's, my thyroid results were always going up and down.  My therapist & doctors ignored it.  Now, as I begin to learn about my illness, I discovered that HYPERTHYROIDISM is misdiagnosed as BiPolar all the time. 

AND THAT WHEN IT FLARES UP, it's like a manic episode.    BY KNOWING what your triggers are, you can get better and live a healither life style without worrying that you are going to go off on a bender.   I know.   I have created and implemented so many tools that keep me level or have me return to level.   

Also,  most rapid cyclers are actually dealing with PMS symptoms.   If you journal or keep track of your moods, you will discover that you are up 2 weeks and down 2 weeks.  I actually learned that the very next day that my monthly had stopped, I was manic again.  Then 2 weeks later, I was depressed/down/blue again.   I've talked to another person who noticed the same thing happening to her.  PROBLEM WAS:  she just never connected the dots.  You know, you know what the truth is but you just don't challenge your tape.   

And you can not get anyone to take care of themselves so stop pestering them.  My family & friends hear:  THAT'S THE CHOICE YOU MAKE/MADE.  You know what the results are going to be.   

They don't like to hear it, yet at the same time, I'm no longer enabling them.   And yes, sometimes I see changes in their behavior because they are hearing me say those words without me even saying them.  They can't dump on me anymore.  I'm not their EXCUSE anymore.  I can only control 3 things in my life:  How I FEEL, how I THINK, and most importantly how I DO. 

Lately I've been taking 100 mg daily, but you can buy it in smaller doses.  The good thing about B vitamins are that they're water soluable, and not as toxic as some other vitamins.  If you take too much B6, it will just come out in your urine. 

I was taking 100mg and began experiencing some restlessness in my legs and feet...I've been reading reports of peripheral neuropathy with high doses of vitamin B6, so I'm going to try 25 mg a day and up to 50mg if necessary...the RDA is only 2mg so I'm hoping 25mg will suffice without causing side effects.  I don't want to give it up as I have noticed such drastic improvements in my PMS...maybe even PMDD.  Virtually every symptom has improved to a tolerable level...it's almost too good to be true. 

I did try vitamin therapy once before a few years ago but I made the mistake of starting several at once and my symptoms worsened...I had no idea which ones were working and which weren't and I wasn't even sure of the doses so I became overwhelmed and stopped everything...thank God I tried the B6 again...I'm going to go a little slower this time and introduce one vitamin at a time giving each one a couple of months until I'm 100% sure of the effect they have on me.  It's difficult to do on your own...my doctor is ...well... oh never mind ...i'm not going there tonight...suffice it to say the internet is more helpful.  There is a shortage of doctors here and you don't get a choice.