Messages By: mokey49

I, too, have Bipolar Disorder.  Fortunately, I am on a good set of meds (finally).  I have just entered surgical menopause, due to hysterectomy with ovary removal (because of breast cancer...couldn't take the antihormone drug due to a heart arrhythmia...sounds like a soap, doesn't it?)

Sleep problems and Bipolar go hand in hand.  Sleep problems because of menopause go hand in hand.  Mood swings and menopause go hand in hand.  Unfortunately, I cannot take hormone therapy because the cancer had estrogen receptors.  My doc says I will be more succeptible to mood swings and depression for a couple of years.  We will adjust my meds as needed.

I take temazepam for sleep.  My sleep doc has me empty the capsule under my tongue and hold it there.  The mucosal tissue absorbs the chemicals faster than my stomache.  I have been able to cut my dose in half.  However, because I'm not getting any Delta sleep, we are researching meds to find one that will help.

Hey, have you checked out Dr. Phil's posting board for Bipolar Disorder?  Go to the message boards prompt.  Then go to "Mental Health", Then go to Bipolar Disorder.  There are a lot of people sharing their stories and offering encouragement to each other. 

Glad to hear from you.

from: jkforrest

Iwas late to pick up grandchildren to keep them while their mother and aunt (my oldest) were packing and moving March of 2004. Mother of grandchildren was ok and loading car seats when my oldest daughter verbally attacked me regarding my lateness. Response was this :it

is between their mother and I not you. Daughter comes back in and my statments is "sorry I made your day a living nightmare". Immediately started apoligizing for my tone and statement as i was very upset at the attack. Mother of children said (quite reasonable) you are not going

to talk to me in that tone. However, she jumped outside onto the patio as I was apologizing

and trying to explain the verbal attack resulting in me being upset that her sister started as soon as she was our of earshot. She promtly removed the car seats and would not allow grandchildren to leave with me. Oldest daughter has not spoken to me since.

However, it was difficult to see children after that we were occasional allowed. Last seeing them Christmas Eve of 2004. Once for 15 minutes in May of 2005 at which time she swept them supposedly to dance class immediately, (they never made it). Then I received a warrant within a few days (restraing order not to come near them). I was shocked !!

Cliff notes version:went to court June 2005 and judge told her there was absouletly nothing I had done to provoke this and she would have to pay court costs in regard to this. Note: she starts with this sentence "Well I probably won't have a mother after this but I never did". I never said one word during the entire experience. She was very emotional and almost crying. Stated on warrant I was emotionally and physically abusive during childhood into adulthood and she was afraid for her family especially her children.   Important note!!!!:  Not so-had been keeping children at their prior house, then apt. one or more days a week (45miles one way) at no charge just because I  wan't to be part of their lives. Took trip to west coast and Mexico in car with friend and purchased numerous items to decorate their apt and new house(she ask me to help her decide on flooring lighting etc.)and mailed what would not fit in car. Cards from both daughters in safe deposit box stating how much they appreciated me and their step father etc. and all we had done(bought furniture, moved back home during divorce, gave money, gifts, sent them on trips,  bought cars for them as single mom at 16 yrs for each,took them on trips-ie very normal childhood things).  Helped her to adopt oldest daughter.

NOW

judge states obviously she does not want to speak to you do you understand? I knod my head yes. We continue to send cards, presents to chldren at holidays and birthdays. She and especially SISTER especially expound to be Christians!!!and go to church. That day when we saw them for 15 min. stopped to speak to her pastor re: mediating to reach some understanding and he agreed to pray regarding this and to give them time. That has been over one year. Granddaughter has started to school for the second year without me seeing them. I am devistated and don't know what else to do except pray for them both to have an open heart to allow God to speak to each of their hearts and let them know family is important. Will anyone

that reads this please pray regarding this as My recent note card to them said "I am extending the olive branch to stop this silience between us. I am not perfect however, God accepts me as I am and continest o love me anyway. Please allow us to hear from you and enjoy you and our grandchildren in our "golden years" as they say! Judy in TN Please need help or advise at wits end!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well I am a 20 year old girl who has lived a life and grown up with an alcoholic father. My father wakes up in the morning and starts the drinking and will go all day and all night and drink constantly.To the point that alcohol is all thats in his system because he doesnt drink anything else and only eats one meal a day. And through the years my dad has lost so much and has ruined many friendships and relationships.And it has been very hard to grow up and deal with it. And im trying really hard to keep my relationship going and look past that but it is hard!!