Bipolar support thread

lellie

I just ignored asbokid as I'm fed up of hearing the anti-psychiatry lot going on about how drugs are evil and the product of BigPharma and we should all just go and eat a healthy diet and we'll all be cured. I see the posts have been deleted now anyway.

wheretheresawill

interesting stuff on this website re bipolar spectrum which is at present more an american diagnosis but will eventually make it to the UK!
https://www.psycheducation.org

wheretheresawill

Key to stability:
1. Take your meds! Mental illness is a combination of physical factors e.g. genetics, neurotransmitters; social factors and psychological factors

2. Try to decrease lifes stressors which can lead to relapse

3. Dont take on too much e.g extra work, family demands, friend demands
but

4. Family and friends are often a valuable support network also

5. Healthy diet and plenty of fresh air (not easy when you are in the depressed phase or the meds are knocking you out)

6. Sleep!! not too much, not too little. I aim for 8-10hrs a night andtry to get up at the same time even if I've got a day off and want to stay in bed for an extra hour or so

7. Routine - really important - keeps the mind occupied and keeps me well!

I too have had a shocking amount of weight gain, doesnt help that the only other drug which appears to help is olanzapine which piles on the poundage! I take mirtazapine + venlafaxine because its the depression thats my biggest problem, mirtazapine helps me sleep which has stabilised me. I have been well for 4 years now after 10yrs of illness and having my life turned upside down. I am now a psychiatric nurse myself! Apart from weight gain I have awful sweats and a very dry mouth (so i'm soaking on my body but totally dry in my mouth!!) but I now have a life so am willing to put up with the side effects as before I was so mentally & physically unwell that I was like the living dead....

8. most importantly have HOPE!!!!!!

wheretheresawill

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.

or may be sodium valproate which can cause foetal abnormalities

tazandtommy

Found out I had bipolar about 6mnts ago. I am starting olanzapine tomorrow as rispiridone made me REALLY ill. There is no longer a support group where I am so find it hard, not sure what can help or hinder me.

I am off sick at the mo, and work are being horrid. They are saying they are worried about me. But coming round to my house and constanly asking when I am coming back, what depart I want to go on isn't helping.
They have even offered me VR and when I said no they said they would give me VR plus extra (they say they are not trying to get rid of me). This week they came and asked if I would go to york to see there occupational health specialist.

I am worried he is going to say I am not fit enough to work so they can get rid of me.

dreamcatcher_7000

Blood tests are pretty important unfortunately, making sure that meds are at the right level and all.Diagnosed with bipolar 6 years ago.Just had a major league relapse, and had 22 cycles of ECT which is really not pleasant.However, that was mainly caused by me being stroppy and not taking my meds!!I have two little ones, and them seeing me like that....nope, think I'll stick to the meds!I take 13 a day, have my mobile alarm set to go off to remind me to take em.I have put on a government surplus of weight, in fact I look like I've eaten my old self!!!! But, I'd rather be fat and sane than skinny and mad!!Don't know if that helps anyone or not....its my first post on this site.

dmg24

dreamcatcher_7000 wrote: »

But, I'd rather be fat and sane than skinny and mad!!

Welcome to MSE dreamcatcher_7000! :T

You make a very good point about the weight issue - one I may use next time someone comments on my ever increasing size!

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Is it the medication which causes an increase in weight? Although I have never been diagnosed with Bi-polar, I am taking ADs & my weight gain has been a big shock to me.

dmg24

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

Is it the medication which causes an increase in weight? Although I have never been diagnosed with Bi-polar, I am taking ADs & my weight gain has been a big shock to me.

Some AD's cause weight gain, some cause weight loss. Bipolar 'patients' tend to be on other meds (as well as the AD's) that cause the weight gain. If you look at the leaflet that comes with your meds it should tell you if weight gain is a possible side effect.

dreamcatcher_7000

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

Is it the medication which causes an increase in weight? Although I have never been diagnosed with Bi-polar, I am taking ADs & my weight gain has been a big shock to me.

Which ones are you on?