Bipolar support thread

Sueinbirmingham

I realise I leapt in too fast doing the know-all bit. I apologise.

de1amo

i get sent home like a naughty boy from school if i forget my morning meds(my wife and i own a school)--i am a nightmare of anguish and ferrocity by mid morning without, İ used to be unaware of it when i lived solo and forgot but now i am more aware of this change!---i often wonder what life is like under this veneer of medication but wouldnt risk finding out by stopping!!---i know i have stress cycles where my heart rate goes up for no apparent reason---a chinese doctor who was treating me for something not connected couldnt work out what was happening--i have had an ecg but there is no problem--my Bp is good---i meditate which does me a world of good

sarah*a

Sueinbirmingham wrote: »

.....So I think whether someone should be on medication and if so which is very much an individual matter, because the way in which bipolar manifests itself in us and what triggers it for us varies so much from person to person.

Oh I completely agree! When I decided to come off my meds I was 'thoroughly supported' (read: watched like a hawk :rotfl:) until everyone was agreed I had stabilised. I've had to agree that should I 'seriously' relapse I will allow my OH and my CPN (both of whom I trust with my life) to decide on the best course of action - and if that is being medicated then so be it.

I hope I can stay med free for life - but if I can't then I can't - at the moment it works for me, it may not forever and I know it never will for some people. I also know it only works for me because I have my life balance worked out to what I can cope with - I moved house 4 times to find the right 'atmosphere' Should anything major change I'll probably have to start back at the beginning :eek:

I will never allow them to put me back on Seroqual though - urggh - that stuff makes life like walking through treacle. I was happy with the Valproate (apart from the needles ) and haven't found an anti-d that doesn't send me loopy yet :rotfl:

Sueinbirmingham

ADs send me manic, too. It makes it difficult when the depression really sets in, because I'm just stuck with it until it passes, save for doing my best with non-medication strategies.

de1amo

prozac type of ADs sent me high but none of the other types--i have long forgotten the differences--i do wonder if my irritability if i dont take my morning meds--AD and carbamazipine is due to the lack of stabilisher or the AD??

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Sueinbirmingham wrote: »

I realise I leapt in too fast doing the know-all bit. I apologise.

Tis ok Sue. I have a lot to learn about this condition & any help & advice is always welcome.

Sueinbirmingham

Have you tried

MDF
Bipolar4All
Bipolaraware

RCPsych leaflets
Mind leaflets
Rethink info
BBC website health info

This is just a few suggestions.

My personal take on bipolar as I've touched on above is that it is a very varied condition, so I think it's worth rummaging around to find info that fits your experiences of it, and to meet people with a shared experience.

There are loads of forums/messageboards out there. Don't forget that in addition to UK ones there are forums in other countries that use English. It can be interesting to compare different approaches to treatment.

You might at some point want to read one or more books about it, but I'd suggest getting recommendations first, as they're all so varied.

Someone else upthread mentioned support groups. The MDF has groups all round England, and its equivalents have groups in Scotland and Wales. You can find the location of your nearest one on its website. Some mental health trusts also run groups and since they may not be at your nearest CMHT, it is worth asking.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I have already registered on the MDF forum, but I will check out your other recommendations

System

Sueinbirmingham wrote: »

ADs send me manic, too. It makes it difficult when the depression really sets in, because I'm just stuck with it until it passes, save for doing my best with non-medication strategies.

It's not just me then. Its frustrating as i feel i need an AD adding to my mood stabliser as the ms alone doesn't lift the depressive symptoms. Can i ask what techniques you use to cope with the depression?

sarah*a

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

It's not just me then. Its frustrating as i feel i need an AD adding to my mood stabliser as the ms alone doesn't lift the depressive symptoms. Can i ask what techniques you use to cope with the depression?

I sleep Ok - I know it sounds flippant but it is genuinely what I do. I'm lucky that my OH understands and supports me and just lets me take to my bed for a couple of days when needed. He feeds me and 'encourages' me to bathe but for a couple of days he just lets me sleep it off - hide under the duvet IYKWIM.

We also moved house - which helped. The previous 3 houses were just not comfortable (to me!) anywhere but the bedroom so thats where I stayed for 90% of the time - now, at the beginning and end of the dips, I can stay interactive with the family for longer periods and not lock myself away on my own for as long or as often - which really helps me with the 'recovery' time.

I can't afford to take anti-d's anymore - I either end up in hospital or Las Vegas :rotfl::o