Bipolar support thread

dmg24

Hi guys,

I am bipolar, got diagnosed approx eighteen months ago. I take Lithium which helps, but am currently going through a 'non compliant' stage, because the weight gain became too much to handle. So now I just have to handle the crazy moods instead (currently spending like there is no tomorrow)!

dane-katie, I can recommend the book 'An Unquiet Mind' by Kay Redfield Jamison. The author is a psychiatrist who has bipolar herself. I must have read it three times now, it is one of those books that you learn more from each time (and depending on your mood!).

If I had a car I would happily come up to Roth to help with the group, but at the moment am reliant on others for transport - don't think they'd be too happy if I offered!

starnight_2

'non compliant' stage?

I also have gained too much weight and hate it. I have also had 6 fillings in the past year (having only ever had one 10 yrs ago in my entire life). Aparently the meds are giving me a dry mouth and all i get told is chew more gum...which gives e a tummy ache so I can't.

I'm trying to pluck up the courage to tell my team I'm not happy with what the meds have done so far, plus I never remember to take them...I've even tried setting my alarm, but I just forget!!! I know when I forget it takes a week or two to hit then my family notice before I do and I start taking them again...but I'm struggling to find the point in it if I have to keep going through it, and it seems unreasonable for me to ask my family to phone me every night.

Hmmm yep well I'm rambling now. I was diagnosed approx. 18 months ago also and am on lithium and ADs

dmg24

starnight wrote: »

'non compliant' stage?

I also have gained too much weight and hate it. I have also had 6 fillings in the past year (having only ever had one 10 yrs ago in my entire life). Aparently the meds are giving me a dry mouth and all i get told is chew more gum...which gives e a tummy ache so I can't.

I'm trying to pluck up the courage to tell my team I'm not happy with what the meds have done so far, plus I never remember to take them...I've even tried setting my alarm, but I just forget!!! I know when I forget it takes a week or two to hit then my family notice before I do and I start taking them again...but I'm struggling to find the point in it if I have to keep going through it, and it seems unreasonable for me to ask my family to phone me every night.

Hmmm yep well I'm rambling now. I was diagnosed approx. 18 months ago also and am on lithium and ADs

I like being called 'non compliant', shows I've still kept my naughty side!

I have a little pill box (v trendy and says 'My Chill Pills' on it!), and at the beginning of the week I fill it up with my pills for a week. I don't tend to forget so much, but sometimes can't be bothered to sort them out each day, so the pill box helps. At the moment it only has my levothyroxine and antihistamine it it though!

My psych and I have decided that AD's are not suitable for me, as I have not got on with them before. It was decided that I would take an anti convulsant (can't remember the name!) as well as the Lithium, but I'm holding off because it can cause some pretty serious problems in pregnancy, and I would like to get pregnant ... eventually!

starnight_2

lolz

I have a pill box also, though it provides no help in reminding me to take meds, just shows what days I have forgotten!!! I'm still setting the alarm everday, it is so far the most effective method, though not very.

skipsmum

The pharmacist blister packs mine for me with the day and time so they are all separate. I have 5 different things and 4 times of day and I was getting really confused. Boots will do this for you. DH sets my phone alarms for me as well.

purplecatlover

my morning pills live on the counter beside my kettle so it is impossible to fail to see them which helps with remembering, only if i take them immediately i see them though. night pills live with cat treats in my bedside drawer, cats ask for treats so i cant miss my pills when sorting the cats out.

dmg24

purplecatlover wrote: »

my morning pills live on the counter beside my kettle so it is impossible to fail to see them which helps with remembering, only if i take them immediately i see them though. night pills live with cat treats in my bedside drawer, cats ask for treats so i cant miss my pills when sorting the cats out.

Someone else that relies on their cat to remind them! I take all of mine at night, and take them at the same time that I top up Moo's bowls of food (he has two - one in the kitchen and one in my bedroom!).

I keep my pill box very much 'on display', as it helps me remember. If anybody comes round and feels uncomfortable about it, I figure that is their problem?

On that note (and several hours too late) ... I'm off to take some pills!

lellie

dmg24 wrote: »

My psych and I have decided that AD's are not suitable for me, as I have not got on with them before. It was decided that I would take an anti convulsant (can't remember the name!) as well as the Lithium, but I'm holding off because it can cause some pretty serious problems in pregnancy, and I would like to get pregnant ... eventually!

ADs are no good for me either. Too many bad experiences to count.

I'm guessing the anti convulsant may be lamotrigine mentioning the pregnancy problems. It's okay as long as you come off it as soon as you know.

dmg24

lellie wrote: »

ADs are no good for me either. Too many bad experiences to count.

I'm guessing the anti convulsant may be lamotrigine mentioning the pregnancy problems. It's okay as long as you come off it as soon as you know.

Yep, that's the one! My psych is concerned that because my periods are so random (just like the rest of me!), I may not realise for a while, and so any potential damage could be done. It's a shame, because there has been research in the US that points to it helping with the weight management problem too!

asbokid, I'm sure you are trying to be helpful, but this thread is for support, not suggesting that people come off their meds. Your research has nothing to do with bipolar, and suggesting that people modify their diet rather than taking medication is very dangerous.

UKTigerlily

And for many, taking the meds is much better than not taking them! Without them i'd be dead, so I know which I prefer! Would you suggest to someone with Cancer to not take Chemo? I eat a perfectly healthy diet & still have multiple mh problems.